John Sexton,

Center Principal at Suzhou Experimental High School, AP center.

How many teachers or staff do you manage in your center?

That’s kind of an interesting question, just teachers, not including myself, we have six staff. These are teachers from different parts of the world, teaching science, math and humanities, and then we collaborate with several other Chinese staff that lead part of our program.

Can you describe your involvement with teaching and learning within the center?

Wow, that’s, that’s a question. I would say I spend a lot of my time helping teachers prepare students for the various things they need to do for college success. Whether that’s helping our English teacher get the students prepared for TOEFL or IELTS examinations or making sure our AP teachers are on track for their AP exams every May. That’s a large part of it. We conduct regular meetings on teaching and learning, in the past few years, online learning has been a focus. Fortunately for me, that was kind of my background, so I’ve helped teachers use technology and adapt to that. As we move back to the classrooms, it’s more of a focus on teaching and getting students ready for the exams and success.

What is the number of exams that a typical student is taking this year?

Well, there are no typical students, but in our grade 11 half the students are taking four AP exams, for example. Most plan to take economics, calculus, physics at AP this year. So about half of our students do that. And I would say about 75% of our students take at least one exam in grade 11. I think in grade 12, we have one student who did not take an AP exam, so most of our students are taking at least one. And that’s what we like to see. I think in the future, it’ll be everybody because they’re launching AP precalculus.

Which universities do your students tend to go?

This year has been another shift for our students back toward American placements, besides a few that have gone to Australia. Students in China like to cluster around the East and West coast of the US, though we’ve got a little progress inland as far as Ohio. Most of our students are in the Northeast or the Northwest this year, so Washington, New Jersey and those kind of areas.

Can you describe the management structure that a CP operates within?

Yeah, I think this will be a question that’s maybe different in different contexts. We’re a small school, so at my school, the administration, me, the CLO, the CD, work quite closely together. And we’re kind of all-hands-on deck on many things. But I think in a larger school, it would have a different shape. We get lots of support from Dipont, I deal directly with Leo McArdle, the Deputy Director of Education, he’s really helpful. We get lots of practical support from the head office, especially now that the pandemic is over.

If you were to summarize your key objectives and the roll into a few points, what would they be?

I think there’s really two things I want to do. I want to ensure that our students get the best possible education and university offers. I’m really concerned with whether they are making progress through the year at our center. I want them to develop their English ability, study skills and I want them to grow as people. I want to see them all making great strides every year. So that’s really my focus.

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In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the high school, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for our students. You will work closely with teachers, staff, and parents to promote academic excellence and student success.

Background

The Dipont high school program at Wuxi No. 1 School was established in 2008 and currently has over 400 students enrolled. Our goal is to develop in our students a balance between academic and extracurricular interests so that they are prepared for the demands of the 21st century.

Salary and benefits

About the School

Location
The school is located close to the center of Wuxi city, yet retains a natural ambience. Wuxi itself is a delightful city to live and work in, as it combines the amenities of a big city while maintaining a community vibe.

 Curriculum
In addition to our A-level program, students participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities while also being encouraged to work with NGOs, research institutes, charities and businesses to extend their academic and personal interests and potential.

Teachers and Staff
Our faculty includes teachers from all over the world, and this provides the school with a truly international environment. Our philosophy is one of shared experience and collaboration so that all staff feel a part of team success.

About you

The post Secondary School Principal (A-level) appeared first on Dipont Education.

Location: Dalian, China
Start date: August 2022
Contract type: Full-time fixed term (two years contract with annual renewal thereafter).

Background 

Established in 2011, the campus has a reputation for being one of the friendliest and most collegial within Dipont’s broad network. Our dedicated team of educators instruct, guide, and encourage students to be reflective learners, equipped to succeed academically and personally in their university lives.

Salary and benefits

• Competitive salary levels
• Accommodation allowance
• Annual return airfare + bonus
• Worldwide medical cover
• Favorable cost of living
• High disposable income

About the school

Location
The campus is located near the center of the city, so you will enjoy the bustling night life as well as being inspired by its urban architecture, reflecting Russian, Japanese and Chinese influences. Dalian is a spectacular place to live and work.

Culture
Chinese and expat staff work closely together to create a family environment in which everyone is treated equally and feels valued.

Curriculum
Teachers in the center are encouraged to be creative in their course delivery. As it is also a relatively small center, you will have ample opportunity to demonstrate your strengths and push for promotion.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership and guidance to teachers and staff
• Develop and implement educational policies and procedures
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning
• Teach some classes within specialist subject
• Collaborate with parents and the community to foster a positive school culture
• Manage the school budget and resources effectively
• Ensure compliance with relevant educational regulations and standards

The Secondary Principal should have a proven track record of educational leadership, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a deep understanding of secondary education. You should also have the ability to inspire and motivate both students and staff.

If you are passionate about education and have the skills and experience required, we would love to hear from you. Join us at Dipont Education and make a difference in the lives of our students.

About Dipont Education

We have been at the vanguard of international education in China for more than thirty years, partnering with some of the best high schools in the country. We employ over 400 expat teachers and have more than 6,000 students enrolled.

Professional development includes orientation for new staff as well as ongoing contact with experts in the field. Internal career path opportunities are open to capable and high-performing staff, with the potential to move into curricula or program management roles.

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