In a JIS Podcast first, host and Middle and High School Curriculum Coordinator Joanna Sommers is joined by a JIS student as guest speaker. In this episode, High School Senior Nelson tells us what it’s like experiencing his final year at JIS amid a pandemic and away from campus, staying motivated during Home & Online Learning, and how he pushes through the various related challenges to keep his Dragon Spirit up and continue his passion for service learning. He also gives us a special preview of his book, “Let’s Learn Basic English,” and how he was inspired to write it.

We’re all familiar with the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) in preparing students for the technologically driven world outside of school. But did you know that the learning approach has been expanded to STEAM to include the arts?

In this episode of the JIS Podcast, host Joanna Sommers speaks to Middle School Vocals Teacher Morgan Banino and Middle School Band Teacher Rick Beder on how the art of music fits into STEAM. They discuss the many cognitive benefits music is proven to have on a child’s development while promoting perseverance, responsibility, as well as balance and fun — all of which are part of JIS’s core values.

Also, get to know these two talented musicians as they look back on their respective teaching careers at international schools around the world!

In this episode of the JIS Podcast, our steadfast host Joanna Sommers, Middle School and High School Curriculum Coordinator, explores the various mental health issues and concerns that have affected students during the pandemic and Home & Online Learning.

Her special guests are Early Years/Elementary School Counselors Lyndsy Duet and Brian Krembs, as well as School Psychologist Hayley Edmonds, who have been working closely with JIS families and students to help them deal with loneliness, isolation, and sibling conflicts.

Please join Joanna Sommers, MS/HS Curriculum Coordinator, in conversation with Ryan Campbell, High School Vice Principal of Curriculum and Learning. Ryan shares his insights and understanding gained from extensive research into Cognitive Science and its role in education. How can we use and apply the evidence-based findings of cognitive science in the classroom to enhance the way our students learn? How can students better understand the way their brains work to improve the way they study for exams?

This week, Joanna Sommers is joined by Barbara Wiemers, High School Vice Principal of Student Affairs and Heather DeVore, High School Counsellor. Together they talk about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and how it informs all aspects of our students' development and educational experiences. Whilst SEL is not new, it has certainly come to the forefront this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Barbara and Heather share their wonderful insights and experiences of working with our young people here in the JIS High School.

Join Joanna Sommers, Middle and High School Curriculum Coordinator, in conversation with JIS's new Middle School Principal Noah Bohnen. They discuss Noah's arrival at JIS during a pandemic; what makes JIS middle school - and middle schoolers - so special; some of the unintended benefits of online learning for our students and how parents can support their children at home.