David Shawver

Director

Fall, 2007

Dear IST Parents, Students, Faculty and Community,

I am delighted to be joining IST this year with its distinguished history as a leader in international school education. I have long experienced the benefits of international schools. My parents originally met as teachers schools in Egypt in the 1930’s. They instilled in me respect for the diversity of traditions and cultures around the world. They also communicated to me the joy of learning.

As a student, I attended universities in three different countries, the United States, Canada, and India. My Ph.D. was from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. My first teaching experience overseas was in a village in Iran where I taught English to Kurdish children while working for the U.S. government as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Since then I have the good fortune to work at international schools in Kinshasa, Zaire (the Democratic Republic of the Congo); Karachi, Pakistan; Yangon, Myanmar; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Guangzhou, PR China.

My doctoral studies were focused on the social development of children. Most of my international school career over three decades has been as an instructional leader (either principal or director of the school). My most recent experience was at the American International School of Guangzhou where I was the director for nine years.

International schools are very special institutions requiring the support of both international and host national communities. While in China, I served as President of the Association of International Schools in Mongolia and China, on the Board of the East Asia Regional Council of Schools, and as a Commissioner for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges which accredits international schools in East Asia (along with most national schools in California and Hawaii). These experiences helped educate me as to the importance of international organizations in ensuring the excellence of an international school. Continuous improvement in the quality of the educational program offered at an international school is a necessity in today’s rapidly changing world. It is my hope to contribute to IST’s continued development.

I look forward to working with the IST community to provide the best possible educational opportunities for our students.

Best regards,
David Shawver, Ph.D.
Director