By Kang Shin-who
The majority of internationals schools here in Korea are dominated by American or British teachers. Many also believed that Chadwick International, the first-ever American school in the Songdo Free Economy Zone would also be one of these schools.
However, Soleiman Dias, admissions director at the school stressed that prospective students will learn from teachers of various nationalities.
“Chadwick has a very diverse teaching staff from 12 different countries with a comprehensive international background. Chadwick’s education is not American, British or Korean but promotes global mindedness to every member of our student body,” Dias said.
In an interview with The Korea Times, the director, who has been in Korea for over 10 years and is also an honorary citizen of Seoul, was sure that parents and students would learn from the school about the importance of experiences on a global scale and the richness of international educators.
The following is a brief Q&A session with the Brazilian veteran educator, who has taught at international schools in four countries over 21 years.
Q: Why do you think there is so much debate about international schools in Korea?
A: On a positive side, the debate comes from the passion Koreans have for education and their desire to excel in every field they are in. I strongly believe it was the dynamic nature of Koreans that drove this country to where it stands now, despite the harsh historical experiences of occupation, a devastating war and the constant threat from the North. Personally, this is one the reasons why Korea and Koreans captivate me so much. Maybe more so because of my Latin blood. We do have some things in common. Nowadays, I see some initial changes on how parents from Korean and elsewhere perceive education. They are looking now for a more global mindedness as the main goal of international education. First and foremost international schools must enrich our students’ life experiences and better prepare them for an unknown future. Parents must reflect on what they are ultimately looking for in a school for their children, and try to find the best match.
Q: What differentiates Chadwick International from all other schools?
A: Chadwick International has a strong team of faculty members who truly believe in the school’s core values of honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness and compassion. I personally think we should all have a belief, whether it is spiritual or as a more individual mission.
Unlike many franchised international schools in Asia, Chadwick International is a one school-two campus system with close bonds between faculty, student body and parents’ associations. Immediately upon our school opening, we were fortunate to have visits from both the student body and parents’ organizations from our sister school in California. Despite the geographical constraints, the two schools firmly share the common belief on the true purpose of education, which are academic excellence and the development of self confidence with exemplary character. At both Chadwick campuses, all three parties involved in education ― faculty, students and parents ― possess firm ownership over the learning taking place at the school. Thirty-five faculty members at Chadwick International ―with an average of 16 years of experience each in education at international schools, including myself ― arrived in Songdo even before the school was officially opened, which is very unique among international schools. We all shared a firm belief that the school would be able to become a model for other institutions in the future.
Q: How do you plan to cope with the Korean students in your classes?
A: In our classroom, children construct their learning, and we do not classify them as Koreans, Americans or British, but as true learners. Since the class sizes are small, our learners ― led by a highly qualified teaching staff with a solid international background ― experience natural learning through projects and diversified activities. It is pointless to classify them according to their ethnic backgrounds or appearances. We actually believe that such solid ties with the host country do not interfere with a globalized learning experience we are attempting to offer at Chadwick International.