Welcome to the September Issue of the IBNA e-Newsletter

Dear Colleagues:

In many ways, the world becomes smaller when the new school year begins. Whether you are working at an IB World School or involved in the IB in some other way, the formula is simple. Students are back in the hallways and in the classrooms, and that has a wonderful way of focusing our energy and effort on matters that are local and immediate. This is as it should be. But belonging to the larger IB community means that, while we spend our time nurturing students in our backyard, our neighborhood extends around the world. The IB community brings us into contact with a wonderful diversity of perspectives, from many different places and with many different voices. Consider the variety of viewpoints represented by the authors of the major articles in this newsletter:

• A commander of a large US Army base in Maryland who is an active member of the IB Advisory Board in his local school district;
• A bilingual, Theory of Knowledge teacher who teaches at an English-speaking school in the French-speaking city of Montréal;
• A Canadian workshop leader who is an expert on teaching technology in the Middle Years Programme
• A former principal at a Title I PYP school in South Carolina, who now oversees IB programmes for her entire school district:
• A philosophy examiner from Colorado;
• And many more.

They all find common ground in the IB. So, as another school year begins, it is time to act locally. But do not forget that you are the heart and soul of a much larger community of teachers and learners. Have a great year!

Sincerely,

Brad Richardson
IBNA Regional Director

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