This workshop is fully registered. However, we may be able to accommodate additional registrations, please email events@pdacademia.com if you would like to still register.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, our administrative staff faces new challenges and responsibilities. This workshop is tailored to empower individuals who, despite having limited training opportunities, play a pivotal role in fostering seamless interactions within our school community.
Administrative staff, being the frontline communicators for school leadership, handle diverse responsibilities and interactions with teachers, parents, and suppliers. For those unfamiliar with the unique dynamics of an international school, managing competing priorities and stakeholder expectations can be particularly demanding.
Our program aims to equip your administrative staff with essential communication, problem-solving, and time management skills, enabling them to navigate their roles more efficiently. Beyond efficiency, participants will develop resilience to serve as a robust first line of defense against the myriad distractions that can impede team progress. Utilizing the DiSC Behavioral Survey, attendees will gain insights into their behavioral tendencies and how these influence team dynamics, fostering a more cohesive work environment.
This course encompasses practical activities and provides tools and templates directly applicable to daily responsibilities. Participants will leave with valuable tools and strategies to:
- Overcome communication barriers and enhance mutual understanding.
- Effectively communicate in a multi-cultural work environment.
- Utilize questioning techniques to ensure a shared understanding.
- Define, communicate, and resolve problems proactively.
- Identify, communicate, and coordinate multiple priorities seamlessly.
- Learn how to leverage generative AI to refine and elevate business writing skills.
- Implement the PDAC Method of Writing Emails and enhance proofreading skills.
Goals
This program is designed for Executive and Personal Assistants, Receptionists and other front-line administrative staff working in the Admissions/Marketing, HR, Finance, Facilities and Marketing Departments.
Drawing insights from case studies in this post-pandemic era, we aim to explore strategies for overcoming challenges stemming from the disruptions of school operations due to the pandemic. Participants will depart equipped with practical tools and enhanced confidence, enabling them to communicate more effectively and collaborate adeptly in coordinating multiple priorities and problem-solving.
Fees
Registration Fees:
- ACAMIS member school: 500 USD per participant
- non-member school: 550 USD per participant
Program Format & Language
Participate in this extensive workshop that combines interactive discussions, case studies, group activities, quizzes, mini-lectures, role plays, videos, and practical scenarios. Resources are primarily bilingual (English & Chinese). Small groups can choose to discuss in their preferred language, while mini lectures will be presented in English.
Modules
Dates: May 16-17, 2024 (Thursday & Friday)
Times: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, with two short breaks for each module and a one-hour of lunch break.
Certification: This is a certificate program. 18 hours of professional development will be awarded.
Module 1 - Intercultural Communication Essentials
- Equip participants with key communication and intercultural skills.
- Develop an awareness of communication preferences and styles in various cultures, introducing essential questioning skills for confirming understanding during interactions.
- Engage small groups with cases of common requests teachers or administrators. Groups will identify relevant clarifying and probing questions, reflecting on cultural adaptations. Questions will be submitted for peer review and facilitator feedback.
- Break into small groups for a book discussion, “Thriving in International Schools: A Guide for Administrative Non-Teaching Support Staff.” Participants must complete the reading assignment before Module 1.
Module 2 - Workplace Dynamics: DiSC Insights and Effective Communication Strategies
- Review DiSC results and address processing questions related to each profile type.
- Cultivate a positive self-image, emphasizing strengths and weaknesses that build trust and confidence.
- In small groups, identify strategies for working effectively with different profile types and individuals displaying challenging behaviors.
- Engage in activities on tailoring communication for better influence in different work and communication styles.
Module 3 - Effective Business Writing: Harnessing AI Tools and Strategies for Impactful Communication
- Harness the power of generative AI to refine and enhance their business writing skills, exploring tools for clarity and impact in email communication.
- Implement the PDAC (Purpose – Details – Action – Close) strategy in crafting school communiques, reinforcing their skills in building rapport, simplicity, positive tone, and strategic use of benefits and consequences.
- Develop proficiency in responding to requests and complaints through writing exercises, honing their skills with real-world scenarios.
- Collaboratively review and provide constructive feedback on writing assignments in small groups, fostering a peer-driven learning environment.
- Illustrate effective responses with sample submissions and guide participants in addressing common challenges. Collaborate in mixed groups to draft school-wide communiques based on real-life cases.
Module 4 - Efficient Prioritization: Navigating Work Demands with Strategic Time Management
- Learn to manage multiple priorities at work.
- Reduce distractions and prioritize tasks using Stephen Covey’s strategies. Role-play communicating priorities to influence others and mitigate potential conflicts.
- Identify time wasters to avoid.
- In small groups, analyze post-pandemic related challenges, focusing on unexpected tasks and new responsibilities. Brainstorm possible solutions and present to the class.
- Introduce the most effective Time Management tool – ‘Manage Yourself’ – explaining how clear communication of priorities enhances effectiveness.
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Facilitator's Profile
Name
Henry Wong
Years of Experience
Over 16 years
Career
Business Administrator Director, Co-head, Author
Read Henry's Biography
Henry Wong is an experienced educator and administrator with a strong background in both teaching and non-teaching roles within schools. With over sixteen years of experience in international schools across Singapore, China, and the US, Henry brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his work.
Throughout his career, Henry has held various administrative positions, including Senior Admissions and Marketing Manager, Business Administrator Director, and Co-head. In these roles, he provided leadership and oversight for critical functions such as admissions, finance, human resources, public relations, IT help desk, facilities management, auxiliary services, procurement, and inventory.
Notably, Henry is also a published author, having written a book titled “Thriving in International School: A Guide for Administrative Non-Teaching Support Staff.” This publication showcases his commitment to sharing knowledge and best practices within the education community.
At Suzhou Singapore International School (SSIS), Henry successfully elevated the service standards of his support staff within a span of two years, aligning them with the best practices observed in top international schools. Under his leadership, several departments and offices consistently achieved satisfaction ratings of over 90% of satisfaction from parents and teachers. Three offices even achieved a remarkable 100% positive feedback for three consecutive years. Henry fostered a healthy working relationship between the academic and administrative teams, resulting in the lowest turnover rate within the business administration division and a harmonious collaboration between the two entities.
Henry’s academic journey began at Biola University in California, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership. He further pursued his passion for education by earning master’s degrees in education from Pepperdine University and intercultural studies with a focus on international business from Biola University. Henry’s commitment to teaching led him to serve as an instructor at Tianjin University of Technology in China, where he taught courses in Intercultural Communication and International Trade. Additionally, he spent two years teaching Mathematics to middle school students. Henry obtained a multiple subject teaching credential with a supplementary authorization in Business Studies from California.
Accommodations & Transportation
Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Gubei
Address: No. 333-345 Honggu Road, Changning District, Shanghai, SH 200336 Mainland China
Website: www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels
Phone Number: 0800 022 2822
Email Address: reservation@hiex-qcx.com
Host School
At Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS Shanghai), the school is renowned for offering one of the most progressive programmes of international education in China. The school's unique multicultural and bilingual approach to education, with a focus on both English and Chinese language learning, is recognised worldwide and helps distinguish students in a globally competitive environment.
The six campuses, located in prime areas in both Puxi and Pudong, collectively cater for Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary students, ages 2 to 18. As a school for the children of international families, the students come from over 50 countries and regions and are educated by world-class teachers from more than 20 countries. The international curriculum helps to develop individuals with multicultural perspectives.
Refund Policies
If notice of cancellation re the registered participant/sponsor is received:
- 30+ days pre-event: 80% of fee is refundable
- 15-29 days pre-event: 40% of fee is refundable
- Less than 15 days pre-event: no refund
Online PD Programs - No refund will be granted re participants commencing an online PD program and withdrawing part way through. Course material fees (re DiSC surveys, book fees, etc) are not refundable once access is granted.
Refund Due To PD Event CancellationIn the event of cancellation of a conference, workshop or online PD program, we will fully refund the registration or sponsorship fee(s) paid. However, we will be unable to refund any travel, visa or accommodation expenses incurred or course material fees where access has been granted.