When asked, just what is AAIE, I often tell
people AAIE is a place to come to, as Robert Penn Warren once
wrote. For many of us in international education, AAIE is literally
a place to come to—as we gather together at the end of the recruitment trail to
share ideas, stories, and to enjoy the company of so many friends, old and
new. I find the annual AAIE Conference akin to finding shelter from a
storm. The fact that the gathering takes place amid a stimulating
professional conference where colleagues share innovative programs with one
another and visionaries in education shake us out of complacency and force us
to redouble our commitment to our boldest visions for our schools makes the
conference one of the most significant events on my calendar. I know many
of you share that sentiment.
But, let us not forget that AAIE is so very much more than a once-a-year
event. AAIE is an organization committed to international education in
the largest sense of the term, working hand in hand with so many others who
have committed their professional lives to the community of international
schools. From a rich collection of summer institutes for teachers and
administrators, to Headnet, to the newly created Board Advisory Panel, to
ongoing efforts to increase bridges with university programs and
internationally-minded companies and institutes, to AAIE’s recent partnership
with AISH and others on the teacher recruitment task force, to our on-going
collaboration with the Office of Overseas Schools, and the rapidly expanding
opportunities AAIE members have to gather through the wonders of cyberspace,
AAIE plays a vital role in all of our schools and lives each and every day.
When I was invited to serve as President of AAIE, one of the things that struck
me most deeply was the enormous responsibility this position presented—not
merely because of the pivotal role AAIE plays for all of us today—but because
of the incredible history of the organization.
One of the most critical aspects facing all of us who belong to AAIE is the
solemn responsibility we have to honor the work of those who preceded us in
AAIE’s long and brilliant history. Like so many of you, I am indebted to
so many who have served in leadership roles in this organization. People
like Dean David Smith, Gordon Parsons, Gil Brown, Cliff Strommen, Dick
Krajczar, Ernie Manino, Stanley and Mary Ann Haas, and Clark Kirkpatrick—to
name just a few of those who gave so much to AAIE and who have touched our
lives, personally and professionally, in the deepest possible ways.
Without them, AAIE would not be the organization it is today. Nor
would many of us be who we are or where we are today. We must never lose
sight of the history of this organization and the leaders who have given us a treasure
to guide us through the challenging years ahead.
As we all know, great organizations are driven by a commitment to shared values
and beliefs. I would like to invite you to join me in a brief reflection
on just what drives this remarkable organization.
AAIE believes that
1) Education is key to ensuring a peaceful, ethical and
sustainable future
2) Every individual has intrinsic value and deserves respect
3) Diversity strengthens community and enriches lives
4) High expectations are necessary to achieve excellence
5) Continuous improvement requires taking risks, seizing
opportunities and making meaningful change
6) Sustained commitment and optimism lead to success
7) Honesty and integrity are fundamental to building and
maintaining trusting relationships
8) We are all responsible for our own actions, for the well
being of others, and for preserving the earth
With a history created over four decades by some of the most remarkable
educational leaders anywhere in the world, and a growing membership that hails
from every corner of our globe, with the commitment of a selfless Board of
Trustees working in concert with our talented Executive Director, Elsa Lamb,
(and, let us never forget the quiet but tireless support of Keith Miller and
his team of Regional Officers in the Office of Overseas Schools), all built
firmly atop a foundation of such powerful beliefs, who can doubt that the
future of our organization, the future of this global family of educational
leaders, will be anything but bright?
Please feel free to contact the Executive Director, members of the Board of
Trustees or me whenever we can be of assistance to you in the exciting and
challenging work you do each day to create the international schools of
tomorrow. I look forward to working with and for each of you in the good
years ahead.
All best wishes,
Edward E. Greene, Ph.D.
President
Director, The International School of Amsterdam