AIS introduces two new principals as the school year begins

American International School (AIS) is delighted to announce recent updates to its Leadership Team. This year, Dr Aaron Baumgartner, a seasoned AIS administrator, has been promoted to the role of Elementary Principal, while Mr Andrew Ris has joined the team as the new High School Principal. Both leaders bring strong leadership to the school, with Dr Baumgartner also providing continuity within the AIS community. We caught up with Dr Baumgartner and Mr Ris to find out more about their plans for the school year ahead. 

Meet High School Principal, Mr Andrew Ris

Can you tell us about your career?

Both of my parents were independent school teachers, and I often reflect on their examples when considering the best interests of the school communities I have served. I began my professional career at a well-regarded bilingual school in Shanghai before moving to an innovative boarding school in Hawaii. Most recently, I served at a small but successful K-12 international school in Seoul.

My career has primarily taken place in the Asia Pacific region. The diverse cultures, cuisine, and vibrant sights continue to inspire me after all these years. Returning to a more Chinese environment was a priority for my family, and while we had never lived here before, we had visited Hong Kong many times. The city’s vibrancy and opportunities, along with the core values of AIS, have made it an excellent fit for us.

What attracted you to AIS?

There were numerous factors that drew me to AIS. My initial meeting with Head of School Ms. Anita Simpson and several members of the leadership team left a strong impression. They demonstrated that AIS is led by an experienced, impressive, and supportive group of colleagues with whom I could both contribute and learn.

Moreover, I was encouraged to see that many teachers have been with AIS for several years—often a decade or more—indicating a stable and well-grounded community. The K-12 structure and strong partnerships with parents also appealed to me, as did the forward-thinking educational goals that focus on pedagogy while maintaining a caring emphasis on student well-being, aligning closely with my own values.

Can you tell us about the high school curriculum?

While it may seem simplistic, the Future Framework truly encapsulates our approach: we lead with Justice, Knowledge, and Love. I see this reflected in our decision-making and curricular choices. In each classroom I have visited, learning activities are designed to be social, personal, and applied in unique and creative ways. Our various programs, from OELP to Infinity Week and extracurricular activities to student leadership opportunities, ensure that students develop impactful and formative skills.

We take a forward-thinking approach to technology integration, fostering confidence and belonging within a close-knit and supported student body.

On a more foundational level, we offer an American-influenced curriculum with a standards-based grading model and an impressive selection of required, honours-level, and elective courses. We provide over 20 different Advanced Placement (AP) course options, allowing motivated students to earn various AP Scholar distinctions and awards. Our robust advisory program for grades 9 through 12 emphasises college and university counselling, and we take pride in the excellent universities our graduates have attended over the past 38 years. In just my second month here, I’ve already met several enthusiastic alumni eager to return and share their experiences!

What expectations do you have for yourself, your teachers and students?

This is a great question! I strive to be fair and attentive, always prioritising the best interests of students. My goal is to foster a positive environment for everyone in our school community, including students, parents, families, teachers, and staff. While this can be more complex than it seems, I am committed to that objective.

For teachers, my expectations extend beyond creating a safe and welcoming classroom environment. I hope they come prepared each day with intentional, diverse, and engaging learning opportunities. I am pleased to say that I have consistently been impressed with our faculty’s creativity and commitment—thank you to our dedicated teachers!

As for AIS students, I expect them to be kind and friendly while embracing appropriate challenges. Growth in confidence comes from trying new things and recognizing that they are often more capable than they initially believe. I encourage each student to push themselves in meaningful ways during their high school journey.

What have you been most proud of over the past year?

At my previous school, we completed the fourth year of an experiential service and internship learning program. This three-week program, which took shape as pandemic restrictions eased, was a notable success, particularly this past June. I take pride in having left that school community on solid footing as I transitioned to my new role.

More recently, I am proud of my family’s move to a new city and our progress in establishing our living and logistics needs. I’m also proud of myself for approaching this new chapter with an open and enthusiastic mindset. Overall, I feel fortunate to be immersed in this wonderful community and to forge meaningful connections with new colleagues, students, and community members. (I’m still working on remembering all the names of our high school students, though!)

Meet Elementary School Principal, Dr Aaron Baumgartner

What led you to a career in teaching? 

Initially, I aspired to be a teacher when I started college. However, in my last two years, I received advice suggesting that teaching would not be financially rewarding, which led me to switch my major to business management. After graduating with a degree in business management, I became an assistant manager at a bank. Unfortunately, during the housing crisis, my bank announced it would close, prompting me to reevaluate my career path. I realised that teaching and travelling had always been my true passions.

On a snowy day, I came across an advertisement for teaching job interviews in Japan at New York University (NYU). My mother and I drove up to NYU, where I attended the interview and subsequently accepted my first teaching position in Japan in 2006. Since then, I have fallen in love with education, earning multiple licences, certificates, a master’s degree, and a doctorate in the field. Now, I sleep soundly knowing I am in a fulfilling profession.

Can you tell us about the Elementary and Early Childhood curriculum?

The Elementary and Early Childhood education programs at AIS focus on experiences that foster a love and passion for learning. We strive to ensure that students leave school each day excited to return and eager to share their experiences with family and friends.

Our priority is to help students grow emotionally and to embody the Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRs): becoming Empowered Thinkers, Effective Communicators, Global Citizens, and Well-rounded Individuals. To achieve this, we provide opportunities for students to venture off-campus and understand the connection between school and the world around them.

We aim to create an environment that supports students, helping them feel comfortable, confident, and a sense of belonging as they embark on their educational journey.

What are your goals this academic year?

My primary hope for this year is that students will take pride in their achievements and recognize their growth. I want to hear them express excitement about their accomplishments with statements like, “Did you see what I did?” or “Come look at this!”—demonstrating their confidence and pride.

Additionally, I hope students will acknowledge their progress by saying, “Now I can do this, which I wasn’t able to do before.” Such reflections will help them appreciate the value of their hard work and effort in their educational journey.

What have you been most proud of over the past year? 

While I do not take personal pride in achievements, as I believe accomplishments are a collective effort, I am proud of several significant developments within the school. Notably, we adapted applied learning principles and established standards for the number of times students leave campus to explore their surroundings. We also created a STEAM room, allowing students to engage in robotics, computer-aided drafting, green screens, stop motion, and more. Lastly, I take pride in the school’s continuous pursuit of improvement over the years.

What is a typical day like at AIS?

A typical day at AIS is characterised by smiles, laughter, curiosity, and joy. Students demonstrate confidence as they introduce themselves, greet others, and engage with inquiries about their activities. They do so with a sense of belonging and an understanding that they are part of a larger community that genuinely cares about their development and growth.

What advice do you have for prospective parents?

I encourage parents to remember that selecting a school is a two-way interview process. While you are assessing the school for your student, ensure that it aligns with your family’s beliefs and goals. Take the time to observe an active classroom and engage with students, as a brief visit will provide far more insight than studying a school’s website.

American International School, 125 Waterloo Rd, Kowloon Tong, 2336 3812