菜单
国际教育网
搜索繁体
首页学校留学家长进修学习资源

Principal’s Perspective | Growth, Culture & Community｜成长、文化与共同体

深美SZSAIS

2025-12-25 09:06发布于广东

关注

As 2025 comes to an end, I have found myself reflecting on my arrival at SAIS in 2023, when the school was in an important transitional stage. Many staff members were new, systems were being re-established, and there was a clear need for shared direction and structure.

Establishing Direction and Professional Clarity


From the beginning, my focus was on creating clarity — around expectations, roles, and the kind of professional culture we wanted to build together. Strong school cultures do not emerge on their own. They are shaped intentionally through consistency, trust, and a clear sense of purpose.


Looking back now, what stands out most to me is how far the culture of SAIS has come.



1

From Isolation to 

Collaboration: A Cultural Shift


Over time, I have seen teachers move from working in isolation to working in collaboration. Classrooms have become spaces not only for students to learn, but for teachers to share ideas, reflect on practice, and support one another. Conversations about teaching are no longer just about what we teach, but about how and why we teach the way we do.


This kind of collaboration does not happen by chance. It grows when expectations are clear, when people feel safe to share, and when professional dialogue is encouraged. Seeing teachers exchange best practices, seek feedback, support one another, and learn together has been one of the most meaningful signs of progress at our school.


I have also seen a growing sense of confidence and ownership among our staff. Teachers take pride in their work, feel supported in their responsibilities, and understand how their role contributes to the wider school community. With clarity comes confidence — and with confidence comes stronger teaching and learning for students.


2

Validation Through 

Authorization and Accountability


An important milestone along this journey was our IB PYP authorization. The process required deep reflection, alignment, and consistency across teaching, assessment, and school culture. It asked us not only to articulate our beliefs about learning, but to demonstrate how those beliefs are lived out in classrooms every day. Achieving authorization was the result of sustained collaboration, shared understanding, and commitment from the entire school community.


Around the same time, our Cognia re-evaluation provided another opportunity for external reflection. The process offered professional feedback on our systems, teaching practices, and overall effectiveness as a school. Engaging openly in this review strengthened our shared sense of responsibility and professionalism, and reinforced the importance of continuous improvement.


3

A Stronger Community Built 

on Trust and Belonging


As our internal culture has strengthened, so too has the quality of our school experiences. Events feel more purposeful, classrooms feel more intentional, and the overall atmosphere of the school feels calmer and more connected. These changes may not always be immediately visible from the outside, but they are deeply felt by those who work and learn here every day.


Alongside this internal growth, there has also been a noticeable strengthening of our partnership with families. Parents are increasingly engaged, supportive, and invested in their children’s learning journeys. This shared commitment has helped shape a stronger educational community — one where trust, communication, and shared purpose support student growth.


At the heart of this journey is stability and belonging. Schools thrive when people feel respected, supported, and part of something meaningful. That sense of belonging allows teachers to invest fully in their work and students to feel safe and confident in their learning environment.

ess — skills that matter in today’s world.


Having worked with educators across different schools and contexts, I can say with confidence that our current team is one of the most committed, reflective, and collaborative teams I have had the privilege to work alongside. The professionalism, openness, and care shown by our teachers each day is what truly defines SAIS.



Reflection


As I reflect on my time at the school since 2023, I feel proud — not of any single initiative, but of the collective growth of our community. It has been a privilege to lead and learn alongside such dedicated educators. Progress in a school is never the result of one person, but of people choosing, every day, to grow together.



— Joseph Cirelli

Principal, Shenzhen American International School


About SAIS|关于深美

Shenzhen American International School (SAIS) was founded in 2005 and is an international school accredited by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China and the Guangdong Provincial Department of Education. The school is Cognia-accredited and officially recognized as an IB PYP Authorized School since 2025.


深圳市深美外籍人员子女学校（SAIS）成立于2005年，是一所经中华人民共和国教育部和广东省教育厅批准的国际学校，并通过了 Cognia 认证，2025年正式成为 IB PYP 学校。


SAIS provides high-quality international education from Early Childhood through Grade 12 for expatriate children, students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, as well as Chinese returnee families. Our academic framework integrates the American Common Core Standards, International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP),

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level

(A-Level) ,Singapore Mathematics, and the Chinese National Curriculum Chinese Language Standards, offering students a rigorous and diverse academic pathway.


SAIS 为外籍人士子女、港澳台学生以及海归家庭子女提供从学前班至高中十二年级的高质量国际教育。课程体系融合 美国共同核心标准（Common Core）、国际文凭课程（IB）、大学先修课程（AP）、英国的高中课程体系（A-Level）以及 新加坡数学 与 中国国家课程标准中文课程，为学生打造多元而严谨的学习路径。


As an official SAT and AP test center, SAIS emphasizes both academic excellence and holistic development. Situated next to Sihai Park, our campus features a 400-meter running track, football field, basketball courts, and other well-equipped sports facilities that support inquiry, exploration, and student growth.


作为 SAT 与 AP 考试考点，SAIS 不仅注重学术的深度与挑战，更重视学生的全面发展。校园毗邻四海公园，拥有 400 米环形跑道、足球场、篮球场及完善的运动设施，为孩子们的探究与成长提供充足空间。


Guided by our vision of “Empowering Future Leaders for a Borderless World,” SAIS upholds a “small but excellent” approach to education. Over the past two decades, the school has cultivated numerous globally-minded young citizens who are courageous explorers and collaborative thinkers with a strong sense of international responsibility.


在“培养未来领袖，创造无限未来”的愿景下，SAIS 始终坚持“小而精”的教育理念，二十年来培养了无数勇于探索、善于合作、具备全球视野的年轻公民。







随着 2025 年接近尾声，我不禁回顾起自己于 2023 年加入 SAIS 时的情景。那时，学校正处在一个重要的转型阶段。许多教职员工是新加入的，相关制度与系统正在重新建立，学校也迫切需要形成共同的方向与清晰的结构。

锚定方向，明晰专业路径


从履职之初，我便将 “建立清晰度” 作为核心工作 —— 明确各方期望、厘清角色分工，共同勾勒我们心中专业校园文化的蓝图。优秀的校园文化从非自发形成，而是需要以持之以恒的行动、互信共赢的默契与清晰笃定的目标，用心雕琢而成。


回望这段历程，最让我动容的，是 SAIS 校园文化的蜕变与成长。



1


从独行到同行：一场深刻的校园文化变革


随着时间的推移，我欣喜地见证着教师们从各自深耕转向协同共进。课堂不再只是学生求知的天地，更成为教师们交流教学心得、反思育人实践、彼此赋能支持的平台。关于教学的探讨，早已跳出 “教什么” 的表层，更深入叩问 “如何教” 的方法与 “为何这样教” 的初心。


这样的协作绝非偶然。它扎根于清晰的目标导向，生长于敢于坦诚分享的安全感，繁茂于深度专业对话的倡导。看见老师们主动分享最佳实践、积极寻求成长反馈、彼此支撑携手前行 —— 这正是学校发展最珍贵、最有力的进步印记。


与此同时，教师团队中也悄然生长出愈发浓厚的自信与主人翁意识。老师们以本职工作为荣，在履职中感受到坚实支撑，更明晰自身角色对整个校园社群的价值所在。方向清晰催生底气，而这份底气，最终会转化为惠及每一位学生的优质教与学。

2


以认证与问责实现专业认可


这段成长之路中，IB PYP（国际文凭小学项目）认证的顺利通过是里程碑式的跨越。这一过程要求我们在教学实施、评估体系与校园文化建设中深度复盘、理念对齐、行动协同，不仅要清晰阐释我们的育人信念，更要用日常课堂的实践，践行这些信念的真谛。认证的达成，离不开全体师生社群的持续协作、共识凝聚与坚定践行。


几乎同期，我们完成了 Cognia（国际学校认证机构）复评工作。这一外部评估为我们带来了针对学校制度建设、教学实践落地与整体办学效能的专业反馈。以开放坦诚的姿态迎接审视，不仅强化了团队的责任担当与专业素养，更让我们深刻体悟到 “持续改进” 对于学校发展的核心意义。

3


以信任与归属感构建更强大的学校共同体


随着内部文化的不断夯实，校园生活的质感也日益提升：校园活动更具深意，课堂教学更显用心，整体氛围也愈发平和融洽、紧密相连。这些变化或许难以从外部一眼察觉，但每一位日常在此学习、工作的 SAIS 人，都能深深体会到这份蜕变。


在内部成长的同时，我们的家校伙伴关系也愈发坚实。家长们愈发主动参与、全力支持，深度投入孩子的成长之旅。这份家校同心的坚守，正构筑起一个更加强韧的教育共同体 —— 在这里，信任为桥、沟通为纽带、共同目标为灯塔，一同托举学生的成长之路。


这一切的核心，是稳定感与归属感。当每一个人都能感受到尊重与支持，都能找到属于自己的价值归属时，学校方能真正焕发生机与活力。归属感让教师得以全身心投入育人事业，也让学生在安全笃定的环境中大胆探索、从容成长。


纵观我在不同学校、不同教育场景的从业经历，我可以笃定地说，如今的 SAIS 教师团队，是我有幸共事过的最具使命感、最善反思、也最懂协作的团队之一。正是老师们日复一日彰显的专业素养、开放胸襟与育人温情，才真正铸就了 SAIS 的精神内核。


回顾


回顾自 2023 年以来在 SAIS 的工作历程，我感到由衷的自豪——不是因为某一项单独的举措，而是因为整个社区所实现的共同成长。能够与这样一群敬业、专业的教育工作者一同领导、彼此学习，是一份真正的荣幸。学校的进步，从来不是某一个人的成果，而是所有人日复一日选择共同成长的结果。



— Joseph Cirelli

深美外籍人员子女学校校长


About SAIS|关于深美

Shenzhen American International School (SAIS) was founded in 2005 and is an international school accredited by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China and the Guangdong Provincial Department of Education. The school is Cognia-accredited and officially recognized as an IB PYP Authorized School since 2025.


深圳市深美外籍人员子女学校（SAIS）成立于2005年，是一所经中华人民共和国教育部和广东省教育厅批准的国际学校，并通过了 Cognia 认证，2025年正式成为 IB PYP 学校。


SAIS provides high-quality international education from Early Childhood through Grade 12 for expatriate children, students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, as well as Chinese returnee families. Our academic framework integrates the American Common Core Standards, International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP),

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level

(A-Level) ,Singapore Mathematics, and the Chinese National Curriculum Chinese Language Standards, offering students a rigorous and diverse academic pathway.


SAIS 为外籍人士子女、港澳台学生以及海归家庭子女提供从学前班至高中十二年级的高质量国际教育。课程体系融合 美国共同核心标准（Common Core）、国际文凭课程（IB）、大学先修课程（AP）、英国的高中课程体系（A-Level）以及 新加坡数学 与 中国国家课程标准中文课程，为学生打造多元而严谨的学习路径。


As an official SAT and AP test center, SAIS emphasizes both academic excellence and holistic development. Situated next to Sihai Park, our campus features a 400-meter running track, football field, basketball courts, and other well-equipped sports facilities that support inquiry, exploration, and student growth.


作为 SAT 与 AP 考试考点，SAIS 不仅注重学术的深度与挑战，更重视学生的全面发展。校园毗邻四海公园，拥有 400 米环形跑道、足球场、篮球场及完善的运动设施，为孩子们的探究与成长提供充足空间。


Guided by our vision of “Empowering Future Leaders for a Borderless World,” SAIS upholds a “small but excellent” approach to education. Over the past two decades, the school has cultivated numerous globally-minded young citizens who are courageous explorers and collaborative thinkers with a strong sense of international responsibility.


在“培养未来领袖，创造无限未来”的愿景下，SAIS 始终坚持“小而精”的教育理念，二十年来培养了无数勇于探索、善于合作、具备全球视野的年轻公民。



发文 0 评论

声明：本文内容为国际教育号作者发布，不代表国际教育网的观点和立场，本平台仅提供信息存储服务。

免费联系深美SZSAIS

联系学校

提交成功后可以直接一键联系学校哦!

快速匹配适合您孩子的学校

全国500所国际学校大全 / 3分钟匹配5-8所 / 1年名校升学备考托管服务

立即匹配

预约看校

提交
      在线咨询 电话咨询 入学测评