IB Diploma Program Reauthorization

In January 2024, two representatives of  the International Baccalaureate (IB) virtually visited with faculty, parents, students, and members of the Board of Trustees as a part of the reauthorization of our IB Diploma Program. 

This visit covered all aspects of our IB Diploma Program, with meetings focusing on the following categories: Purpose, Environment, Culture, and Learning. The purpose of the meetings was to confirm and expand upon an extensive self-study that we conducted on our IB Diploma Program. 

We are very proud of our IB Diploma Program and we were very pleased to have it recognized as a ‘world-class’ program by the report that followed the visit and confirmed our IB status for another five years.

Here is how our program was described by the IB in the report:

“strong commitment to the IB philosophy, culture of learning and holistic development of students.”

“dedicated teaching staff committed to supporting students in all aspects of their wellbeing.”

“students are actively involved in the learning process.”

“safe, nurturing and respectful learning environment.” 

“active, supportive classroom environments.” 

“students experience a caring, inclusive environment.”

“individualized support for students.”

“world-class education that supports and addresses the diverse needs and interests of students.” 

To read the full report, please click here or visit our ISY IB Diploma Program webpage.

The International School Yangon Scholarship College Fund Program

The American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, known as AMCHAM Myanmar, and The International School Yangon (ISY) have joined forces to enhance opportunities for young individuals. Their collaborative efforts are directed towards supporting the educational goals of ISY scholarship students after they graduate from ISY.

The ISY Scholarship College Fund Program’s objectives are in alignment with the ISY Scholarship Program and the ISY Mission Statement. Its primary aim is to extend the goals of the ISY Community Scholarship program, which caters to students in grades 8 through 12. This program offers additional educational prospects to scholarship recipients as they pursue higher education after completing their studies at ISY. 

All ISY Community Scholarship students have the opportunity to apply for a two-year scholarship, with an annual grant of up to $5,000.The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed between AMCHAM and ISY encompasses the period from September 25, 2023, through to the conclusion of the 2026-2027 ISY academic school year. AMCHAM Myanmar has committed to contributing US$31,283.95 to support the ISY Scholarship College Fund Program.

Accolades for Dr. Hedger

Congratulations to Dr. Hedger for being appointed both to the EARCOS Board of Trustees and to the Presidency of the AAIE Board of Trustees.

AAIE

The Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE) (founded in 1966) is a not-for-profit association of international schools around the world.  They have over 300 member shcools.  AAIE promotes exemplary school leadership and effective and innovative educational practices.

Collective Care  at The International School Yangon: Nurturing Compassionate Global Citizens. The Journal of the Association for the Advancement of International Education InterEd.

Ms. Sandy Sheppard, our Elementary Principal has had an article published. She emphasizes that ISYs Learner Attributes are the building blocks of collective care.  (p29-31).

Differentiation in High School Science, The EARCOS Triannual Journal Spring Issue 2023

Rentia Smith and Kirstin Hedger write about adapting teaching methods to reach all students regardless of skill level or learning needs (p24-25).

A Safe Foundation for Learning: Lessons from the Pandemic, AAIE InterEd, May 2023

Mike Simpson, the Secondary Principal at ISY reflects on safety and well being in instructional practices (p24-29).

My Identity as an International Educator
The International Educator, Apr 2023

Sandy Sheppard talks about how working in an international school has shaped her identity as a school leader.

Please listen to Sandy’s podcast and read her article published in The International Educator.

Composting at ISY
Earcos Journal, Jan 2023

Ian Nixon and Isabel Davis write about supporting the Sustainable Development Goals through a Grade 4 composting project.

Making an iMPACT
Earcos Journal, Jan 2023

Danny McCamlie explains a great initiative between High School and Middle School students showing how students can really make a difference.

Wellness in Action
International School Leader Magazine, Sept 2022

Mick Amundsen-Geisel, a secondary school counselor at ISY, talks about a student initiative promoting wellness in schools in the aftermath of Covid.

How to Prepare for the Unknown
The International Educator, April 2021

Wyatt Franz, a teacher at ISY, follows up on his last piece reflecting on the challenges of teaching at this turbulent time.

Asian Koels make everything OK.
The International Educator, March 2021

Wyatt Franz, a teacher at ISY, reflects on optimism during the the time of Covid.

Passion in Education
An interview of Dr. Hedger from Tammy MacNeil on February 5th, 2020

Dr. Hedger is here again featuring in a podcast from the Seraj Training Centre based out of Doha. This time his theme is passion in education. You can view the full video here.

A Compassion Conference at ISY
The International Educator, December 2019

Mike Simpson, the Director of Curriculum and Learning at ISY reports on a visit by Wilma and Cliff Derksen during a professional development program centered around compassion.

The Forgotten TCKs: How we can help children whose best friends move?
The International Educator, December 2019

Caitlin Tegenfeldt and Tabitha Davis talk through the difficulties felt by students who lose their close friends often multiple times in the international school environment and what can be done to alleviate their sense of loss.

The Climate is Changing, Why Aren’t We?
The International Educator, December 2019

Student writers from the ISY online magazine ‘Global’ feature on the front page of The International Educator Magazine. The writers are Aye Chan, Phaebe (Class of 2021) Haein, Hayman, and Stuti (Class of 2022), supported by Todd Davis, the Service Learning Coordinator.

Compassion in Education
An interview of Dr. Hedger from Tammy MacNeil on April 27th, 2019

Dr. Hedger discusses how the school community adopted a mission statement steeped in compassion and the advantages, both personal and academic, that this change had on the students and community.

Leading Small Schools Delivers Big Learning
The International Educator, February 2019

Dr. Gregory Hedger talks of his experience running a small school at the beginning of his career and how that prepared him for working in larger schools later on.

Third Culture Adulting
The International Educator, February 2019

Caitlin Tegenfeldt and Tabitha Davis talk follow up on their article about the difficulties felt by students who lose their close friends this time concentrating on adults going through the same process and what can be done to alleviate a sense of loss.

Lost Days, Lost Money, Lost Learning: Mitigating Teacher Absence.
The International Educator, October 2018

Brett Mcleod writes about the issue of teacher absence and how the problems caused by absenteeism can be reduced in schools.

Education Is not a Zero-Sum Game
The International Educator, April 2018

Mike Simpson, the Director of Curriculum and Learning at ISY looks at the difference between athletics and education and shows how education ‘is a game where everyone can win simultaneously’.