Tattooing is the most misunderstood art form in Japan today. Looked down upon for centuries and rarely discussed in social circles, people with tattoos are outcasts in this country, banned from most public spaces such as beaches, bathhouses, and even gyms. Tattoos have an extensive history in Japan, and to truly understand the stigma behind them it is essential to be aware of their significance. The first records of tattoos...
Read MoreHi Andy, tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in the beautiful industrial city of Birmingham, and after a career in mental health work and various bits and bobs, I qualified to become a teacher. After a few years in the UK, I moved to the British Virgin Islands (which many viewed as an improvement even on Birmingham!) and from there on to Switzerland, my first stint at THINK Global School from 2013 to 2015, and then six years in the Middle East.
I’ve been both an IBDP Coordinator and a secondary principal more than once, and I’ve taught English, humanities, TOK, and PE in various contexts.
What is your favorite part about being an educator at THINK Global School?
My favorite part is the freedom to think and to plan engaging modules and learning experiences without the hinderance of national and international curricular restrictions. There is so much pressure on our profession these days in terms of meeting targets and providing evidence of performance that having the time to really consider the nature and purpose of learning is an increasingly rare luxury.
Is there a particular module or learning experience that was your favorite this school year?
I’m enjoying what we’re doing now; taking Greek myths and updating them for our time and culture. We have some trips planned to Delphi to see the Oracle and to the Acropolis to meet some of the gods.
What advice would you share for prospective students or educators looking to join THINK Global School?
I’d say that they must really look beyond the travel and the pretty pictures and decide if project-based learning is really for them – we work hard at TGS, often under challenging circumstances, and if your heart isn’t in it, then it’s going to be a struggle!
If TGS could hold a term in any country, where would you like to go and why?
Oh, I’m not sure – Iceland, maybe? I’ve always wanted to go there but never quite made it there.
