Brent International School Manila, Philippines T +63 917 809 2531 Skype: james_a_richmond james.allen.richmond@gmail.com www.jamesrichmond.net

JAMES RICHMOND

James and Danielle Richmond Brent International School, Manila Brentville Sudivision, Mamplasan, Laguna, Philippines November 15, 2011 Melissa Mitchell Director of Human Resources American School of Doha Dear Melissa Mitchell: We are writing in response to the posted positions for High School English and Elementary Classroom teachers for the 2012-2013 school year. Having taught internationally since 1999, we are very aware of the very good reputation of your esteemed institution. We are convinced that the American School of Doha would benefit from the experience and skills that we would bring to the school. We are also confident that ASD would be a remarkable place to live and work. In my time at Brent International School, I have:

• Served as Head of English across three campuses • Led my department through a complete process of curriculum rewrite and implementation • Advised several clubs and activities, including student government, MUN, Forensics, Guitar, and Film • Guided classes of higher level IB English A1 students through the exam process, to very good results • Served as an Assistant Examiner in English for IB for several years • Taught the Theory of Knowledge for 12 years, and advised the Extended Essay process • And, in-serviced faculty members from all three campuses in writing instruction and TOK implementation

In Danielle’s time at Brent, she has:

• Served as a curriculum administrator in the lower school • Trained as a UBD site trainer with Jay McTighe • Trained in leadership and differentiation with Bambi Betts and Maggie Moon • Served as Team Leader for several years • And, designed and implemented cross-age tutoring programs

We are qualified, passionate teachers. We would welcome the opportunity to further discuss our resumes and, more importantly, our love of teaching, at your earliest convenience. If you have questions or would like to schedule an interview, please contact us via skype at james_a_richmond or by e-mail at james.allen.richmond@gmail.com. We have attached our resumes, philosophies, and recommendations for your review. Our information is on file with SEARCH Associates. We look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, -- James & Danielle Richmond Brent International School Manila

Brent International School Manila, Philippines T +63 917 809 2531 Skype: james_a_richmond james.allen.richmond@gmail.com www.jamesrichmond.net

PROFILE • Experienced IB English & TOK Teacher • Experienced Assistant IB Examiner • Experienced Head of Department • Experienced with Understanding By Design, Atlas Rubicon, and Professional Learning Communities • Experienced Faculty Representative for EARCOS

I am a passionate, thoughtful, and committed educator with seventeen years of experience. I have taught Interna-tional Baccalaureate English and Theory of Knowledge for twelve years, and examine for IB in English A1. I have served for several years as the Head of English at a prestigious international school.

I absolutely believe in the transformative power of education, and am committed to working for the critical awakening of young minds. My wife and I are looking for an ideal school for our two boys, aged 8 and 10, where we can commit to growing as professionals, and contributing to a dynamic international environment.

EXPERIENCE

TEACHER, BRENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MANILA, PHILIPPINES — 2006-PRESENT As Head of English, I have worked with my department to formalize a curriculum through the Understanding by De-sign process. We have developed standards and benchmarks, as well as professional learning communities for the development and implementation of shared formative assessments. I taught TOK for the duration of my time at Brent and helped coordinate that curriculum review process as well. I have served on the National Honor Society faculty advisory board, coordinated several clubs and activities, spoken many times to the assembled student body and fac-ulty, and attended multiple IB training conferences for both English A1 and TOK.

TEACHER, RIO VISTA MIDDLE SCHOOL, FRESNO CA, USA — 2005-2006 I worked for one year as a teacher of gifted seventh and eighth graders while coordinating family matters at home and facilitating the sale of our house in the US.

TEACHER, BRENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MANILA, PHILIPPINES — 1999-2005 As Head of English, I facilitated the introduction of the curriculum formalizing process, while teaching both higher and standard levels of English A1. I taught TOK for all six years, and began the process of formalizing that curriculum as well. I served for three years as the faculty representative of the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools. I co-advised the MUN and Forensics clubs for two years, and advised a guitar club for all six years, as well as attend-ing multiple training conferences in both IB English A1 and TOK. It was during this time that my two amazing sons, Jacob and Liam, were born. They are now aged ten and eight.

TEACHER, EL CAPITAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, FRESNO CA, USA — 1995-1999 My first four years in teaching, at a very challenging middle school in California, was spent learning the fundamentals of classroom management, lesson planning, implementation, and thoughtful assessment. We completed our Masters degrees during this time, while serving as foster parents through the Fresno County Child Protective Services.

EDUCATION Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee OK, USA — B.S. English & Education Double Major Fresno Pacific University, Fresno CA, USA — M.A. in TESOL, emphasizing Critical Educational Theory REFERRALS Jeff Hammett - Deputy Headmaster, Brent International School Manila, jhammett@brent.edu.ph Jason Atkins - Upper School Principal, Brent International School Manila, jatkins@brent.edu.ph Ian Sutherland, Director of Academic Affairs, Brent International School Manila, isutherland@brent.edu.ph Kristi Pozon – IB Coordinator , Brent International School Manila, kpozon@brent.edu.ph

Brent International School Manila, Philippines T +63 917 809 2531 Skype: james_a_richmond james.allen.richmond@gmail.com www.jamesrichmond.net

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Education is the innately optimistic proposition that we, as a species, can move forward. Problems have solutions, reality can be meaningfully observed, and the truth can be known. It sounds as trite as a cliché can sound, but the goal of education is to make the world a better place. I believe in this goal, and, as an educator, I participate in the process of facilitating this growth in my students and in myself. My core val-ues in this endeavor are meta-cognition, collaboration, and social engagement. All education is meta-cognitive. As a teacher, I disrupt the standard maps of reality that students have acquired over the years, and I work with them to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to rebuild those maps in more intentional ways. I absolutely love to see a student react with excited anticipation when they recognize the value of their own skepticism. We are better people when we think about how and why we think at all. This process is especially vital in the teaching of writing. George Orwell is reputed to have said “If you don’t write well, you don’t think well, and if you don’t think well, others will do your thinking for you.” Clear writing is reflective of clear thinking, and meta-cognition is vital to that process. Also vital to the process of clear thinking is meaningful collaboration. We are a social animal, inspiring in our complexity and poetic in our expressions of devotion to one another. No education is meaningful if it does not teach us to work, think, and live well with one another. Technological developments over the last ten years have done wonders to bring this reality into the classroom. In my classes we make very heavy use of Googledocs, online calendars, RSS, group emails, my website (www.jamesrichmond.net), and TEDtalks, among other technologies to facilitate meaningful collaboration. All of this collaboration would be meaningless if it were put to no good end. No man is an island. We live in global villages and see in immediate terms through Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube how the choices of individuals impact the nations. Education is about social engagement. It is about building a sense of thoughtful compassion for the poor. It is sensitive to culture, the environment, and the impacts we all have on one another. Education is about individual growth, but for the common good. Ultimately, education is a sacred calling, and I absolutely love what I do for a living. I would like to end this philosophy statement with a passage from the front page of my web site. It is the first thing my students see of me when they join my class. It encapsulates a strong part of what I believe I am called to do:

We are spectacularly, frighteningly free. We choose our joys, hopes, transgressions, and passions. We can go so far as to choose the very languages of thought. We can rise above abuses, neglect,

anonymity, and conflict and choose to love or ignore, to engage or detach. We can define ourselves anew in every choice we make, every day.

Your job as a student is to choose who you are, rather than just letting "you" happen by accident.

My job as a teacher is to help you believe in your own ability to make that choice.