Principal’s Office: Mike Wing & Zachary Post of American International School
High School Principal Mr. Mike Wing
Can you tell us about your career?
Following a Gap year working and travelling in Africa and initial work experiences in the financial sector, I quickly learned that pursuing a career in Banking or Finance was probably not for me. I preferred working in a field that would allow me to support, guide and serve others around me. After working as a Youth & Community worker in inner city Liverpool, UK, I realised that working with children and particularly teens gave me a real sense of purpose and direction in my life. I then went back to University and trained as a teacher. Originally, I was a History teacher and loved prompting students’ investigative spirit to piece together the evidence to understand the story of our past. But over time, my joy in working with students and seeing their confidence grow prompted me to move into a role in leadership supporting and encouraging other teachers in their work with even more students. Being able to recruit and work with some of the best teachers from across the world has been a truly exciting part of being an International School Principal.
What brought you to Hong Kong?
After working in secondary schools in the UK, my wife and I pursued a passion to live in and learn from other countries and cultures and began a career in International Education. Having worked and lived in three different continents, we came to Hong Kong. As an internationally diverse and exciting city with delicious food, beautiful skylines and wonderful hiking trails to enjoy, this city quickly became a place we were happy to make as a more permanent home. We have enjoyed living in Hong Kong since 2005!
What attracted you to AIS?
I have worked with a variety of curriculum (British, IB and American) and found the flexibility of the American curriculum alongside all the benefits of an International education the best place for teens to grow and truly discover their own unique voice or passion. At AIS, there is every opportunity for students to excel, while allowing students to develop at their own pace. Furthermore, having choice with the classes they take each year in the American system seems to suit teens who need to explore and deepen their skills and interests by trying lots of new things. Additionally, the core values of Justice, Knowledge and Love, alongside the Expected Learning Results of AIS, including the focus on preparing students to be Global Citizens, really resonated with my own personal values and hopes for a school offering an international education. Our students have always impressed me so much with their care for each other and their desire to learn and make a positive difference in the lives of others. As a result, I love coming to work everyday at AIS.
Can you tell us about the High School curriculum at AIS?
Students pursue a broad and balanced curriculum during their four years of High School. Foundational courses developing critical skills and conceptual understanding may be followed by students in Grades 9 & 10 with more rigorous courses offered as a student progresses to a higher level. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered in all subject areas and provide ways for students to demonstrate their critical thinking, research, and academic strengths. Success in AP courses can earn students credit at universities in America, and tends to support students with acceptance to top tier universities all around the world. The beauty of the American system at AIS is that students can follow accelerated tracks and take AP courses whenever suitable, not just in their final year of High School. We are very proud of our students’ success in all subject areas. They have achieved some of the top results in the world for AP Art & Design and have even earned the AP Capstone Diploma a year before graduating. AIS students have also displayed high level skills in scientific research.
What’s the teaching philosophy?
Student centred, inquiry driven, and project based learning environments are what you experience at AIS. We provide students multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding and so do not rely on highly stressful tests and exams as a way for students to demonstrate their learning. All classes follow our S.P.A. approach, where all learning and teaching experiences are designed to be Social, Personal and Applied.
How are students involved in decision-making?
In the classroom, we encourage students to develop as critical thinkers and, as they mature through the High School years, to take ownership of their own learning so students will often be involved in decision making as they investigate and solve inquiries in their classes, either independently or in groups. Additionally, we provide numerous clubs for students to develop their organisation, communication and leadership skills. Furthermore, not only do we regularly survey our students to hear their opinions and receive their feedback, but our elected student leadership groups also represent their peers and advocate for the student voice with the school leadership.
A highlight at AIS is our Outdoor Education and Leadership Programme (OELP) which, firstly, provides students with opportunities to complete service learning projects and, secondly, to connect with different professionals and learn from different companies and industry leaders. These programmes help students to mature and grow their confidence as they learn more about themselves and the world around them. They develop as global citizens, as effective communicators, and develop leadership skills as they take on roles with decision making.
Middle School Principal Mr. Zachary Post
What led you to a career in teaching?
Since working as a camp counsellor during my university years, I have always considered it an honour to help young people learn and become the best they can be. The teaching profession was an excellent path for me to follow that offered a chance to focus my career on people and on creatively supporting their education. I have always been very grateful to work with children, their families, and my teaching colleagues in support of student-centred education.
Can you tell us about the Middle School curriculum at AIS?
The Middle School programme at AIS is grounded in providing our students with a well-rounded education that balances high academic achievement with social and emotional growth. The framework for teaching and learning builds from a commitment to our students becoming confident, engaged, and caring global citizens. A set of challenging curriculum standards taken from the United States are used to develop learning units and ensure a comprehensive programme. As an independent international school, we are able to take proven standards and the best international teaching practices to provide a dynamic and balanced international education.
At AIS, learning also extends beyond the classroom. We encourage students to become fully involved in the AIS community by actively participating in our challenging academic curriculum, as well as the many extracurricular activities offered, including after school programme, athletics, and our Outdoor Education and Leadership Programme (OELP).
What are the teaching values?
Everything we do at AIS is driven by our core values of Justice, Knowledge, and Love. Since the founding of the school 35 years ago, these values have been central to our work. The middle years are a critical, and exciting, time of transition from childhood to young adulthood. In the Middle School, we help students (age 10-14) successfully navigate that transition by providing an educational programme that holistically supports both academic success and positive personal growth. The students at AIS are eager to learn, explore new ideas, and express opinions as they develop their sense of independence and ability to increasingly shape their self-identity. Our nurturing environment is based on strong relationships and a sense of community.
What advice do you have for prospective parents?
I believe it is important to help children find ways to be involved in thinking about why they might want to join AIS. Have them spend some time on our website and discuss with them what aspects of the programme excite them, or what questions they have. I also think it’s great if students can join their parents at one of our online informational sessions.
What have you been most proud of over the past year?
Our Middle School community has kept our core value of love front and centre as we have gone through the challenges caused by the pandemic. We actively go out of our way to ‘Choose Kind’ and I am proud of our students and faculty for creating such a safe and supportive learning environment. I am also very proud that no matter what the situation, we have adapted and been agile so that our learning has remained engaging and comprehensive.
