Dreaming

As I settle to life in Bucharest and AISB, I am gradually getting to know the people, the culture, and the language and, importantly, acquiring a better sense of the school and the vision that propels its students into the future.

After many years of teaching, my convictions about what makes an excellent education have evolved as we become more informed of the learning process. But, conversely there are some aspects that I feel never change, one of these is taking risks and having the moralcourage to think and act differently, not for the sake of being different, but to changethe world, even in a small way, for thebetter; the butterfly effect!

However, the actions of everyone are insome way influenced by the structuralcharacteristics of the society in which they are raised, its values, ideals and culture. We create our reality, but we do so under the weight or the past and our previous experiences. To paraphrase Mr. Marx, we make our own future, but not just aswe please. It is perhaps difficult, if notimpossible, to jettison our own cultural legacy and dream a reality that radically shifts from it. The separation between reality and appearances does not, however, hinder the search for meaning, but reduces it to a realistic perspective. Whatever the basis of personal belief, be it Sartre’s existential solipsism, Heisenberg’s uncertainties on the nature of matter, or Feyerabend’s practical relativism, the answer to the dilemma of our perception of reality and our ability to uncover any fundamental truths cannot be achieved merely through the abstract manipulation of words and concepts.

We do not perceive everything ‘as it is’, an absolute reality, but one which was bound within our own cultural blinkers and interpretations. However, without pushing the philosophical boundaries too far, howdo we dream the impossible dream or findsomething that you do not know exists?

Keep your options open!

 

What is it that allows us to recognize the genius of the writings of Shakespeare that command our respect and appreciation as to the valid portrayal of the world around us? Is it just a consequence of powerful analytical processes which draw from the coalescence of ideas and concepts which have passed the test of time?

 

Live a little!

 

As a certain J.M. Power remarked, ‘if you want to make your dreams come true,the first thing you have to do is wake up.’Face life’s hurdles and jump, or step, or take a running jump if necessary; but, whatever happens do something that willlift you up; hurdles by definition are neverthat high, you just need to be able to get over them, knock them down, trip on the top bar, snag your foot on the wooden bar, run through them if necessary; but whatever happens you will get over it!
 

We have plans to build more buildings, improve the resources in the classroom, improve the standard of teaching, and give students hope and educational guidance to achieve their potential. But above all we must continue to nurture in the students a sense of wonder of the world around them, as they once had as a small child, and to play an active part in its evolution.
 

So, we must never forget to sing the words of Louis Armstrong, ‘what awonderful world’.
 

Regards,

Robert Brindley AISB Director



AISB WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR

 

Dr. Robert Brindley joins us from the International School in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. As a geophysicist following his University Studies at Exeter University in the UK, Robert began his career in mining exploration in Dublin, Southern Ireland. Robert’s urge to travel took him to various locations around the world for work, including Norway, Tunisia, Israel, Greece, Austria, Italy, Venezuela, New Zealand, Australia, Uzbekistan, and now Romania.

Meeting his future wife Jann whilst working in Israel, they both returned to England to get married. At this time, Robert also decided to make a career change and thus undertook an educational, postgraduate degree to become a teacher. In the years that followed, he taught Mathematics and Chemistry in Cornwall, after which Jann and he moved to Italy where he became Head of Mathematics and Science at the Junior English School. Another move lead them to Queensland, Australia where Robert served as Deputy Headmaster at The Kooralbyn International School, and later Housemaster and Head of Science at The Armidale School in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. It was here that Robert completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration at the University of New England, Australia, in 1996. Robert and Jann, and by now their two boys, then moved to Venezuela to the British School in Caracas, to make the most of an international education for the children. Robert served a myriad of school leadership roles including Director of Studies, Deputy Headmaster, and Headmaster of Secondary School. 2001 brought about another move, this time to Atlanta, USA, and Atlanta International School. First joining the faculty as Head of Middle School and Director of Secondary Academic Studies, Robert was later appointed Headmaster. During their eight years in Atlanta, Robert became an active member with the Council for International Schools (CIS), serving as an Advisor to their Accreditation Service.

In Robert’s words, “My travels and work experiences across the globe developed and nurtured an understanding and tolerance of differing social attitudes, perceptions and expectations. So our move to Uzbekistan, in 2009, toassume the role of Director atTashkent International School, took no one by surprise!”

We are very happy to now welcome Robert and Jann to AISB and to further grow under Robert’s experienced leadership. The AISB Alumni Association Executive Team has already worked closely with him to develop ideas for the AA and we will be sharing news with you soon. As always, our Alumni are always invited to pop in for a visit and take the opportunity to meet AISB’s new Director.

Read the entire WORLD Magazine Winter 2014 edition here.