panama position statement oct 31 - amazon s3...service programs are deeply impressive: supporting...

Director Position Statement

International School of Panama Panama City, Panama July 2020

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MISSIONANDSTRATEGYFORTHEFUTURE

“WeProvidetheSurpriseofPioneeringandDiscovery”--AnISPTeacher

InternationalSchoolofPanama–DirectorSearch

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TheInternationalSchoolofPanamaprovidesanexperienceintheunexpected:somanyinnovativesurprisescanbefoundinthisprogressive,internationalschool.Walkdownonehallwayofthissprawlingandopportunity-richcampusof1,215studentsandyou’llfindyoungpeoplebuildingrobotstoanindustrystandard.NextdoorstudentsareworkinginastudioatmospheretoearntheirInnovationandEntrepreneurshipCertificate.HerestudentslinkEngineering,TechnologyandBusinesswhereco-creationoflearningbringspersonalizedinstruction,withstudentasanequal,designingandprototypingsolutions.It’salsonotfartotheelementaryschooltoknowthatconstructivistlearningprinciplesguidepedagogy.Anotherwalkalongthecoveredpathwaystakesyoutotheperformingartscenter,onlytofindstudentshunchedover,wearingmetalhoods,weldingtogetherapparatusandbuildingsetsfortheupcomingshow.StudentvoiceandchoicearealiveandmeaningfulatISP.ISPisaplacethatdoesmuchmorethantalkofbeingstudent-centered.Thestrongestvoicestosharethisviewarethoseofstudentsandteachers.Amiddleschoolstudentwasquicktooffer,“Everydayfeelsfresh.Idowakeupearly,andthenrealizeIamcomingtoaplacewhereIlearninadifferentway.HereIhavetothink,andIlikethatweusetechnologyforrealreasons.”TheSchoolhasjusttransitionedtostandards-basedgradingandtheambassadorsfortheinitiativeareagainstudents,“It’snewbutweknowmuchmoreaboutwhatisexpectedofus.”

MissionISPisanon-profit,student-centered,independentschool,inspiringlife-longlearnersforafuturewithoutborders.Wearerecognizedasaleaderininternationaleducation,offeringworld-classopportunitiesforstudentsPre-K3to12thgrade.OurPurposeWewilleducateandinspireourstudentstoreachtheirfullpotentialandcontributetotheworldbyprovidinganexemplaryEnglish-languageeducationenrichedbyourmulticulturalcommunity.

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ChangeatISPisabouthelpingeveryoneuseacommonlanguage,andthereisarefreshingbalanceofcorelearningplayinginconcertwithinnovativepractices.OneteacherreflectedonherworkandprideintheSchool,“WehearfromourparentsandothersacrossgreaterPanamaCitywhoknowofourworkthatISPstudentsstandout:peoplelistentothemspeakandhowtheyshareideasasindependentthinkersandimmediatelyknowtheyaregraduatesofourschool.”

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Faithfultoitsbeginningin1982,ISP’sreasonforbeingwastobringatrueinternationalschoolexperiencetoPanamaCity.ThecommitmentanddedicationofparentswhojoinedtheSchoolwhenitwasjuststartingoutservedasthefoundationfortheinspiredexpansionISPnowenjoyswhereaninvolvedandsupportiveparentcommunityhasbeensteadfastintakingontheinevitablechallengesoflifeoverseas.Also,asourceofpride,ISPanamaistheonlynon-for-profitschoolintheregion,animportantelementoftheidentityoftheSchool.

ISPhasfollowedadisciplinedblueprintforchangefromwithin.StrategicthinkinghasguidedISPovertheyearstoestablishfocusedimprovementandneweducationaldirections.TheSchoolisnowcompletingits2015-2020strategicplan.

Withpurposeandastrategicroadmap,ISPnowhasamoreconstructivistapproachtoteachingandstudentinvestmentinlearning,integrationofnewfuture-readyskills,andstrongteacherdevelopment.NextstepswillbetorenewtheSchool’sstrategicintent,toensureaviablemasterplanforfacilities,andtotellthestoriesofISP’suniqueidentitywithinamorecompetitiveschoolchoiceenvironment.

Leveragingtechnologyandcommunicationtoolswillbekeyforensuringeaseofaccesstothenewsofday-to-dayschoollifeandensuringownershiponschoolimprovement

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initiatives.JustastheSchooliscommittedtoensuringastrongsenseofbelonging--viewedasasolidstrength--thereismoreneededtoengagethecommunityinthepurposeandrationaleforprogramchangeandsharingpositiveresults.Theboardandschoolcommunitywillbeginanewlong-termplanningcyclewhenthenewschooldirector.isnamed.

BothstrategyandclimateforlearningareimportantatISP.Oneteacherobserves,“Afterover37years,ISPhasheldtruetothedreamofourfoundingparents:creatinganinternationalcommunitythatfeelslikeafamily.”Thissentimentenjoysunquestionedagreement,withanotherstudentaddingemphasisinsaying,“Wealllookdifferent,aredifferent,andwearerespectedforwhoweareatISP.”

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THEPLACE


ApleasantsurpriseexistsbeyondthebordersofISP.ForreasonsaffiliatedwiththePanamaCanalandlocalgeography,theSchoolresidesinthemostcosmopolitancapitalcityinCentralAmerica.PanamamirrorstheinternationalnatureoftheSchool,where—yetanothersurprise—EastmeetsWestwithtrade,immigration,diplomacy,corporatebusiness,bankingandinternationaltrade.Withamodernofficeandcorporateskyline,thecityprovidesplentyofplacesandspacesforcultureandtravelwithinPanamaandacrosstheAmericas.ModernandthetraditionalmeetwheremarblegiveswaytocobblestonestreetsofCascoViejo’srenovatedhistoricdistrict.Housingismodern.Withpredictabletrafficofalargecapitalcity,therearehousingareaswhereitisindeedpossibletofindahome,outdoorandindoorsportsandafavoritecoffeeshop,allwithinwalkingdistance.OnestudentatISPtalkedaboutridingbikesalongtheAmadorCausewaywithhisparent,countingpelicans.Inthemidstofallthatismodern,thejungleisnearby.

THEPEOPLE

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ThecurrentenrollmentatISPis1,223students,and64%ofthepopulationspeaksSpanishasafirstlanguage.ThelanguageofinstructionisEnglish.Thereare44differentnationalitiesrepresentedinthestudentbody,inorderofmagnitude:PanamanianandUnitedStates,followedbyVenezuelan,Brazilian,andSpanishfamilies.ManyEuropeanfamiliesareenrolledintheSchoolaswell.

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Themostoften-hearddescriptorsforthecommunityatISPanamaare“warmandwelcoming,”andevidenceaboundsofthesewords.Studentsappreciatetheinclusive,embracingethosoftheSchoolasdoteachers,staff,andparents.ThereissignificantpridevoicedforthevaluesoftheSchoolandappreciationforthepositiontheSchoolhascarvedoutforitselfasaninternationalcommunityinPanamaCitywithhighaspirationsandstand-outresults.

ThefacultyatISPanamaspokewithprofessionalismandclarityabouttheircommitmenttoyoungpeopleandtheiraspirations.Similarly,parentsappreciatetheaspirationalnatureoftheschoolandthediversityoftheSchool.TheylaudthefactthattheSchoolhasanoutstandingreputationinPanamaCity,andtheyareeagertosupporttheSchool’scommitmenttocontinuousimprovementaswell.ThesupportstaffaswellarticulatedtheinclusiveandpositiveintentoftheSchool:“Astageforeveryonetoshine!”

ThegovernanceatISPanamahasundergoneatransformationinthepasttwoyearsandhasnowresetitselfonsolidfooting.WithawholesalechangeinthemembershipoftheBoardofTrustees,theBoardhastakenontheimportantworkofre-doingitsstructuresandpoliciestoalignwiththemissionoftheSchoolandbestpracticeingovernance.Workingcloselywithaninternationally-knownconsultant,theBoardisclarifyingitsrolesandresponsibilitiesandisworkingdiligentlytoputinplacebestpracticesduringthisleadershiptransitionperiod.

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THEPROGRAM

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Learninginpartnershipwithsubjectareateachersandspecialistsprovideguidanceasdepartmentsselectthestandardsthatbestreflectdisciplinarygoals.Subjectareasarereviewedonafive-yearcycle,andanethosofcontinuousimprovementinthehandsofawell-qualifiedandexperiencedteachingcadrecharacterizesthecultureofteachingandlearningatISP.

TheEarlyChildhoodCenterisplay-basedandinquiry-driven.Socialemotionallearninginmulti-agegroupingconstitutesanimportantcomponentoftheworkoftheECC.Reggio-inspired,theECCstudentsbenefitaswellfromtheindoorandoutdoorlearningspacesaswellasgardeningopportunities.

UnitsofstudyintheElementarySchoolarebeautifullyarticulatedinunitsofinquiry.AndthecurriculumispostedontheISPwebsite.SpanishisconsideredthesecondlanguageoftheSchool,andtheSpanishasanAdditionalLanguageprogram,emphasizingproductiveandreceptivelanguage,iswell-establishedthroughES.PhysicaleducationisbasedontheShapeAmericaStandards,andstudentsparticipateinmusicinstructionandperformanceseachyear.


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Well-articulatedvaluesundergirdtheprogramatISP.OriginalandwrittenspecificallytoreflecttheethosoftheSchool,thefivevaluesinspireandguidetheprogramtoservethewholechild:

• It’snotaboutme.It’saboutus.

• Everypersonatourschoolleavesafootprint.

• Learningisalifelongadventure.

• Findwaystostandoutthatishowwebecomeoutstanding.

• Welookaftertheplanetaswellaswelookaftereachother.

Fromthesevalues,it’sclearthattheprogramatISPseekstoteachstudentsaboutthevalueofcollaboration,curiosity,andkindnessandaimstohonortheindividualpaththateachstudentpursues.TheprogramencourageseachstudenttopursueaspirationalgoalsanddirectsISPstudentstobeenvironmentalstewardsofourworld.Finally,meetingtheneedsofalllearnersremainsattheheartoftheworkoftheSchool,andthestudentsofISPthrive.

TheSchoolisdividedintofourdivisions:EarlyChildhoodCenter,Elementary,Middle,andHighSchool.TherobustdepartmentofTeachingand

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InMiddleSchool,Grades6-8,studentsreceiveinstructioninlanguagearts,math,science,socialstudies,Spanish,physicaleducation,arts,andelectives.Beyondtheclassroom,studentshaveathleticsandvisualandperformingartsprogramsintheafter-schoolprogramaswellasservicelearning,ModelUnitedNations,STEM,andexperientiallearninginPanama.70%ofISPstudentsparticipateinsomesortofafter-schoolprogram.MiddleSchoolstudentswereenthusiasticintheirappreciationfortheirteachers:“Ourteacherswantthebestforeachstudent.”Andtheylaudedthecurriculum:“Creativeandalwaysforwardmoving.”Studentswerecognizantthattheywerebeingaskedtothinkcriticallyratherthantomemorizebitsandpiecesofextraneousinformation.TheyalsolovethediversityoftheSchool’spopulationintermsofculture,religions,andnationalities.

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Similarly,HighSchoolstudentswereexceedinglycomplimentaryabouttheirteachersandtheprogram.Mature,articulate,andappreciative,theHighSchoolstudentsareawarethattheyhavemultipleleadershipopportunities,andtheywerecomplimentaryaboutthevaluesoftheSchool,notingtherespectfulenvironment,thequalityoftheirteachers,andthebreadthofacademicofferings.StudentsinGrades11-12havetheIBDiplomaProgramavailabletothem,andapreponderanceofstudents

completetheentireprogram.Additionally,studentsmaycompletetheISPDiplomaProgramaswellastheMEDUCA,thePanamaniandiploma.Serviceprogramsaredeeplyimpressive:supportingmultiplesisterschoolsandprogramsinlocalimpoverishedareas.TheVexroboticsprogram,theexcitingartsopportunities,MUN,andstudentgovernment—allwereenthusiasticallypraisedbytheoldeststudents.(Theyarealsolobbyingtheadministrationforan“all-nighter”oncampus!)


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FINANCEANDFACILITIESFORLEARNING


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FinancialStrengthTheSchool’sincomeinflows,expenses,costefficiencies,andreservestellastoryoffinancialstability.Asanon-profitschool,allincomeatISPisre-investedtowardimprovingschoolinfrastructure,enhancingstudentexperiences,andsupportingprogramsthatenrichthelearningexperience.

Duringtheacademicyear2018-2019,totalrevenuewasUS$20.95M,with67%fromtuitionandtheremaining33%offrominstitutionalfees,registration,academicprogramfees(EAL,LearningSupport,IB,etc.)andafterschoolactivities.ApproximatelyUS$4.7Mcomesaone-timecapitalfee/donation.

Tuitionincreasesyear-over-yeargenerallyby3%.TheSchoolcurrentlyholdsUS$2.3MintimedepositsaspartofthecontingencyreserveofUS$3.8Mforemergencies.

ItisevidentthatISPiscommittedtocontinualimprovementofeducationalopportunityandfacilities.TheSchoolre-investedthispastyearininfrastructure,security,andtechnologywith2019investmentsofUS$1.4M.

ThePlacesandSpacesforLearning:TheamountoffacilitydevelopmentandexpansionacrosstheSchool’s37-yearhistoryisremarkable.ISPhasexpandedfromthreesmallresidentialbuildingsinLaCrestatothecurrentcampusfacilitiessetonabeautiful9.6acresareaintheopenrollinghillsofCerroViento.

In2006thecampuswasfurtherexpandedtomakeroomforstudentenrollmentgrowth.ISPhasaddedaCafetorium,middleschoolsciencelabs,andlateradedicatedEarlyChildhoodCentre,aswellasanelementarycafeteria.Otherfacilitiesincludecoveredtenniscourtsandasemi-Olympicswimmingpool.

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Theathleticsprogramcontinuestoflourishasdoesawell-supportedartsprogram,bothprovidingiconicprogrammingandbest-in-classfacilitiesforISP.TheSchoolregularlyhoststhewiderPanamaCitycommunityin4-5nightrunsofmusicals,musicfestivals,andoutsideartists.TheSchoolhostslargestudent-focusedconferencesandmultipleathleticcompetitionsacrosstheseasons.

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Themostrecentmajorfacilitiesinitiativeisthecompletionofthemulti-sportfieldandtrackproject.ISPnowboastsoneoftwoFIFAOneStarCertifiedArtificialTurfFieldsinallofPanama.

TheScience,Technology,Engineering,andMathProgramisnowtheonlyAdvancEdcertifiedprograminCentralAmerica.To

furthercultivatethiscommitment,learningspacesinalldivisionshavebeentransformedintoSTEMlabs.AtISPthespacesandplacesforlearningcontinuetobeupdatedtoreflectabalancedprogramofcorelearningandstudentco-createdlearningastheyfindthestudiosandworkshopstobuildouttheirinterestsandpassionsandtoapplytheirlearningtowarddevelopingandinspiringnewpathwaysforstudents.

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QUICKFACTSABOUTTHEINTERNATIONALSCHOOLOFPANAMA

YearISPEstablished: 1982

AccreditationAgency: MEDUCA,AdvancED,IBO

TotalEnrollment: 1,223

ElementarySchoolEnrollment: 585

MiddleSchoolEnrollment: 260

UpperSchoolEnrollment: 370

PercentageofAnnualStudentTurnover: 22%

PercentageofStudentswithFinancialAwards: 0.16%(2students)

Student/TeacherRatio: 9:1

Tuition(2019-20):

PK3:US$9,424GradesPK4-5th:US$14,111Grades6-8:US$15,479Grades9-12:US$17,502

Thereisaone-timecapitaldonationofUS$16,000andadditionalfeesforregistrationandspecialprogramslikeInternationalBaccalaureate.

OperatingBudget:Revenue$20.9MOPEX$417Klossbeforeinterest

Reserve: $3.8M

EndowmentAccount(2YCD):$1M

NumberofFaculty:207

NumberofOperationalStaff: 87

NumberofBoardTrustees: 9

NumberofStudentNationalities: 45


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KEYLEADERSHIPSKILLSANDATTRIBUTES:


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ThenextleaderoftheInternationalSchoolofPanamawillhavetheopportunitytoprovideleadershipforawidelyrecognizedand,asobserved,aremarkablyprogressiveinternationalschool.InordertoservetheSchoolfullyandwell,thenextHeadofSchoolforISPwillbringasetofkeyleadershipskillsandattributestothework,asdescribedhere:

KeyLeadershipSkillsandAttributes

Effectiveleader:Theabilitytoarticulateandactuponmission-drivendecisions.LeadwithpurposetoensureastrongSchoolidentity.Thecapacitytotranslatestrategicdirectionintoeffectiveimplementationstepsandworkplans.TheabilitytoinspireandgalvanizetheISPcommunitywithcompassionandhumanity.

Academicvisionary:TheunderstandingofresearchandbestpracticesineducatingtheyouthofISP,ensuringarobust,rigorousandimpactfuleducationalprogramforallstudents.Attract,develop,andretainanoutstandingcadreofteachingfaculty,bothlocalandinternational.

AnInclusiveSchool:LeadtheSchoolcommunitytoensureacommonlyheldandsupporteddefinitionof“inclusion”toaddressthelearningneedsofallstudentsandtoprovidesupportandchallengeforeachstudent.

Communitybuilder:ThetalenttobringallconstituenciestogetherthroughbuildinganethoscharacterizedbytrustandconfidenceinthedirectiontheSchoolistaking.Communicatewellandbuildstrongrelationshipstoenhancetheschool-homepartnership.

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CommunitybuilderII:Provideinspiringcommunication,marketingandoutreachleadershiptotellthestoryoftheISPcharacterprofile,valuesandprogramandhowtheSchooldifferentiatesitself.EmbraceandtacklethechallengeofthecompetitivemarketforschoolsinPanama.

Changeleader:Theskill,experienceandwisdomtomanagechangewithappropriatepace,thoughtfuldelegation,andcarefulplanning.Ensurethatprograms,innovations,andmeasurementsforsuccessareclearandsharedacrosstheISPcommunity.

Governancepartner:EnsureclearunderstandingoftherolesandresponsibilitiesofboththegoverningbodyandtheseniorleadershipoftheSchool.CultivateapartnershipwiththeBoardthatsupportsthefiduciary,strategic,andgenerativeworkoftheBoard.

CollaborationasaHallmark:Usecollaborativeteamstodefineandsolveimportantschoolissues.Buildandalignconnectionsamongstudents,teachers,staff,trustees,andseniorleadershiptoensureeveryonecontributesexpertiseandcreativethinkingforcontinuousimprovementandinnovation.Theabilitytoestablishandnurtureatalentedlong-servingseniorleadershipteam.

Builderofsystemsandinfrastructure:BringatrackrecordofsuccessintheexecutiveandmanagerialfunctionsoftheroleofDirectoratISP.BringeffectiveinsightandstrategiestoimproveoperationalandfinancialefficienciesatISP.


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KEYPROFESSIONALANDPERSONALQUALITIES

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Culturallycompetent:Appreciateandadapttothediversityofthecityandcountry.RepresenttheSchoolthoughtfullyinorganizationsandculturalactivitiesinPanama.Takeadvantageofthewonderfulopportunitiestoliveandworkinadynamic,prosperousLatinculture.UnderstandthevariedculturalinfluencesintheinternationalpopulationatISP.

PlacesandSpacesforLearning:UnifyandleadtheISPcommunitytopromotepride,careandappreciationforISPfacilitiesforlearning.Bringvisionandexpertiseforongoingfacilityplanninganddevelopmenttomaximizethecompetitiveedgeandthewholenessofstudentlearning.

APPLICATIONPROCESS

InterestedcandidatesshoulduploadalldocumentsontheRG175websiteat:https://rg175.com/candidate/signup

Acompleteapplicationincludes:

● AcoverletterexpressinginterestinthedirectorpositionattheInternationalSchoolofPanama● Afullyupdatedresume● Awritingsamplethatmaybeapersonalstatement,anarticleforaschoolpublication,arecent

speech,orsubmittedscholarlyarticle—whatevercanhelpinformthesearchcommitteeofexpertise,interests,academicfocusandexperience

● Fivecurrentreferences

Consultantstothesearch:○ CoreenR.Hester,mailto:[email protected]○ MarkE.Ulfers,mailto:[email protected]

Timeline:TheSchoolseekstomakeanappointmentforthenextHeadofSchoolatISPforJuly2020.AllapplicationsshouldbesubmittedexpeditiouslyandnolaterthanNovember15TheSchoolhasbeguninterviewingforthepositionandreservestherighttomoveforwardwiththisappointmentwhentheappropriatecandidatehasbeenidentified.

Thesuccessfulcandidatewilldemonstratethebackground,experiences,anddispositioncharacterizedbythefollowingpersonalandprofessionalqualities:

• Experienceinahigh-performingschool

• Creativeproblem-solver• Handlescomplexityskillfully

• Strongcommunicationskills

• Highemotionalintelligence

• Senseofwhimsyandgoodfun

• Warmthandempathy• Creativityandinnovative

• Commitmenttocollaboration

• Energeticandambitious

• BusinessAcumen


panama position statement oct 31 - amazon s3...service programs are deeply impressive: supporting...

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