Introduction to K Class
Our Mission
Beijing World Youth Academy strives to provide members of our community excellent learning opportunities that incorporate critical investigation, exposure to different cultural perspectives and assessment against objective criteria.
Our mission is to develop principled, open-minded thinkers who are capable of integrating with diverse international communities and who are empowered to shape their environs for the improvement of quality of life for themselves and others.
Our Values
We are committed to excellence and united by our values:
Compassion
We respect and empathise with the rights, opinions, culture and feelings of others.
Trust
We believe that honesty, integrity and reliability in ourselves and others forms the cornerstone of our community.
Solidarity
We value harmony and oneness while recognising the individuality of each person in our community.
Collaboration
We recognise that the development of the student is the shared responsibility between the student, the family and the school.
Principal's Welcome Aaron Wise
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our families to the 2020-2021 school year at BWYA. As we start the new school year I would like to invite all families to continue to work with us to make the primary school a fantastic place for all our students to learn and grow.
A famous person once said “the only real mistake we make is the one from which we learn nothing”. This year the students at BWYA, and in fact all of us whether we like to admit it or not, are all going to make a lot of mistakes. Some of the mistakes the students will make will simply stay mistakes, while the students will learn from others and become better people because of the mistakes they made.
As parents and educators, one thing we must realise is that how a child responds to a mistake depends on us. How we respond to our children’s mistakes, will teach them, in turn, how they should respond to their mistakes. If we simply identify a child’s mistake by telling them that they have done the wrong thing, then we have not really taught them anything except that they failed.
This year, as we commit once again to helping all the students at BWYA learn and grow to their full potential, I would ask all parents to join with us in the important task of helping the students learn from their mistakes so that they can improve for the future. Hopefully then, they will also help us to learn from the mistakes that we make as well.
Head of LPC
Betsy Greenway
I taught in northwest Washington State in the U.S., very near Vancouver Canada, for 15 years; then went overseas to international schools. With my husband, I’ve taught in Mali, Italy, Japan, D.R. Congo, and Cameroon, prior to coming here. You can see that we’ve been around the world, and I feel very happy to be starting my fifth year here in Beijing! I have now taught internationally more years than I taught in the States! I read and think about teaching and learning a lot. That is fun for me. But, I also like to travel the world (65+ countries visited so far and so many more to plan for!), enjoy my two kitties, camp, read, cook and try to learn about technology and photography. Most important to me is to go to bed everyday appreciating something new and being content with the ‘me’ I have put into the world. It is a privilege to be a part of our community here at BWYA!
Head of Learning Support Team
David Dee
Dear Parents,
My name is David Dee and I come from Scotland in the U.K. I have been a teacher for nearly twenty years now. This is my third year at BWYA and I have taught at both LPC and UPC. Beijing is an amazing place to live and I am enjoying learning about China.
I am very excited this year to be taking on a new role as the Head of the Learning Support Team. I am looking forward to working with the children, parents and staff at BWYA to make sure that every child has the support they need. We all want every child to reach their full potential.
K Class Teachers
Head of K Class, KB Homeroom Teacher
Chantal Butzbach
My name is Chantal Butzbach. I am the Head of K-Class as well as the Homeroom teacher for K-Blue. I am American, though I grew up in Morocco. Most recently I have been living in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, where I taught a 4th and 5th grade combination class. Before that, I was teaching in the American state of California for three years, then at the Rabat American School in Morocco for 10 years. This is my fifth year in China, and I have really been enjoying my time here.
I earned my teaching certificate from the College of New Jersey, in the United States. I believe it is important to create a safe, community-based environment in which every child is able to grow and flourish to the best of their abilities. Curriculum differentiation and child-based learning are key ingredients of my philosophy as well as cooperative learning and hands-on experiences. I also believe that children gain invaluable experiences through play-based learning. Parents and caregivers are the most important influences in a child’s life, with teachers following a close second. I believe that teachers and parents should work closely in order to help the students get the most out of their school experience.
KB Co-Teacher
Yu Xian Fang
My name is Rose. I am the co-teacher for K-Blue. I graduated from Shandong University of Political Science and Law. My major was English. I also received my TEM 8 certificate in the university. I have 5 years of experience working with children of different ages. I am a kind, passionate, patient, and open-minded teacher. My goal is to help every student to reach their potential.
KR Homeroom Teacher
Gillian Stubbings
My name is Gillian May Stubbings. I am from England, but I have been living in Asia for over 6 years now. I have been in Beijing for two years, and this is my second year teaching in KR. Before moving to China, I worked as a teacher in Thailand and Vietnam for 4 years, with experience from Kindergarten to high school.
I have a BA in Fine Art from Manchester Metropolitan University and a TEFL certificate. I am currently studying a postgraduate in international education from the University of Nottingham. In the UK, I worked as a teaching assistant in university and an arts specialist in primary schools.
I have taught students from the age of 3 to 23, but Kindergarten is where I feel the most passionate about teaching. In my classroom, I hope to inspire enthusiasm and curiosity in children, making them feel happy and excited to learn.
I look forward to working with you all this year.
KR Co-Teacher
Ivy Guo
My name is Ivy, Guo Ruiyi. I have been teaching for 7 years. Prior to coming to BWYA, I worked as an English teacher and also a homeroom teacher. I have a BA in English and TESOL(Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification. In addition, I passed TEM8 and TEM4.
I love working with Children and I gain great satisfaction when I see students build and improve. Being a teacher is a challenging career, I am always ready for any challenge and enjoy forming a family-like unit in my classroom. I am looking forward to a fun and productive year!
KY Homeroom Teacher
Elin Pan
Welcome! My name is Elin Pan. I am from Sweden, but I have also lived in Norway and in the UK. This is my 4th year in Beijing and I am enjoying learning the Chinese language and culture.
I have a BA in Educational studies from the University of York and I completed my teacher training (PGCE) at York St John University in the UK. Prior to coming to Beijing, I worked as a class teacher in inner-city London for 4 years, with experience across Grades 1 to 5. This is my third year at BWYA and I look forward to working with you all.
KY Co-Teacher
Li Chun Ming
KG Homeroom Teacher
Maile Agnew
Dear Parents,
My name is Maile Agnew. I am from the United States of America. This is my 5th year teaching in Beijing and 2nd at BWYA.
I have a BA in Psychology and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification from a Texas A&M University system school. In addition to my TESOL certification, I also have TEFL-C (Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Children) certification, and a TEFL in China certification.
I am looking forward to working with you all and having another great year in K-class!
KG Co-Teacher
Zhang Li Wan
My name is Wendy. This is my fifth year with Beijing World Youth Academy as a co-teacher (kindergarten and first-grade). I have been a teacher for 10 years with students aged between 2 to 11 years old. With the growth of teaching years, I increasingly realize the importance of teachers’ self-learning. So, at present, I use my spare time to study child development and educational psychology in the Institute of psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Because I know that what I am facing is the extremely vulnerable soul of children. Learning in school is not a simple transfer of knowledge without enthusiasm, but a spiritual contact between teachers and students at all times.
Looking forward to seeing you all!
Chinese Teachers
I’m Fu Xiaoxiao and I’m thrilled to be teaching Second Grade this school year. I’ve been working teaching in international schools for more than ten years. I’ve teaching students Chinese literature, language as well as culture. This is my 7th year with Beijing World Youth Academy. I feel so proud of being a teacher. And I believe that the task of education is to build up an optimal cultural context in a manner appropriate to the nature of children’s life, to help children enjoy their lives better in the future. Let them start with enjoying their childhood and Chinese.
大家好，我是Ms. Jenny（任倞宜），一二年级的语文老师。今年是我在世青国际学校工作的第6年，也是我担任中文教学的第5年。一二年级是学习习惯养成的重要时期，也是基础知识学习以及语言能力提升的关键时期。很开心这一学年能够陪伴孩子们一起学习，共同进步。家长和老师的密切配合是了解孩子学习动向、促使孩子学习进步的最有效途径。愿新的学年我们能够家校密切沟通、合作，让孩子们收获满满，为语文学习打下扎实的基础。
“爱他如他所是，而非我们所想”，让我们用爱与包容，共同陪伴孩子们健康快乐成长。
大家好，我是Ms. Jada（赵佼），语言B和二年级的道德与法治老师。很高兴今年加入世青国际学校，也很期待和世青的孩子们一起成长。我们会通过学生喜欢的主体活动，进行深入浅出的，科学的智育、美育和生活启蒙教育。为学生形成积极的生活态度，良好的道德品质和他们的实际生存能力打基础。坚持以学生品行教育为主线，抓好学生品行教育和养成良好习惯。我相信爱是世界上最棒、最美的东西，但也看不见、摸不着，得靠心来感知。让我们世青的孩子们心中都充满爱。
大家好，我是Ms. Fiona（赵晓娩），担任一年级的语文和道法老师。加入世青5年来，一直在一年级工作，这五年的教学经验使我对一年级学生的学习和成长特点有了更加深入的了解。一年级是孩子们习惯养成的关键时期，也是学习生涯的开端。在这一年孩子们不仅在学习方面面临挑战，更在行为习惯上会有很大的变化。希望与家长们紧密联系，共同配合，帮助孩子们不断进步,顺利渡过幼小衔接阶段。
PE Teachers
My name is Nabil Zafati. I am an American / Moroccan. I went to a French / Moroccan school, where I discovered my talent for learning languages. I earned a Bachelor’s degree from a European institute and my PE teaching courses are from a program out of Washington DC. This has made me a special person who respects and accepts the diversity of different cultures. Growing up internationally has helped to shape who I am today.
After moving from Los Angeles, California, I taught PE for many years at the Rabat American School in Morocco, then moved to the American International School of Brazzaville, in Congo, as the Athletics director and PE teacher. This will be my fourth year at BWYA where I enjoy being with our young learners every day. I am looking forward to another successful year teaching all of your students.
My primary goal is to teach the whole student. I do this by providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge that will allow them to see the value of a healthy lifestyle and to learn the lifelong benefits of physical education providing a fun, engaging, safe, non-threatening, and positive environment. I give students an opportunity to find enjoyment in PE by sharing my passion for physical activity and movement.
Dear Parents,
My name is Dwayne Brittion and I am from sunny South Africa. My love for children and wanting to play a role in their development, motivated me to complete my Bachelor’s Degree in Education through the University of South Africa. I believe that healthy habits should be cultivated from an early age to ensure longevity. It is for this reason that I strive to provide students with active, joyful learning experiences.
Being a sportsman myself, I have learnt the importance of teamwork, mutual respect and dedication. It’s virtues like these that I would like to instil within the learners I have the pleasure of teaching.
Above all I want to teach learners to win with humility, lose with grace, and to do both with dignity.
I look forward to making 2020-2021 a fun and exciting year in PE.
Dear Parents,
My name is Geng Mei. I have been teaching PE for primary students in BWYA for 5 years. I graduated from Beijing Sport University. I do this by providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge that will allow them to see the value of healthy lifestyle. I give students an opportunity to find enjoyment in PE by sharing my passion for physical activity and movement! I enjoy being with our young learners every day.
Art Teacher
Dear Parents，
My name is Bai Yin. I have been teaching art for lower primary students in BWYA for 3 years after my postgraduate education in France. As a teacher for younger students, I enjoy encouraging kids to think, practice and improve. I am excited to teach and work with them and feel so proud when they tell me how much they love art!
Music Teacher
My name is Gerren Vincent. Overall, I have over 20 years of performing arts experience to coincide with an 11-year teaching career. My mother is a drama teacher and community theatre director. My father is a music teacher. I have taught children in Beijing for over six years now.
I first developed my music career at the young age of twelve, picking up the trombone, my first brass instrument. During high school, I received district honors in my home state of Kansas for my trombone and tuba performances. As a brass and wind instrument specialist, I have also learned the euphonium, bass trombone, and the trumpet. I played on a music scholarship in my private university in Baldwin City, Kansas (Baker University) throughout my bachelor’s degree with the University’s classical orchestra, and the jazz band.
Drama Teacher
Dear Parents,
My name is Pan Qi but the students call me Ms. June. I graduated from the South China University of Technology and majored in English. My passion has always been teaching. After graduation, I joined the organization “Teach for China” and taught in Yunnan for two years as a volunteer teacher. That experience encouraged me to keep cultivating my teaching career. Later on, I came to Beijing and worked as an English drama teacher for two years and Eco-Drama curriculum designer for one year.
I believe love is the source of creation and teaching is also learning and sharing. For the time spent with children in BWYA, we will grow together happily and lovingly.”
Learning Support Teacher
Hello, I’m Hasnaa Yafi,
I am from Casablanca, Morocco. This is my sixth year working at BWYA, my second year working as a Learning Support teacher for the Primary school. Prior to that, I was a Kindergarten Homeroom teacher for four years.
I hold a Master degree in Elementary Education as well as a Teaching Certification in Elementary Education both from The College of New Jersey, USA. I have a TEFL certification (Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language), and a French as a Second Language Teaching Certificate. I also studied Business and hold a Bachelor degree in Commerce and Management.
Prior to joining BWYA, I worked at ISB as a Substitute Teacher for grades K to 12 for one year, and before that I was a Teaching Assistant at the American School of Casablanca for two years.
I am looking forward to working alongside the learning support team and helping all students achieve their full potential.
Dear Parents,
My name is Ellie Liu and I’m from Hebei province. I have a master’s degree in Education from Shenzhen University and I have three teacher qualification certificates, including kindergarten, middle school English and high school English. I also have TEFL-C (Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Children) certificate and I got a full score in TOEFL Reading.
I have been working with children since 2012 and I have taught English to students aged from 2 to 18, but mostly preschool and primary school children. I believe that young students can learn better through activities and games so I always try to make my English lessons fun and interesting. I think it’s important for the students to feel comfortable and emotionally supported in the class, which can reduce their behavior problems and thus contribute to their learning outcomes.
My master’s degree and multiple certifications will help me bring out the best in your children. My vast experience in the classroom has prepared me to give your children what they all deserve, the best possible instruction that encourages full engagement and have your children ready to achieve the best!
I look forward to working with you all this year.
What We Teach
Language Arts
Building and applying literacy skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) in English.
Science
Building a deep understanding of a broad scope of scientific areas
Mathematics
Building fundamental numeracy skills.
Drama
Developing a student’s confidence and creativity in performing dramas on stage
Unit of Inquiry
In this class, we focus on achieving mainly Humanities and Science learning targets through topical units of inquiry. English literacy and numeracy skills are also built as part of these studies.
Chinese Language Arts
In Chinese class, we focus on building literacy skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) in Chinese.
Physical Education & Health
In PE class, we focus on building spatial awareness, coordination, movement and teamwork. We also focus on topics that relate to healthy living and individual well-being.
Visual Arts
In Visual Arts class, we focus on building both knowledge of art history as well as familiarity and proficiency with different media and techniques.
Music
In Music class, we focus on both music appreciation and performance using voice and instruments.
Extended Homeroom
Every Friday morning, we focus on building understanding of different Virtues as part of our character development programme.
Technology
Technology tasks will be integrated into Unit of Inquiry and Language Arts activities.
Character Development
At BWYA Primary School, our definition of learning is:
Learning is a continual process of acquiring knowledge and developing skills, positive attitudes and dispositions that lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
At BWYA Primary School, our definition of International Mindedness is:
Opening our eyes and minds to understand and develop our identity within our own culture while being mindful and respectful of others’ ideas, values and beliefs whether we see similarities or differences.
Cross-Campus
Counselling Joyce Wang
Dear parents，
My name is Wang Yayuan – Joyce. I am the school counselor for the LPC campus. This is the second year for me to join the BWYA family, and I feel so honored and excited to work with the excellent team here.
I obtained my bachelor of Applied Psychology from Bangor University in the UK. I used to work with children, adolescents and adults as a psychologist for my private practice for 6 years, as well as part-time school counselor in a public primary school and international pediatric clinic. Also I worked as a shadow teacher at international schools for over 2 years before I came here.
I now find myself with the most passion I have had during my career, that is, working with younger kids in various settings. This makes me feel exactly matched with this position at BWYA. I see every child reaches their own potential and has the right to be supported well. I strongly believe that communication between parents and teachers is crucial for this. You are always welcomed to reach me by email at wangyayuan@ibwya.net.
Programme Administration
Primary School Principal Aaron Wise awise@ibwya.net
Head of Lower Primary Betsy Greenway bgreenway@ibwya.net
Head of Upper Primary Andrew Abbey aabbey@ibwya.net
Primary School Campus Manager Ji Fei jifei@ibwya.net
IPC Programme Assistant Upper Primary Librarian Tona Miao miaocuiping@ibwya.net
Head of Learning Support Team David Dee ddee@ibwya.net
