As we mark the end of another remarkable school year, I find myself reflecting on what an extraordinary privilege it has been to serve as Principal of THINK Global School. When I stepped into this role, I was immediately struck by the warmth of the community. From my very first days, I felt welcomed, supported, and embraced by its students, families, staff, alums, and Board. And for that, I am...
Read MoreOn the very first day of classes in Cuenca, Ecuador, 9th grade students read an excerpt from from The Native American Broadcasting System, which begins with the line “I am the essence of Pow-Wow.” Students were tasked to write their own “I am” poems. Fast forward to this week in Thailand, where 9th-grader Russell was looking back at old work for material while writing his memoir. He found this artifact from last term, and it led him to wonder whether his identity has shifted after two terms here at TGS.

I am two faces on the same coin,
While one is up, the other is down,
I am earth,
While one side is light the other is dark.
I am the weather in Vancouver,
The clouds and the sun always battling in the sky,
I am the sappy poem,
Trying to be true yet looking awkward along the way.
From the middle of the forest you can see the mountain.
From the middle of the mountain, I am the river marking the way down.
I am the loudest,
In the most heated debate, I am the ear listening to your words.
I am the milestone,
Once you reach out to me, I am your friend.
I am earth,
While one side is dark, the other is light.
—
I wonder that if I had to write this now, what would I write? What do you think of this now? Do you think it’s still accurate? Do you think I’ve grown up or grown down, or a bit of both? What do you think if on one of our last English classes, we rewrite these (without looking at them)?