ACAMIS 2025 Spring Leadership Conference at XLIS

 

From April 25th to 26th, the ACAMIS 2025 Spring Leadership Conference was successfully held at Xi’an Liangjiatan International School. This was the first high-level conference of ACAMIS held in the northwest region, attracting nearly 500 principals, senior management personnel from 93 member schools, and representatives from pilot schools for “International Understanding Education” in primary and secondary schools in Shaanxi Province. They gathered together to exchange ideas and practical experiences, and discuss the prosperity and development of global education.

 

1 Theme

2 Keynote Speeches

3 Panel Discussions

5 Annual General Meetings

80 Workshops

 

The theme of this year’s conference is “The Power of Community”. Centering on this theme, the conference not only featured keynote speeches but also holds over 80 panel discussions and workshops on a variety of topics such as the present and future of international education, women in leadership, community cultivation and co-construction, artificial intelligence, and the development of student health and well-being. Through active and in-depth discussions, education experts from around the world joined hands to explore how to leverage innovative practices to unite the power of the international school community and promote the welfare and inclusiveness of global education.

 

The most anticipated part of the conference was undoubtedly the two keynote speeches delivered by Academician Shi Yigong and renowned author Jennifer Abrams for all the attendees.

 

Professor Shi Yigong

Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

President of Westlake University

 

Westlake Community: Inspired by Commitment to All Humankind

By vividly recounting the founding process of Westlake University, Academician Shi Yigong conveyed the inheritance of the spirit of serving our country through science and education by overseas returnees, as well as the mission and determination of Chinese government and private entrepreneurs in the rejuvenation of China through science and education. Today, under the guidance of a diverse, inclusive and innovative culture, Westlake University is always committed to cultivating future leaders. As President Shi said, “We hope that we can join hands and keep working hard to build a stronger community, because only through education can we ultimately realize the common dream of creating a global community.”

 

Jennifer Abrams

Author, Education Columnist

International Renowned Education and Communication Consultant

 

Stretching at Your Edges: Being Your Best Collaborative Self

Jennifer Abrams analyzed in detail the influence of various factors such as professionalism, relationship trust, respect, ability, and integrity on team collaboration, as well as what capabilities individuals need to possess to become trusted members of a team and maximize the realization of personal and collective efficacy. And paying attention to and understanding oneself is the first step for us to become the best collaborators. ”It isn’t just the team, it’s you and your behaviors and your stretch edges and you growing so that you can be a part of the team.” Said Jennifer.

 

During the three panel discussions, through conversations with educational experts, the participants stood on the shoulders of giants, exploring further into the industry from different perspectives and gaining valuable insights. Among them, the performance of our school’s teachers and students was particularly eye-catching.

 

Panel Discussion 1

The Transition and Collaboration between International Schools and Universities

 

Jane Larsson (Speaker)

Executive Director of the 

Council of International Schools (CIS)

We already have reached peak child population in many countries around the world. There will never be more children entering primary education than there was last year, for example. So what does that mean for the youth of the world where the population is still growing? It means they are going to have infinite opportunities to contribute around the world wherever they choose. And it also then means for those populations that aren’t growing, who will the schools be educating in the future? What will schools look like in the future? How can we blend together the younger students with older students if we truly believe in lifelong learning? I think these are the fundamental questions for all of us about the direction of international education.

 

Lily Liu (Speaker)

Head of XLIS

I would say today as a leader in international school still very exciting but challenging. I think three areas we should still focus on growing. The first one I’d like to say, still global mindset. This is something we want to really help future generation have these kind of skills to cross cultural understanding and communication. The second one I would love to say is a flexible system, promoting the integrated and modernized development of education from preschool to higher education. So I think the last one is maintain humanistic care, and while fostering students’ creativity, also cultivate their empathy and autonomy, so that they do not forget humanistic care while advancing in technological development.

 

Kelvin Tian (Attendee)

Secondary Science Teacher, 

Science Subject Area Leader of XLIS

The conversation examined critical trends shaping global education—AI integration, student agency, and the responsibility of international schools to foster ethical, inclusive citizens. It was a powerful reminder that the future of education is not solely defined by technology or systems, but by maintaining human-centered practices that prioritize wellbeing and community.

 

Panel Discussion 2

Women in Leadership

 

Marly Song (Speaker)

Primary Principal of XLIS

This session was well-attended, with close to 40 participants joining us to share their stories and perspectives on the journeys we have taken to get us to where we are and the obstacles we have faced along the way. Together with myself on the panel were female Heads of Schools from across China, each of us bringing a unique perspective to supporting women to achieve their goals. There were some great questions from the attendees that sparked deep conversation, such as “What initiatives in your schools specifically support girls to develop their leadership skills” and “In the current DEIJ climate, it’s important to value diversity in leadership, but you also want to be recognized for being the right person for the job. How do you navigate that”?  Although each of us have had a different journey to get to where we are within our schools, we all spoke of dedication, perseverance, having a supportive community, loving our jobs, and saying “yes” – take the risk, believe you can do it and go for it. This was my second time sitting on a Women in Leadership panel, and I plan to always attend them in the future when they are offered. It is a wonderful way to build community and connect with other women who are in leadership roles across China.

 

Panel Discussion 3

Leading & Learning in Intergenerational Schools

 

Eva Liu (Speaker)

DP Coordinator, Secondary I&S Teacher, Extended

Essay Coordinator of XLIS

The panel discussion on “Leading & Learning in Intergenerational Schools” at the ACAMIS Annual Leadership Conference offered a dynamic platform to explore the intersections of generational perspectives, cultural influences, and leadership paradigms in fostering academic excellence. Panelists examined subtopics, including generational identities shaped by historical and technological shifts, the influence of cultural backgrounds on generational perspectives, intergenerational collaboration, and the evolving nature of leadership, emphasizing growth, adaptability, and empowerment. Participants engaged in reflective discussions on bridging student, teacher, and administrative voices, promoting personal and professional growth, and ensuring schools remain vibrant, inclusive communities through open communication and action-oriented strategies. The session highlighted the importance of embracing diverse perspectives to cultivate innovative, student-centered educational environments.

 

In addition, the two-day workshops covered a wide range of topics, including school leadership, sports and arts programs, school operations, finance, university counseling, and special education, providing valuable information for educators in various fields to draw on. Both the worshop leaders and the participants from different schools shared different insights.

 

Workshop

Hosting ACAMIS Tournaments

 

 

Zachary Dwyer (Workshop Leader)

Secondary Physical and Health Education Teacher, Athletics Coordinator of XLIS

An integral part of the Spring Leadership Conference is the ACAMIS Sports League Annual General Meeting (AGM). This meeting is an opportunity for the athletic directors from all 93 member schools vote on rule changes to the league’s Charter and finalize dates and hosts for the upcoming school year. Some important dates for XLIS student-athletes in the coming school year include:

Green Division Volleyball – October 23-25 @ SCIS Shanghai

Senior Swimming – December 6-7 @ WCIS Shanghai

Green Division Basketball – January 29-31 @ Keystone Beijing

Junior Swimming – March 13-14 @ XLIS Xi’an

Green Division Soccer – March 19-21 @ YCIS Puxi

In addition to the AGM, the conference is also an opportunity for athletic and activity directors from ACAMIS schools to share best practices and learn from one another. After four years as a conference attendee, I offered to lead one session for athletic directors called “Hosting ACAMIS Tournaments”. The session was well attended by athletic directors and provided a venue to share documents, ideas, and plans to elevate tournaments throughout the network.

 

Why The World Needs Happy Schools

Eunice Hou (Workshop Attendee)

Secondary Chinese Language & Literature Teacher, TOK Teacher of XLIS

The workshop by the head of ICHK HLY, Mr. Derek Pinchbeck, on “Why the World Needs Happy Schools” created a fascinating dialogue across time with Confucian educational philosophy. While traditional perspectives often equate learning with hardship, Confucius deconstructed “practice” as the joy derived from repeated engagement – a joy that stems both from understanding knowledge’s essence and from the self-awakening that occurs through hands-on experience.

 

The deeper value of community lies in creating networks of connection based on shared emotions, needs, and values. These connections encompass both explicit knowledge transfer and implicit cultural inheritance and emotional nurturing. Mr. Pinchbeck’s emphasis on “student well-being” and “community engagement” in the “Happy Schools Global Framework” resonates powerfully with our MYP3 Community Projects. When our students build shelters for stray animals, develop optimization plans for shared bicycles, or lead campus tree-planting initiatives, they’re not only completing tasks – they’re reconstructing their understanding of civic engagement. This education cultivates community members’ sense of belonging and responsibility through authentic participation in real-world scenarios.

 

Furhermore, XLIS’s annual “Week Without Walls” exemplifies this ideal of community education that transcends geographical boundaries. The eudaimonic happiness generated through such educational experiences operates on two levels: for individuals, it’s the self-actualization that comes from transforming knowledge into action; for groups, it’s the awareness of interconnectedness sparked by social responsibility.

 

When we reconstruct community education through the wisdom of “learning and practicing regularly”, we observe that happiness isn’t an additional feature of education but its essential characteristic; community isn’t education’s container but its nurturing soil. Education’s value lies in enabling each community member to discover ways of coexisting with others and the world through the joy of practice. This educational ecology, grounded in happiness, may well be the remedy for modern anxiety and the key to rebuilding social connections.

 

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the establishment of ACAMIS. As the most influential non-profit international school organization in East and Southeast Asia, over the past two decades, it has played a bridging role in promoting regional educational cooperation, enhancing the international understanding education, and facilitating exchanges between teachers and students of schools in China and Mongolia. The fact that ACAMIS has chosen the ancient capital of Xi’an as the venue for this year’s conference for the first time also holds extraordinary symbolic significance. As the birthplace of Chinese civilization and the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, Xi’an has witnessed the convergence and integration of countless cultures and ideas. Discussing the future of the “educational community” on this rich cultural soil is not only a retrospective and tribute to historical civilization, but also a demonstration of confidence and vision for achieving high-quality international education development in the northwest region.

 

Education strengthens through connection, and communities grow stronger through collaboration. In the new era, basic education should not only serve the national strategy but also focus on students’ future. It is essential to balance opening up to the world and inheriting local culture. Educators should take it as their responsibility to cultivate a new generation of international talents who have both a sense of national identity and a global perspective. Through high-quality and international dialogue and exchanges, we should continuously build consensus and broaden horizons, contributing to the construction of a more powerful and internationally responsible and accountable educational community.

 

The ACAMIS 2025 Spring Leadership Conference at XLIS has come to a successful conclusion! The conference next year will be hosted by the American International School of Guangzhou (AISG). Let’s look forward to it together!

 

Contributed by Ms. Eva Liu, Ms. Eunice Hou, Mr. Kelvin Tian and Mr. Zach Dwyer.

 

Click here for more details.

 

Author: Fancy Fan (Admin Officer)