Dear School Community Members,

Thank you to those of you who have been inquiring as to what I plan to do next in my career. Now, after many months of searching, I can share that with you. I have been offered and have accepted the position of Director of the first approved U.S. curriculum high school for Chinese Nationals in China. The school will open in August 2010 in Shenyang, P.R.C. (Liaoning Province). This is in the Manchuria region and the city is the closest large Chinese city to the North Korean border. Yes, I understand that it is very cold there in the winter time! :-)

Students will continue studying required Mandarin Literature courses, but will have a large part of their day taught in English (core subjects and some specials). Students will be screened for English language level and will come from different areas of the P.R.C. The first year will be 9th graders only with a projected student enrollment of some 300 students. Since this is a new school, I will be attending upcoming recruiting fairs to hire expat teachers for both XIS and Shenyang Western Academy, the name of the new school. The school will be managed by ISS Asia Pacific. I will be working with a local faculty and staff as well. My work here at XIS was a very big reason for my being considered for this position in Shenyang.

I will continue to work hard for XIS and finish this school year and prepare us for the next, so that Dr. Paul Raschke will have a smooth transition coming in. I would like to thank the XIS Board of Directors for their great support of me during my tenure as well as their assistance to help me in my own search. I would like to thank the local staff and faculty for their loyalty, respect and assistance in my efforts to keep learning. My thanks also to the expat faculty for their patience, support and understanding as I grew into my role here. My thanks to the parent community who have welcomed me and joined together with all of us in developing XIS to greater and greater levels of growth. And, most especially, my very sincere thanks to our XIS students who make being an educator the very best job in the world!

I will not forget my Xiamen colleagues and friends. I will make it a point to visit from time to time with your kind permission.

Sincerest and kindest regards,

John