约翰∙奈恩John Nairn
青苗国际双语学校威海校区创校校长
John Nairn was born and raised on a farm in Scotland.His school years were spent at Milesmark Primary School and Queen Anne High School both in Dunfermline,Fife,Scotland.He would be the first to admit that he wasn't an exceptional student,just doing enough to pass his homework assignments and exams,and getting into trouble with his teachers and school administrators for his daredevil antics.Farming wasn't for him so he packed his bags and began his on the job training experiences with a number of short term positions within the industries before becoming a van boy with a tobacco and confectionery distribution company and ultimately holding the position of Assistant Production Manager before a rugby accident forced him to rethink his life long learning journey.To the surprise of many,especially his former teachers he returned to academia as his therapy while recovering from the accident.During this time he managed to chalk up Higher Grades in Modern Studies and English,Higher National Certificates,a diploma in Legal Studies and a Bachelor of Arts(Hons)in Retail Business.After a number of years of classroom teaching and during his fledgling years in the area of Educational Leadership,John realized that there was a need to evaluate and review his educational practices by returning to academic studies with Nottingham University in the United Kingdom.During these studies John achieved his Post Graduate Certificate in Education(International)and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Management with distinction.
John has now amassed nearly twenty five years of International Educational studies and experience in Europe and Asia with the past eleven years being in China where he has participated in four verification/authorization journeys and an evaluation with the IBO,and an accreditation visit by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges(WASC).Until this summer he was the Elementary School Principal/PYPC at the Beanstalk International Bilingual School(BIBS)Shunyi Campus in Beijing,but he is now the Founding Principal at its Weihai Campus in Shandong Province,China.
Ironically,as John noted,while many of his colleagues were pushing him to accept the challenge of founding a new school during the current global pandemic,others were questioning his sanity.John’s response was that this was the right time to plant a new seed of hope for the future,and what better way than to open a new centre of international bilingual learning in the Nanhai New Area in Weihai.John expressed his admiration for the Chinese people in the way they have come together to fight the virus no matter how inconvenient the containment and prevention measures were.His only regret was that other nations have not followed a similar path towards fighting the virus.He noted,that in ten or twenty years from now BIBS could look back on one of the darkest years in recent history and recall how it stood with the Chinese people and continued with its dream of opening its seventh BIBS campus in China despite the many challenges brought about by the virus.John got very emotional when he said that he was so honoured to have been chosen to lead the BIBS Weihai team during these exceptional times.
John mentioned that the new addition to the BIBS family,the Weihai campus,in Nanhai is situated on the Gold Coast in Shandong Province,China.Its location is ideal for a number of significant reasons;it is placed within travelling distance from Wendeng,Shidao,Weihai,Yantai,and Qingdao,it is part of the Agile’s Champion Town project which incorporates a sports town and Olympic stadium,it is next to the coast line and is surrounded by forest parks and scenic walkways.This ideal location provides for an adventurous,authentic and holistic learning environment for our students.
Over the past eleven or so years,John mentioned that the question he is asked over and over again is;Why did you come to China?He noted that the familiar questions of Where are you from?How old are you?and Are you married?have ceased over the years.Jokingly,he suggested that his good looks had faded as well with the years.John’s choice of China as a place to live and work was not actually his alone.John recalled that back in the Summer of 2009 he was looking for a new opportunity to teach and learn about the culture of his next stop in his lifelong educational learning journey.Having spent weeks participating in interviews he had made up his mind to work in the Middle East.That was until his daughter Angela asked him to consider working in Shanghai,China as it was closer to home,that being the Philippines than the Middle East.Both John’s wife Merle and his daughter Angela encouraged him to apply for the teaching position in Shanghai and wait for their response before signing the contract with the school in the Middle East.Thankfully,the Shanghai school responded quickly,and John accepted their offer.Thus,began John’s Chinese journey.He arrived in Shanghai during their Expo.John explained that he felt in familiar surroundings having spent time working and living in Japan and South Korea.Upon the completion of his contract in Shanghai he moved to Chengdu then to Zhuhai,where Merle and Angela joined him.Merle worked with a local University as an English Lecturer and Angela began her International Baccalaureate(IB)Diploma studies.At the completion of John’s Zhuhai contract,he decided to accept an offer as the Elementary School Principal/PYPC at the Beanstalk International Bilingual School(BIBS)Shunyi Campus in Beijing.Whilst,with considerable pride John mentioned that Angela had chosen to remain in China and further her studies with Nottingham University in Ningbo.John expressed the view that his love affair with China had developed into a family love affair as well.
When answering the question,Why did you choose to come to Nanhai New Area,Weihai?John explained that his past assignments had been based on friendships that had been established within China and the IB World since his arrival in Shanghai back in the summer of 2009.Similar to John’s choice to come to China,which was guided by the wishes of his family,his move to Nanhai,Weihai was initiate by Principal Shi the Founder and Chairperson of the Beanstalk Education Group.John explained that he tends to listen and reflect upon the views of those around him before agreeing to issues,making choices or accepting new assignments.Thus,his moved to Nanhai,Weihai was due to the accumulated views of those around him that it was time for John to be shackled with the challenges of founding a new BIBS school.
Even although it has only been three months since Merle and John’s arrival in Nanhai,Weihai they have settled into their new rural lifestyle very quickly.Ironically,John noted that they feel more at home in Nanhai,Weihai than any other place they have lived or worked to date as it reminds them so much of their lovely family home in the Philippines.John also mentioned that they appreciate the beautifully landscaped parks and roads,miles upon miles of running tracks and beaches,and what struck them most at first was less traffic on the roads.As a new town Nanhai New Area is positioned to become a sports hub in China.But even with this in mind John said it was interesting to note the laid-back lifestyle of the locals.Especially with exercise being such a big part of the locals’way of life.With is eyes focused on his waistline John joked that finally he might find some time to reduce his waistline.John noted that having worked in big cities like Shanghai,Chengdu and Beijing,even with the wonderful advances China has made to reduce its cities pollution levels,Nanhai has the freshest air he has experienced outside of his birth hometown in Scotland.Particularly with its fresh seafood,and abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables.John recalled that once,one of his students had told him that Chinese provinces and cities are associated with particular foods,and he is sure that Weihai must be the seafood capital of China.As an aging couple John noted that Merle and he could not have chosen a more delightful and friendlier place than Nanhai,Weihai to prepare themselves for their twilight years.
When asked about his educational philosophy,John mentioned that he had been fortunate enough to have experienced a great transition in the global educational sector over his lifetime as both a student and administrator.As a product of the traditional production line educational systems of the past,which definitely did not meet his own out of the box needs,he is proud to have been,and still is an advocate for changing our educational philosophies from their narrow perspectives of being either traditional or international towards becoming more global in their thinking.That is why he feels so at home with the BIBS educational model because it is authentic in its creation,having been created by openminded educational practitioners and leaders over a number of years based on their actual educational experiences within an international bilingual learning environment that is seeking to encourage globally minded citizens of the future.
“Students do not fail;Schools fail to meet the needs of their students”.
约翰奈恩在苏格兰的一家农场出生和长大。他在苏格兰法夫郡的丹弗姆林镇的麦乐斯马克小学和安妮女皇高中完成了学业。他并不是如大家最初所期望那样的一个好学生，完成作业和考试及格对他来说就万事大吉，约翰常因为胆大妄为的古怪举动给老师和学校的行政人员制造麻烦。农场生活并不是他所渴望的，因此他收拾行囊，开始了他的职业生涯，他曾在工业区做各种短期工作，后来为一家烟草和糖果供应商当货车司机，并最终获得产品经理助理的职位。后来，一场橄榄球意外导致他重新考虑开启他的终身学习之旅。约翰在做恢复治疗时重拾学业，令众人感到非常惊喜，尤其是以前教他的老师。在这段时间，他在现代研究和英文上获得高等学分，取得英国国家高级证书，同时也获取了法律研究的大专文凭，零售业学荣誉硕士学位。经过多年的教学和教育管理，他羽翼渐丰。当约翰认识到自己需要通过学习来评估和检讨自己的教学实践生涯后，他进入英国诺丁汉大学开始另一段的学习之旅。这段学习时光，让他以优异的成绩获得国际教育学研究生证书和教育领导与管理学硕士学位。
约翰目前在欧洲和亚洲已经积累了近25年的国际教育经验。在过去的11年里，他一直在中国工作，并参与了国际文凭组织IBO的四次核查和授权，及一次评估活动。直到这个夏天之前，约翰在青苗国际双语学校北京顺义校区担任小学校长和PYP协调员，而现在他担任中国山东省青苗威海校区的建校校长。
约翰强调青苗国际双语学校威海校区是青苗国际双语学校大家庭的新成员，坐落于中国山东省的黄金海岸。它的地理位置因诸多原因显得非常理想；它距离文登，石岛，威海，烟台和青岛都很近，它是雅居乐体育小镇项目的一部分，该项目包含了一个体育小镇和一个奥林匹克体育馆。紧邻海岸线，周围环绕着森林公园和风景优美的步道。这一理想的地理位置给我们的学生提供了一个冒险，真实和全面全人的学习环境。
令人觉得滑稽的，约翰提到，在目前疫情席卷全球的情况下，很多同事激励他去接受创建一个新学校的挑战，另外一些则质疑他是否神志不清。而约翰却认为在此时，在威海南海新区创建一间国际双语学习中心，是为未来栽下新的希望种子的最佳时机和正确做法。约翰对中国民众不介意封城隔离和各种预防措施给生活带来的不便，能够众志成城，齐心协力地对抗病毒表达了自己的倾佩之情。但让他感到遗憾的一点是其他国家没有采取跟中国类似的办法来抗击疫情。当约翰提到，BIBS在10年或20年后，回首这段人类近代历史中最黑暗的时光，回溯它跟中国人民一起在面对疫情挑战的同时，在抗疫的艰难时段里，依然继续实现梦想，创办了第七间学校，而他身为BIBS威海创校团队的领导者，他深感荣耀。
在过去11年左右的时间里，约翰多次被人询问：“你为什么来中国？”还有类似的问题：你从哪里来？你多大了？你结婚了吗？约翰打趣地说不是他颜值随着年龄增长而降低了。约翰其实并不是一个人在中国工作和生活。他回忆起2009年夏天，那时他正在寻找下个教学和学习不同文化的机会，以继续他的终身教育学习之旅。他花了几周面试，而且基本倾向于去中东工作。直到他的女儿安吉拉建议他可以考虑在上海工作，因为中国离他在菲律宾的家比中东更近一些。约翰的妻子茉莉和他的女儿鼓励他申请上海的教职，让他在签约中东学校之前耐心等待回复。谢天谢地，上海学校的回复非常快，约翰接受了这份工作。自此，约翰开启了他的中国之旅。他在世博会期间抵达上海，约翰觉得周围环境对他来说非常熟悉，跟他在日本和韩国工作和生活时类似。上海的工作合约结束后，他又转战成都，后来又去了珠海，在那里妻子茉莉和女儿安吉拉前来团聚。茉莉在当地大学当英文讲师，而安吉拉开始修读IB课程。当珠海的工作合约完成后，约翰接受青苗国际双语学校北京顺义校区的工作，担任小学校长的职位。在提到安吉拉选择留在中国并在宁波诺丁汉大学继续深造时，约翰一脸骄傲。他认为在潜移默化中，他个人对中国的喜爱促使他一家人也喜欢上中国。
当面对人们的疑问：“你为什么选择威海南海新区？”时，约翰解释道，自2009年到达上海后，他过去所有的工作任务都是以在中国和IB世界之间建立友谊链接为基础的。他选择到中国工作是因为家人的期望。相似的，他之所以来到威海南海新区工作，是因为应青苗教育集团的创始人兼董事长施华女士的要求。约翰解释，他在认同问题、做选择和接受新任务前，会乐于聆听和反思周围人的观点。因而他之所以来到南海新区，是由于他身边的人都说他是时候来接受创建一所新的BIBS学校的挑战了。
尽管约翰和茉莉到南海只有短短的三个月，但他们却很快就适应了新的田园生活。有意思的是，约翰认为南海的家比任何一个他们曾生活和工作过的地方更能带给他们家的感觉，就好像他们在菲律宾那个可爱温馨的家一样。约翰提到，他们很欣赏风景美丽的公园和公路，也喜爱那绵长的跑道和海滩，最让他们吃惊的是路上的车辆非常少。作为一个新兴小镇，南海新区被定位成为中国的一个体育基地。
基于这一点，约翰有个有趣的发现，本地人的生活方式都很悠闲。特别是运动是本地人生活方式的重要部分。当大家的视线落在他的腰围上，约翰开玩笑地说，他也许得找时间缩小腰围。约翰还提到在他工作生活过的大城市，比如上海、成都和北京，当地政府在减少污染方面成绩显著，而南海拥有最清新的空气，就跟他在苏格兰的家乡一样。特别是这里有大量新鲜的海鲜食品、丰富的水果和蔬菜。约翰回忆起，有一次，一个学生曾经对他说过中国的很多省市都有自己的特色食物，约翰十分肯定地说那威海一定是中国的海鲜之都。作为一对年长夫妇，南海是一个令人友善愉快的地方，威海则最适合他们在此度过暮年时光。
当询问约翰的教育理念的时候，他提到自己足够幸运，有生之年，以学生和教育管理者的双重身份，亲身经历了环球教育领域的巨大转变。作为一个传统教育系统下的产物，约翰认为这种老式的教育体系绝对不能满足他的自身需求。他深感到自豪，自己曾是，也继续是一个改变教育理念的提倡者，他致力于改变人们固有的传统教育或国际教育的狭隘视野，使之思维模式更趋于环球化。为何BIBS这个教育界的典范让他有宾至如归的感觉，因为它是开放的教育实践者和领导者经过多年的真正的教学实践，基于培养具有全球意识的未来公民的国际双语学习环境教育实践而创建的。
约翰的教育理念是：没有不及格的学生，只有不能满足学生需要的学校。
青苗国际双语学校威海校区资料(BIBS,Nanhai,Weihai)
威海校园的设施包括：游泳池，乒乓球，篮球，排球和网球，跑道，足球和橄榄球，科学，信息技术、设计、美术、数学、体育与保健、图书馆、食堂、自习室、舞蹈室和一个学习型的厨房等等。有一个十四层楼的宿舍，240个房间和494张床。
在BIBS威海，我们将努力使我们的学生成为双语、多元文化和具有全球意识的公民，他们具备知识和正直，能够在不断变化的全球环境中，成功、负责和有效率地发光发热。
因此，我们将开设中文和国际双语课程。我们的课程将以语文、数学、科学和社会学科的中国国家课程为核心。国际课程将要你6门核心科目为重点。以英语为教学语言的是英语、数学，体育保健，科学，社会科学和美术。我们的课内英语读写课程将采用国际的教学范围和进度。它们将得到英文作为辅助语言老师(EAL)的支持，以帮助那些在课堂活动中有困难的学生。同样，中文作为第二语言的辅助语言老师(CAL)也会帮助那些母语不是中文的学生。此外，我们K-12课程将包括手工、音乐、舞蹈和戏剧，体育保健，图书馆，设计，社交和情感学习及文化课程。我们有一流的设施，丰富的课外活动，例如运动队，创意美术俱乐部、学习成绩提升小组等等。这些学习机会的组合应该有助于我们为学生提供一个整体的学习环境。
在BIBS威海我们目标是发展一所K-12的学校，在这里，会在爱、关心和支持下蓬勃发展，是亚洲最佳的实践与西方的最佳实践相结合。
因此，我们的目标是实现一个全面综合的K-12课程，所以我们希望成为一所获得国际文凭认证的学校，能够提供他们早期的课程（EYP）、小学课程(PYP)、中学课程(MPY)、(DP)专业文凭课程。这些国际课程的框架提供给我们许多的机会综合我们的学习经验,通过适当的主题学习与展示，在小学课程，他们分别完成一个社区和个人项目，在DP课程中，学习理论知识、创造力、行动力、服务，然后需要写关于它们的论文。同样，他们为我们的学生提供机会，让他们在实际生活中也能运用所学的学术知识。
如果高年级的学生不希望继续读IB国际课程，我们也将为他们提供参加IGSCEs和A-Level考试的机会。
我们的口号是爱，关心和支持。这样，学校文化的创造体现了我们的校训，这是非常重要的。为了实现这一目标，我们在全校范围内推广了十个学习成果。
通过以下情况，我们将知道学生是否是沟通者：
学生在社交和学习环境中能够运用双语交流。
学生有能力在相互依赖的环境中彼此合作协作。
自信且富有创造性思维
通过以下情况，我们将知道学生是否能够关心他人：
他们有关心别人的同理心
他们尊重并宽容他人
积极投入到改善本地&全球条件的行动和服务中去
通过以下情况，我们将知道学生是否博学多才：
他们可以用自己的语言解释和演示所学的内容
他们可以在所有学科领域应用所学的概念和技能
他们可以展示对全球和本地观念的认识和理解
通过以下情况，我们将知道学生是否是询问者：
学生展现出好奇心，并且逐步提高他们的提问技巧
学生对学习表现出热情和兴趣
学生针对“询问循环”采取负责且有意义的行动
通过以下情况，我们将知道学生是否具有反思性：
他们提出问题，并根据经验做出改变
他们能够利用反馈来改进未来的计划
确定需要改进的范围并制定相关的改进目标
通过以下情况，我们将知道学生是否具有开放的思想：
他们分享自己的想法，理解其他观点、文化和语言
他们可以在多远文化的环境中建立关系
他们可以从多角度、多种价值开展行动
通过以下情况，我们将知道学生是否是冒险者：
他们愿意尝试新的、有挑战性的事情
愿意尝试不同的方法
接受错误并愿意进步
通过以下情况，我们将知道学生是否平衡：
对不同的学习体验表示出热情并投入
向他人学习，使自己成为全球化公民
能够反映并设定学术目标
通过以下情况，我们将知道学生是否是思考者：
学生可以通过不同的媒介阐释他们的想法
能够使用概念，知识，技能和语言就全球问题进行互动
能够利用在现实生活中掌握的各种知识
通过以下情况，我们将知道学生是否具有原则性：
他们一贯遵守课堂和学校的各项规定
对自己的行为负责并承担后果
为人正直
为了给学生带来真正的国际化双语体验，我们要建立一个国际化的学习社区。为此我们学校将会有来自世界各地的学生、教师、领导团队和家长加入我们。我们鼓励大家分享他们的知识和经验，以达到共赢的目的。
我们把学生、教师和家长之间的关系比喻为“金三角”，家长和学生以及学校领导层会定期沟通，我们要创造一个这样的环境以满足孩子、家长和学校的需要。（翻译：石旭）
