專訪IVY學術校長| 讓學生通過實驗和探究獲得知識

John Hamill，畢業(yè)于紐卡斯爾大學，獲得醫(yī)學微生物學和免疫學的學士學位，后又獲得教育學碩士學位。曾在杭州某國際學校任教并擔任學術主任多年，這段經(jīng)歷點燃了John對教學和科學的熱情。來到常春藤國際學校以后，John教授生物學的同時擔任學術校長，此間John多次發(fā)表學術研究，并成立了Eco-Rep Club，帶領學生進行江豚解剖、有機化肥制作等課外實踐活動，幫助學生提升學術背景，同時也提高了學校辦學質量。

01

問：您是怎么走上教育行業(yè)的？

John:  I had from a young age, always taken pleasure in sharing my knowledge with people and had been told that I have both the patience and ability to explain difficult concepts when people are struggling. As such, my career advisor suggested to me during my own high school education that I consider teaching in the future. However, at the time I did not take his advice. Instead, I followed my love for biology, and worked for a few years in the Clinical Diagnostics industry only to find my passion lay elsewhere. As such, in 2012 I decided to move my life to China and finally begin my teaching career.

我從小就喜歡和別人分享我的知識，大家認為我是一個有耐心且樂于助人的人。因此，在我還上高中時，我的職業(yè)顧問就建議我考慮將來教書。然而，當時我并沒有采納他的建議。而是追隨了自己對生物學的熱愛，在臨床診斷學行業(yè)工作了幾年后，卻發(fā)現(xiàn)自己的興趣在生物教學上。2012年，我決定將我的生活轉移到中國，并最終開始我的教學生涯。

02

問：您在常春藤國際學校工作的心路歷程是什么？

John: After working in Hangzhou for 5 years, honing my teaching skills and developing managerial experience, I made the move to Shandong, Weihai and IVY school in January 2017. I began my service in IVY as the biology teacher for students taking the A-level course. At that time, there wasn’t an  IGCSE course and I was keen to get one started. By the beginning of September 2017, we had established 3 new Biology classes, MS9, IG and AS-Level. After a year of service, I was given the honour of representing the school in a new position as Deputy Principal. I am now currently serving as the Academic Principal.

最初我在杭州的一所國際學校工作了5年，在此期間提高了自己的教學技能并積累了管理經(jīng)驗。2017年1月，我移居到了山東省威海常春藤國際學校，從學校的生物老師做起，為選修A-level課程的學生授課。當時沒有IGCSE課程，我希望學校開設此課程體系。到目前為止我們已經(jīng)建立了MS9、IG和AS-Level三個新的生物課程體系，我也有幸擔任學校學術校長一職。目前我是常春藤的學術負責人。

03

問：您認為一個優(yōu)秀的教師應當具備哪些能力和素質？

John: A good teacher can inspire hope and interest in their students for their subject and the extra curricular activities that they lead in the school. A good teacher is always prepared to go the extra mile, to present content in such as way that is relevant and engaging for students. When thinking about the qualities of a good teacher, I am reminded of the quote by William Arthur Ward,“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”

一個好的老師可以激發(fā)學生對所學學科和課外活動的渴望與興趣。優(yōu)秀的教師總是準備做更多的工作，以最適合學生的方式去呈現(xiàn)教授內(nèi)容。正如威廉·阿瑟·沃德的那句話：好的教師去解釋，優(yōu)秀的教師去示范，而偉大的教師去鼓舞人心。

04

問：如何看待教師與學生的關系？

John: The relationship between student and teacher is a complex one, so I will only mention three aspects of the teacher-student relationship. Teachers on one level represent the parent figure. By spending a large proportion of time with the students throughout their academic career, teachers provide advice and moral guidance that helps to shape the students outlook and personalities for life. Teachers also represent social justice. How a teacher implements their behavior management in the classroom instills values; a sense of fairness or inequality in their students - this aspect of teaching presents the biggest challenge for many teachers. Teachers also represent the friend figure. Teachers and students become close, sharing many experiences together through each semester, sharing highs and lows, solving problems together and learning from each other.

學生與教師的關系是一個復雜的關系，這里我只會提到師生關系三個層面的內(nèi)容。第一層面，教師代表了父母的形象，在學生的整個學術生涯中，教師花費大量的時間與學生在一起，為學生提供建議和道德指導，幫助學生形成正確的人生觀和世界觀；第二層面，教師代表了社會正義，教師要在課堂上進行管理，為學生傳授正確的價值觀念，樹立學生的公平感，這方面的教學對許多教師來說也是最大的挑戰(zhàn)；第三層面，教師也代表著朋友的形象，通過分享各種好的和壞的學習與生活經(jīng)驗，一起解決問題并互相學習，可以讓師生關系變得更加親密。

05

問：請您從國際教育的角度談談常春藤的教學和管理特色？

John: At IVY, we endeavor to provide a healthy emphasis on not simply a sequential presentation of ideas and concepts, rather provide an active and continual constructive process to education. We adopt a student centric pedagogical approach to promote higher-order thinking skills and foster collaborative learning. Engaging learners in experimental learning, they have a personal stake in the process enabling them to connect to the material and thus become truly educated. From a management perspective, the faculty also embodies the ideals of the prominent scholar John Dewey “Education is life itself”, by engaging not only with instruction but also through continual professional development and collaboration.

在常春藤，我們努力為學生提供積極且持續(xù)的具有建設性過程的教育，而不僅僅是一系列簡單的想法和概念的介紹。我們采用以學生為中心的教學方法來促進其高階思維能力并鼓勵合作學習，倡導他們在實驗學習過程中獲得個人認知，并在體驗中收獲真正的教育。從管理的角度來看，教師也體現(xiàn)了著名學者約翰·杜威(John Dewey)“教育即生活”的理念，不僅要參與到教學實踐中，而且進行持續(xù)專業(yè)的發(fā)展與合作。

06

問：常春藤學生有很多被知名的海外高校錄取，您認為學校是如何做到這一點的？

John: The international experience and expertise provided by our teaching staff provide a plethora of knowledge and teaching methods for IVY students. The benefits of having teachers from varied locations around the world expose our students to different perspectives and points of view, enabling the development of a rich 21st century objectivity to the world, necessary to foster the leaders of tomorrow. Up to date teaching methodologies such as fostering a ‘culture of error’ in the classroom; students are encouraged to voice an opinion, even if it is wrong. Strong academic instruction through CAIE programs; extra curricular activities promoting engagement in the scientific method and personal development culminating in ASDAN, INTEL ISEF and STEAM competitions - students become strong, independent individuals with a sharp and informed opinion on the world around them. Additional guidance throughout the application process provided by our College Councilors ensures full and professional personal statements and university applications. The result, competitive students attaining placements at top universities.

常春藤的教學人員所具備的國際經(jīng)驗和專業(yè)知識為學生提供了豐富的知識和學習方法。來自世界各地的教師的不同視野和觀點讓我們的學生受益匪淺，使學生對21世紀的世界有了更為豐富而客觀的了解，這對培養(yǎng)未來的領導者是必要的。我們采用最新的教學方法，例如在課堂上培養(yǎng)一種“錯誤文化”，即鼓勵學生發(fā)表自己的觀點，即使這個觀點是錯誤的。我們也會通過CAIE課程對學生著重進行學術指導，在課外活動（如ASDAN、INTEL ISEF和STEAM比賽等）中讓學生運用科學方法并實現(xiàn)個人的發(fā)展，最終使學生成為強大、獨立的個體，形成一個敏銳并有見地的世界觀。在整個申請大學過程中，我們的升學指導顧問為學生進行升學指導，以確保學生具備完整和專業(yè)的個人陳述進行大學申請。最終，常春藤很多學生被世界頂尖大學錄取。

07

問：在常春藤有什么讓您難忘的事？

John: My fondest memories at IVY have to be those surrounding the founding of the ECO-REP club and the dolphin dissection. It is heartwarming to see students so engaged, so motivated to take action surrounding the issue of environmental protection and conservation. The world has many problems; economic, political, ethical, racial – but the environment truly unites us all. I truly hope that this next generation can learn from our mistakes and take better care of the earth, so as their children can enjoy a safe, clean, healthy and productive world, into the future.

我在常春藤最美好的記憶就是關于環(huán)保俱樂部和海豚解剖課題的建立?？吹綄W生們?nèi)绱送度?，并積極地圍繞環(huán)境保護問題展開行動，這令人感動。世界上存在著很多問題，比如經(jīng)濟、政治、倫理、種族問題等等，但環(huán)境保護確實將我們所有人團結在一起。我真誠地希望下一代能從我們的錯誤中吸取教訓，更好地保護地球，讓子孫后代能夠在未來享受一個安全、清潔、健康和生產(chǎn)力發(fā)達的世界。

08

問：談一談對威海這座城市的感受？

John: I enjoy living in Weihai very much. Regarding the previous question, I love how Weihai represents that clean, and safe environment I mentioned. The location of our school is of particular delight for me. Arriving on campus each day to blue skies, white clouds and the beautiful coastline and sea never gets old. I appreciate it every day.

我非常喜歡住在威海。如前面提到的，我喜歡威海，因為這個城市干凈又安全。我特別喜歡常春藤的地理環(huán)境，可以每天在校園里看到藍天、白云、美麗的海岸線和永恒的大海。對此我每天都心存感激。

09

問：對學生的寄語

John: To the students, I would like to say this: Find out what you enjoy in life. Get involved in the extra curricular activities and events taking place on campus. Get some hobbies. Studying can seem monotonous at times, I agree. But when you decide to enroll at university and come out with a major that can get you a job in a sector that you have a passion for, going to work does not feel like going to work. That’s why it is important that you find your passion. Be proactive. When you leave high school, no one will be forcing you to do your homework or engage with your peers. Education really is life itself, and you should grab the opportunities presented to you with both hands and leap forward into your future with pride and energy. I know that you all have special interests and talents inside of you, you just need to find and unleash your potential – and then, nothing can stand in your way.

我想對學生們說，一定要找到你喜歡的生活。積極參與校內(nèi)的課外活動，找到自己的興趣愛好。盡管學習有時似乎很單調，但當你決定上大學，且畢業(yè)后能選擇一個讓你感興趣的領域并努力工作，你就不會感到枯燥無味了。這就是為什么找到你的興趣很重要。當你高中畢業(yè)以后，沒有人會強迫你做作業(yè)或者和你的同齡人交往。教育其實就是生活本身，你應該緊緊抓住你面前的機會，信心滿滿地跨進你的未來。我知道你們每個人都有特殊的興趣和天賦，你們只需要找到并釋放你們的潛力，這樣就沒有什么能阻擋你們的道路。