We’re fully on board with strong core values, but what do they look like in the classroom? Here’s the lowdown from the lovely teachers and pupils at Stamford American International School...
Stamford American’s values of Courage, Integrity, Ingenuity & Compassion are not just buzz words. The whole school community lives them. We went in search of what they really mean and asked the school community to share their thoughts on each…
Value: Compassion
Although SAIS has a whopping 3000 students, kids never feel lost in the crowd here – even on their first day, it’s all about the individual. That’s where the core value of compassion comes in. Lia Chumtong, an Elementary teacher at SAIS, explains. “Compassion, as an educator, is meeting children where they are. It’s knowing them as learners and as individuals. My goal is to create an environment where they feel comfortable being vulnerable.”
Value: Integrity
The value of integrity is key in creating a close-knit community at SAIS. And it’s not just down to the students; it’s the role of teachers too. Stephanie Grafe, Deputy High School Principal, fills us in, “Integrity means doing right by our students for our students. We strive to build a community of trust and inclusion so that all of our students can be successful in our complex world.” What does this look like for pupils? Showing respect, being honest and supporting others!
Value: Courage
With over 75 nationalities, Stamford American is all about diversity and inclusivity. Kids who need extra support with English can take the Preparatory Course for Secondary (PCS) to get them up to speed. Weina Su, a PCS student, gives is the lowdown on what courage means here at SAIS. “For me, being courageous has helped with my confidence, getting to know new people from different countries and showing them my personality. It has also helped me to gain perspective about different cultures.”
Value: Ingenuity
We all want our kids to grow up to take on the world and solve problems, and SAIS agrees! Ingenuity is all about allowing students to take on challenges in clever and innovative ways. There’s no such thing as too many questions here. Aidan Kelly, a Middle School Student, agrees and shares his thoughts on how the Design program at SAIS demonstrates this core value. “Stamford develops my ingenuity through the Design program, as it allows me to use my learning in other subject areas and make connections to problem solve throughout the design process.”
Want to see these core values in action for yourself? Get in touch with the SAIS Admission staff and find out more!
This post is in partnership with Stamford American International School.