History and Leadership
Zhuhai International School (ZIS) was given official approval by the Zhu Hai government to operate as an international school in 2004. The approval was granted as part of a measure to improve the investment environment in Zhu Hai city. The school was founded by an independent investor who has previously established several international schools in China and successfully founded educational organizations around the world. ZIS¡¯ educational development including curriculum design and teachers¡¯ training is supported by educational experts from the University of Pennsylvania¡¯s Graduate School of Education (GSE).
The school is supported by the Advisory Board of highly esteemed education experts from the United States and Asia. The Advisory Board is responsible for establishing the overall policy and objectives of the school and for ensuring that an excellent education is provided to students.
ZIS Advisory Board Profiles
Dr. Cheng Yan Davis was the first visiting scholar from China to the University of Pennsylvania¡¯s Graduate School of Education (GSE). Currently she is Vice Dean of the Graduate School and Director of International Programs. She is responsible for such initiatives as the Six Nations Educational Research Project.
Dr. John Yip, former Director General of Education in Singapore, also served as the CEO/Executive Director of the Singapore Institute of Management and
Conceptualized and established the Singapore International School in Hong Kong, on whose foundation board he still serves. Among many honors, he was awarded Singapore¡¯s Gold Medal for Public Administration and France¡¯s Officier dans l¡¯Ordre des Palmes Academique.
Jeffrey David Fischmann completed his MA at the University of California. He has had extensive experience in teaching and in administration in international schools. He is a member of the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools
(EARCOS) and numerous other international associations. He speaks Chinese fluently and has 25 years experience working in international schools in China and Taiwan.
Dr. John DeFlaminis is Executive Director of the Penn Center for Educational Leadership. As Superintendent of the Radnor Township School System, one of the best performing systems in the United States, Dr. DeFlaminis developed
standards-based systems with international benchmarks.
Dr. Alfonso Orsini was appointed Upper School Principal/ IB Coordinator at Newark Academy in Livingston, New Jersey, one of the oldest schools in the United States, after having 11 years of teaching experience. He subsequently served as Headmaster at Leysin American School in Switzerland and Director of Emirates National School in Abu Dhabi. He completed his BA in English at Hamilton College, his MA in English at Long Island University, and his doctorate in Educational Administration at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Dr. Michael K. Yen has a Ph.D. in Analytical Psychology, a Masters degree in International Relations, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in?Holistic Healing?while also conducting post doctoral studies in Jungian Psychology. Mr. Yen was formerly Chief of Immigrant Visa Operations for China at the US Consulate General in Guangzhou, Contracting and Procurement Officer for the US Embassy in Beijing, Economics Reporting Officer at the US Embassy in Tokyo, Fraud Prevention Manager at the US Consulate General in Hong Kong and Student Affairs Officer at the American Institute in Taipei. |
