International School Foundation Profile, January 2012

Larry Balli, Kristy Dewi, Michael Dougherty

The International School Foundation (also registered as the International School Development Foundation) is a not-for-profit foundation established in Lansing, Michigan, USA, as a 501c3 charitable foundation, philanthropic contributions to which may be claimed against U.S. taxes. The mission of the Foundation is to assist in the management and development of small international schools with a U.S. orientation in locations of interest to the Directors and having a sustainable population for school development. ISF has founded schools in Australia, China, Indonesia and South Africa, including the International School of Perth (founded 2001 and now under different management as the International School of Western Australia), the North Jakarta International School (established in 1990 with management shifted to the Podomoro Corporation in 2012), Shanghai Community International Schools (established in 1996, now with two campuses in Hongqiao, one for PreK-12th Grade campus and the other exclusively for Early Childhood, and Upper and Lower School campuses in Pudong), the American International School of Cape Town (established in 1997), and Hangzhou International School (2002). All ISF schools are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). ISF is also in the process of establishing Bay Valley Academy in Bay City, Michigan, as a transitional program for foreign students who wish to refine their English language skills and adapt to life in the USA prior to matriculation.

Each ISF school was established and is registered according to its own Deed of Foundation, prepared according to the laws of the Ministry of Education in each respective country. Each school operates on a not-for-profit basis, and each has its own Board of Governors. The International School Foundation’s Directors, Larry Balli, Kristy Dewi, and Michael Dougherty, sit on each ISF school board. Mr. Balli has been a teacher and administrator in international schools since 1972, and is a former headmaster of Jakarta International School, one of the largest such schools in the world during his tenure. Mr. Dougherty has been a teacher and administrator in international schools since 1976, and was the founding headmaster of North Jakarta International School, which he headed for eleven years. Ms. Dewi has worked in international schools in various administrative capacities since 1984, and currently manages the budgets and financial plans of all of the ISF schools.

Most of the individual school boards also comprise additional members of the respective local communities, both expatriate and host country. This model of international school governance (as contrasted with annual elections from interested members of the parent community), in conjunction with an association like our Parents and Friends Association, has been endorsed for many years by the European Council of International Schools in Geneva, and more recently by International Schools Services in Princeton, New Jersey.

ISF, in concert with each school’s administration, oversees the hiring of teachers for all of the schools under its umbrella, as well as the transfers of teachers wishing to work at one of the other schools within the network. (Students have also occasionally transferred to other schools within the affiliated network.) Ordering of texts and supplies, air travel for teachers, health insurance, professional growth, auxiliary services, and other provisions are made under the aegis of the Foundation, allowing the small schools to enjoy big school-advantages and benefits.

Recruiters for the ISF schools attend major international recruiting fairs held each year. We also hire before the commencement of the recruiting fairs, usually via Skype or telephone interviews. We seek qualified teachers with a spirit of adventure, a sense of humor and wonder, a love of teaching children, and a willingness to work with students outside of the classroom in sports and other after-school activities that en¬hance the life and spirit of the school. Candidates should be certi¬fied and have at least two years’ relevant teaching experience.

All ISF schools are ac¬credited by WASC, and offer a U.S.-based, international school program for students in Preschool through Grade Twelve (depending on campus). The IB Diploma program is offered at SCIS-Hongqiao and at SCIS-Pudong. AP course work and examinations are offered at all ISF high schools.

Interested teaching candidates should send a resume, a letter of interest which lists the grade levels and/or subject areas which the candidate would feel comfortable teaching, the sports or other extra-curricular activities which he or she could help with, a photograph, and, if applicable, a Skype address. All of this should be sent via e-mail attachment to the school in which the candidate has in interest.

American International School of Cape Town: teach@aisct.org.za

Hangzhou International School: teach@scischina.org

Shanghai Community International Schools: teach@scischina.org