Message from Executive Director

Welcome to the New Year, 2025, and the Year of the Snake! I hope each of you feels refreshed and energized for the remainder of your respective school years and the exciting slate of professional development activities ACAMIS has planned for this winter and spring.

Student engagement, student agency, or student empowerment—whichever term applies to your school—is among the central components of a quality education. ACAMIS is once again sponsoring two service-learning opportunities for students to further develop their leadership skills by applying for one of the two grants available this year.

The first is the Service Learning Grant and the second one is the Jim Koerschen Leadership Award. Both opportunities, valued at up to $2,500 per grant, are described in this edition of the New Year’s ACAMIS Newsletter. Please READ ON to encourage secondary students to immerse themselves in a sustainable project that benefits your school or your community.

Important note: Both applications are due on or before Friday, March 14, 2025. Winners will be announced at the Spring Leadership Conference on April 25 and 26 at Xi’an Liangjiatan International School.

The other application that I am pleased to bring to your attention is the FIRST EVER Tom Ulmet Leadership Award sponsored by the ACAMIS Board of Directors. This award will be presented to an individual (adult) in your school who exemplifies the qualities and high standards of personal and professional leadership that our former Executive Director exhibited during his ten years of outstanding leadership of ACAMIS. Please READ ON for more details about this award. The recipient will be invited to the Spring Leadership Conference, where the Board President will present this prestigious award.

Important Note: All nominations for this award are due by no later than Friday, March 14, 2025.

We have a vibrant slate of four Conferences — English Language Learners (ELL) Conference, Conference for the Arts, the Spring Leadership Conference and the Chinese Conference - planned for this winter/spring, all of which are outlined in this Newsletter.

Academic and Cultural Events (ACE) will continue to take center stage with a unique slate of opportunities for your students through June. Please READ ON for dates, titles and locations! Similarly, PDAcademia and PeerSphere will offer an exciting array of relevant onsite and virtual workshops that are designed to inspire and inform. Please READ ON for more details. The Sports Co-Chairs, Thomas Matthews and Felipe Nugeuria, continue to lead and facilitate athletic events and tournaments, all of which are listed on our events calendar. Be sure to click on the videos featuring student athlete’s testimonials about the values of participation as team members and in sports competitions.

If there are specific ways that ACAMIS can further serve your respective school’s Professional Development needs, I welcome your engagement with me during my visits to schools this year or via email.

I wish you continued successes through the remainder of this school year.

With warm regards,
Larry Hobdell
Executive Director

Upcoming ACAMIS Conferences

The Power of Language: A Personal Journey into ELL Education

I’m Nina Ashkinadze, the English Language Coordinator at Utahloy International School of Guangzhou and Chair of the ACAMIS English Language Learners (ELL) Conference Planning Committee. Growing up in Russia, English was not my first language. I still remember the excitement and nervousness I felt when I first encountered English—an entirely new world of sounds, words, and possibilities. Unlike other subjects, which sometimes left me feeling unsure, English was where I consistently felt confident and successful. My teachers played a pivotal role in shaping this experience. They created a learning environment where I felt supported, challenged, and celebrated for every milestone. These incredible educators not only taught me a language but also ignited a lifelong passion for learning and teaching. Looking back, I never questioned my path—it felt natural to dedicate my life to education and, more specifically, to English language learning.

My passion for ELL stems from a deep belief in its transformative power. Language is more than just a tool for communication; it’s a bridge to understanding different perspectives, cultures, and opportunities. I’ve seen firsthand how ELL opens doors for young learners, helping them not only succeed academically but also build confidence and a sense of belonging. Every child deserves the chance to find their voice, and ELL provides that platform. I firmly believe that when we invest in ELL education, we are investing in a future where every learner feels empowered to thrive, no matter where they come from.

This belief fuels my commitment to advancing high-quality ELL education through events like the ACAMIS ELL Conference. This March 21-22,  we are thrilled to invite educators to join us at Nanjing International School for a conference that promises to inspire, connect, and equip teachers with innovative strategies to support their learners. This is more than just an event—it’s an opportunity to reaffirm our shared mission of creating inclusive and supportive learning environments for multilingual students. I look forward to connecting with like-minded professionals who, like me, are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young learners. Together, let’s continue to harness the power of language to shape brighter futures.

Nina Ashkinadze
English Language Coordinator and Chair, ACAMIS ELL Conference Planning Committee
Utahloy International School Guangzhou

Create Space & Foster Agency in Students

I am Becca Alosi, a drama teacher at the International School of Tianjin and the Chair of ACAMIS Conference of the Arts Planning Committee. I am excited to share information about our second annual ACAMIS Conference for the Arts, which will be held at the International School of Tianjin in April 11-13, 2025.

Before diving into the details of this conference, I’d like to briefly introduce myself. My journey into the arts began later than most, when I took a Drama course in Grade 11 to fill my timetable—and because a few friends were already in the class. Through that experience, I discovered a new way to express myself and explore who I was. This newfound passion led me to university, where I studied theatre and participated in over sixty stage productions. Theatre became more than just a creative outlet for me; it became a way to nurture my personal voice and explore diverse perspectives.

Eventually, I began working professionally and co-founded a small fringe theatre company, “Grey Lantern Productions,” with a couple of friends. The company continues to thrive today, thanks to a supportive community of individuals who have contributed their time and creativity. My journey brought me to China, where I now teach Drama and work to create safe, creative spaces for my students—spaces where they can express themselves and explore new ideas.

Building community among arts educators can be challenging. Many of us work in small departments with only one or two colleagues in our discipline, if we’re fortunate. This challenge is what drew me to the ACAMIS Arts Conference Committee: the desire to create those connections for others. Last year’s conference, hosted by SSIS in Suzhou, embraced the theme of “CONNECT,” and I believe we successfully delivered on that promise.

Building on that foundation of connection, this year’s theme of ACAMIS Conference for the Arts is “CREATE”. This theme captures not only the essence of the creative process and the production of art but also the importance of fostering agency for both students and teachers, as well as creating spaces for growth and self-expression. Once again, the conference will feature discipline-based sub-strands, along with a “Create” strand that allows participants to continue building community while exploring their own creative expression.

We, the committee, aim to provide arts educators with a conference tailored to our needs—a space where we can explore, create, and grow as a community. In the spirit of creative expression and exploration, we are thrilled to partner with the Tianjin Juilliard School to offer music teachers, in particular, an opportunity to explore their own creativity and discover how creating open, flexible spaces can enhance learning for both students and teachers.

We look forward to seeing what you create for yourselves during this conference. I am also looking forward to connecting (and reconnecting) with you, our community.

Rebecca Alosi
Drama Teacher & ACAMIS Conference of the Arts Planning Committee
International School of Tianjin

Building a Stronger Community to Support Lifelong Learning

I am Lily Liu, the Head of Xi’an Liangjiatan International School (XLIS) and an ACAMIS Board Member. I believe in the power of education to change lives and in fostering a diverse, inclusive environment that supports every student’s growth. As we welcome 2025, I am excited to announce that XLIS will be hosting the ACAMIS Spring Leadership Conference (SLC), with the theme "The Power of Community." This theme reflects our daily work at XLIS to build a community that values collaboration, inclusion, and well-being. The conference will focus on four sub-themes: Building, Engagement, Well-being, and Inclusion—each vital for creating vibrant, resilient communities.

I began my career as a language and homeroom teacher in Shenzhen and Xi’an, gaining valuable experience in both public and private schools. Now in my 11th year as Head of XLIS, I have had the privilege of collaborating with a global team of educators to lead the school’s growth from 40 to 660 students, representing 47 countries and regions. This journey has reinforced my belief that leadership is not just about operations—it’s about creating a space where individuals feel empowered and valued. At XLIS, we aim to foster a community where students and staff thrive, collaborate, and contribute to one another’s success, embodying the true spirit of international education.

As a woman in leadership, I am passionate about championing inclusivity and equity, ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented. Balancing leadership responsibilities with personal well-being is an ongoing challenge, but it has taught me the importance of prioritizing self-care—not just for myself but also for the entire XLIS community. Leadership demands a great deal of energy and focus, but it is only when we ensure the well-being of ourselves and our teams that we can lead with clarity, compassion, and purpose.

Building community among arts educators can be challenging. Many of us work in small departments with only one or two colleagues in our discipline, if we’re fortunate. This challenge is what drew me to the ACAMIS Arts Conference Committee: the desire to create those connections for others. Last year’s conference, hosted by SSIS in Suzhou, embraced the theme of “CONNECT,” and I believe we successfully delivered on that promise.

I hope that the upcoming SLC will offer each of us new insights and practical strategies to enhance our leadership while nurturing the communities we serve. I look forward to connecting with all of you at the conference and continuing our shared work to strengthen the power of community in education.

We, the committee, aim to provide arts educators with a conference tailored to our needs—a space where we can explore, create, and grow as a community. In the spirit of creative expression and exploration, we are thrilled to partner with the Tianjin Juilliard School to offer music teachers, in particular, an opportunity to explore their own creativity and discover how creating open, flexible spaces can enhance learning for both students and teachers.

We look forward to seeing what you create for yourselves during this conference. I am also looking forward to connecting (and reconnecting) with you, our community.

Dr. Lily Liu
Head of School & ACAMIS Board Member
Xi'an Liangjiatan International School

Dr. Brian Lalor
Deputy Head of School
Xi'an Liangjiatan International School

UPCOMING 2-DAY PD WORKSHOPS BY PD ACADEMIA

Leading Performance for Senior School Leaders
February 14-15, 2025
Nanjing International School
By the end of this workshop, participants will gain the tools and confidence in human-centered performance leadership, delivering high performance with their school’s goals.

Service Learning for Deep & Authentic Engagement
February 28 & March 1, 2025
Victoria Shanghai Academy
This workshop is designed for educators, leaders, curriculum coordinators, and coaches seeking to explore how service learning can provide strategies and tools for student engagement, deep learning, and active global citizenship. The speakers will facilitate lively discussions, insightful exercises, and real-life applications. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences, as this workshop focuses on their needs, their teams, and bringing their school’s strategies to life.

ACAMIS ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT (ACE) EVENTS Q&A

For ACAMIS members, particularly those newly joining the organization, the Academic Cultural and Enrichment (ACE) initiative may be unfamiliar. Over the past few months, several inquiries have been received regarding ACE, including details about its events and how students can participate.

Learn everything about ACE and how to apply to host an ACE event from our three knowledgeable and enthusiastic ACE Regional Representatives: Caleb Doyel, Anna Yuen, and Alex Rambaud, who are ready to assist. Click here or on the image above to learn more!

Winter/Spring ACE Events

Final Submission Calls to the Following ACE Virtual Events

Athletics Events

Student Voices on ACAMIS Athletic Tournaments

Over the years, students participating in ACAMIS Athletics tournaments have shown remarkable growth in teamwork, discipline, and resilience. These tournaments offer a platform for students to showcase their skills and build lasting camaraderie. They also inspire students to balance academics and athletics, strengthening their time management and leadership abilities. Beyond the court, these events promote personal growth, cultural exchange, and lifelong friendships.

We are pleased to share feedback from our students about their experiences at our tournaments. Click on the testimonials to hear ACAMIS student-athletes highlight the positive benefits of participating in sports teams.

Winter/Spring Athletic Tournaments

Please email operations@acamis.org for any inquiries.