On Friday August 19, Tsinghua International School (THIS) held a reception and opening ceremony for the 2011-2012 academic year. Students, parents and faculty joined together to listen to inspiring speeches by Principal Shi Ping, Vice Principal Maxine Klimasara, Director of the Secondary Division Martha Oriz, 12th Grade student Angela Sun, and keynote speaker Yong Zhao – the Presidential Chair and Associate Dean for Global Education, College of Education at the University of Oregon.
Keynote speaker Yong Zhao began, "How do you know if you’ve made the right choice?" To which he answered that we can’t know immediately if we’ve made the right choice. In the end, he feels it’s not about grades, which can demotivate individuals. Rather, based on the fact that every student is different, we should offer them different options and outlets through which to succeed – in other words, a variety of activities to "broaden their experience." And with these options, they should be able to expand and feel – and be encouraged to do so.
So here’s to another great year at Tsinghua International School – of exploring and expanding!
