Brent started his career as an international educator in Damascus, Syria. Although trained in science education, he first worked as a high school English teacher, because there was a need and Brent was available and able to fill it. Already, Brent was showing his innate ability as an educator, rather than simply “science teacher.” While there, Brent created a wrestling program, and organized tournaments with international schools in neighboring countries.
Brent’s next school was in La Paz, Bolivia. His creations there involved planning, designing, and helping with the manual labor for an indoor climbing wall; one that was later used to host Bolivia’s national rock climbing championships. As the Chemistry and Physics teacher, he taught Advanced Placement Physics, and although it was his first year ever teaching the course, took the school from a historic 0% passing rate to a 90% passing rate. He also pioneered an outdoor adventure club and led students up rock faces and mountains, students who previously felt low confidence in their athletic abilities.
In February 2002, Brent was offered a job in Islamabad, Pakistan. Although many other educators were leery of that part of the world, Brent has never been one to let very much stand in the way of pursuing his dreams. While teaching at the International School of Islamabad, Brent was nominated for the International Teacher of the Year. He was instrumental in rebuilding a school culture that had been torn by the aftermath of September 11th, 2001. He designed and implemented team-building activities for the school and co-chaired the school culture committee. He initiated a peer-mentoring program for teachers, which allowed teachers to work together and learn from one another in a structured manner.
It was during the time in Pakistan that Brent really began to outpace his fellow educators. He was the first to incorporate technology into his classroom on a regular basis, and the first to work with his students in designing true “real world” projects. He created a community service program and went with his students countless Saturdays to a hospice care facility. He led by example, although not many other educators followed his lead.
After three years in Pakistan, a change in the school’s administration, to one that was not supportive of Brent’s work, led Brent to seek employment elsewhere. He accepted an offer to work at the prestigious Taipei American School as a middle school mathematics teacher. Brent found out immediately upon arrival that the school was far from innovative and that “this is the way we have always done it” was king. Brent went ahead with his ideas, his knowledge and belief about the best way to educate youth. He was told innumerable times that it would not work, that he could not do it, that the parents would complain, etc. Again, Brent does not listen to the crowds. He went ahead and designed his classes in ways that are best for students, not naysayers. And, a small miracle happened. Parents and students were supportive. Not only supportive, but devote believers. He turned around the lives of his students. They still write to him; they miss him terribly.
And this is where the fates intervened. Brent got a call asking if he was interested in starting a new international school south of Taipei, in another Taiwanese city called Hsinchu. Brent accepted the position as the school’s Director of Curriculum and Innovation.
At Hsinchu International School (HIS), Brent is turning his vision into reality. He is working with the school’s educators to create a truly “changed” curriculum. His design for the school includes internships, an advisory program, community service, a small school culture, all school gatherings, time in the schedule for real educator collaboration, and thoughtfulness about every single student’s individual needs every minute of the day. It is an amazing vision to be a part of. HIS is one of the most innovative schools outside of the United States. It has flourished against all odds in a very conservative part of the world. If Brent can build a school like HIS in Taiwan, he can build a school anywhere.
Brent’s goal is to use HIS as a model for other small international schools around the world. I have yet to hear Brent make plans that don’t turn into action.
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