Reflecting on a Year of Bravely Curious Travel and Growth at TGS

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 deeply grateful.

What has unfolded since has been nothing short of extraordinary.

There are schools that talk about global education, and then there is THINK Global School, a community that lives it to the fullest every single day. This year, we have learned together, traveled together, celebrated together, and grown together across continents and cultures. We have experienced moments of challenge and moments of joy, moments of profound learning and moments of simple wonder.

Now, as I look back on the year, certain images remain that are vividly etched in my memory.

First, I think of Botswana, where we began our term camping beneath an endless canopy of stars on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. There was something profoundly humbling about gathering together in that vast landscape, surrounded by silence and possibility. I think of sitting alongside students as we watched wildlife migrations unfold before us, a reminder of the beauty, interconnectedness, and resilience of our natural world. Those moments encouraged us to slow down, to observe, and to appreciate our place within something far greater than ourselves.

Next was Oaxaca, where learning and celebration became beautifully intertwined.

Seeing our community immersed in Day of the Dead celebrations was unforgettable. Students and staff alike embraced the traditions, painted their faces, shared meals, danced through the streets, and participated in a celebration that honors memory, family, and continuity. It was a scene that was at once joyful, vibrant, and profoundly moving.

Oaxaca also showed us that understanding another culture requires more than observation; it requires participation, curiosity, and respect. In doing so, it revealed that some of the most powerful learning happens through shared experiences and human connection.

Third was Mumbai, a city that challenged and inspired us in equal measure.

I often tell our students that growth does not happen in comfort, and nowhere was that more evident than in Mumbai. It is a city that demands your attention, stretches your assumptions, and invites you to engage with complexity.

I remember standing in the heat alongside students while painting murals with children from the Dharavi Art Group. Surrounded by creativity, energy, and community, we witnessed art’s powerful ability to connect people across backgrounds and experiences.

So Mumbai, in all of your frenetic glory, thank you for reminding us that learning happens when we step beyond the familiar and allow ourselves to grow through unexpected encounters.

And then there was Athens.

The city that shaped democracy, citizenship, and inquiry was a fitting backdrop for our final chapter, offering a perfect moment to reflect on just how far we’ve come. Yet the moment I will remember most did not happen in a classroom or at a historical site. It happened at Lake Vouliagmeni during graduation.

Surrounded by the people who supported them throughout their journeys, our graduating seniors crossed the stage in an atmosphere filled with love, pride, gratitude, and hope. While taking in the gathered families, staff, friends, and students, I was reminded that graduation is not simply the culmination of an academic journey; it is a celebration of growth, courage, resilience, and community.

Carrying the Lessons of Travel Forward

To our graduating seniors: thank you 💛

Thank you for your leadership, your curiosity, your humor, your kindness, and the countless ways you shaped our community. You navigated a school unlike any other, and, along the way, adapted to new countries, new ways of life, new challenges, and new opportunities with remarkable courage.

As you leave TGS and begin your next chapter, I hope you carry forward the lessons that travel taught you so well: to remain curious, to seek understanding before judgment, to embrace discomfort as a catalyst for growth, and to approach the world with both confidence and humility.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Anthony Bourdain:

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you.”

You have been changed by your journey here, and because of you, THINK Global School has been changed as well. We cannot wait to see where your journeys take you next.

An Eye Towards the Future

With our school year now officially at a close, I find myself looking toward the future with tremendous optimism.

The world needs thoughtful, compassionate, globally-minded leaders more than ever, and at TGS, I see those future leaders every day. I see them asking difficult questions, embracing unfamiliar perspectives, building meaningful relationships across cultures, and approaching the future with courage and purpose.

A Special Thank You to Our Founder

Finally, I would like to offer a special thank you to TGS Founder Joann McPike.

Without Jo’s vision, courage, and unwavering belief in what education could be, THINK Global School simply would not exist. Long before any of us imagined a school without walls, Jo saw the possibility of a learning community that would use the world itself as a classroom, one that challenged conventions, embraced curiosity, and inspired young people to become thoughtful global citizens.

It was especially meaningful to have Jo with us at graduation and as part of our end-of-year celebrations. Watching our seniors cross the stage, surrounded by a global community, served as a powerful reminder of how far her original vision has come.

I leave you with one of my favorite quotes by the incomparable poet Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?“

🔍 Deep Dive: The Academic Framework Behind Our Journey

Curious about how these travels connect to our rigorous academic curriculum? Below is a breakdown of the place-based learning modules and competencies our cohorts mastered during this academic year.