Jing Educators Award 2020: Arts, Drama, and Music Educators

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Following the 2020 Jingkids International School Expo (JISE) in October this year, which brought together more than 70 schools, daycares, and educational centers, we’d like to acknowledge the people who make those schools and institutions truly great. Many of Beijing’s esteemed international schools submitted their nominations for the Jing Educators Award 2020, celebrating those who dedicate themselves to education, create innovative learning experiences, and maintain outstanding environments for our kids to study in. In this #JingEdAwards series, we’ll share these committed individuals and why they were nominated.

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All the world’s a stage… and these educators help students of all ages take to it like a duck to water with their fun and creative classes in the fields of music, drama, and the arts.

Name: Christina Schirf
Position: Music Teacher
School: Beijing Haidian Kaiwen Academy

Christina Schirf has seven years of experience as a musician and teacher. She attended Shepherd University in West Virginia, where she received a bachelor’s degree in music education, and Western Governor’s University in Utah, where she received a master’s in instructional design. With Shepherd University, Christina performed abroad in Germany, Spain, and France as a soprano and double bassist. Before teaching abroad, Christina served on the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra’s board of directors, managing music outreach and education programs in the Northern Piedmont area of Virginia and has been a member of both national and international education associations, attending conferences to help advocate for music education and enrich her understanding of music curriculums and assessments. She taught in Fauquier County, Virginia and her performing ensembles frequently received excellent and superior ratings from state adjudicators. After leaving the US to share her passion for music to the world, Christina taught in the United Arab Emirates and in Vietnam. In Beijing, she is head of music at Haidian Kaiwen Academy. Christina is a strong advocate of providing all students with innovative music education to ensure that they become not only advanced in musical skill but also contribute to the progression and appreciation of music in society. Since being trained in Orff and Kodaly methodologies, Christina believes that the power of music education lies in students’ ability to explore and create.

Name: Liang Jingjing
Position: Orchestral Art Director; Piano Minor Teacher; Master of Instrumental Accompaniment in Orchestral Department of Central Conservatory of Music
School: Central Conservatory Preparatory School

Jingjing graduated from Xi’an Conservatory of Music and the Art School of Renmin University of China. In 2005, she was admitted to the Graduate School of the Central Conservatory of Music as the first major. During this period, she served as the artistic director of the Beijing Viola Ensemble and held music at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and Macau Polytechnic Institute meeting. She has twice accepted the invitation of China’s most authoritative music distribution organization, People’s Music Publishing House, to record CDs for the “Violin Grade Test Course” and served as a high-level art director.

Among the teachers at Central Conservatory Preparatory School, Jingjing’s care for her students and selfless dedication to teaching have impressed all of her students and colleagues. Even outside of the classroom, she is always responsive to students’ requests for professional help.

Name: Che Booysen
Position: Head of Primary Arts
School: Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy

Head of primary arts Che Booysen has been teaching for 13 years. Her passion for drama started in primary school, through Drama classes and performances, and has ultimately shaped her career. She received a bachelor of arts degree, majoring in both English and drama, from the University of Cape Town, before completing her post-graduate certificate in education at the same university. She spent the majority of her teaching career at Sans Souci Girls’ High School, where she single-handedly ran a very successful drama department. Her students consistently achieved in the top band in national examinations; one year an entire class received distinctions in dramatic arts. Over the years, she has moved through many different leadership positions, from grade head for various year groups to head of an ever-growing department, ultimately becoming an integral member of the senior management team where she worked alongside the Headmistress. Throughout her teaching experience in South Africa, she was involved in the Shakespeare Schools Festival, directing students to perform abridged Shakespeare plays on professional stages. This gave students the opportunity to experience professional theatre as actors, directors, and lighting and sound engineers. She feels very fortunate to have been able to turn her passion into her career, making each day a new and exciting experience.

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Name: Du Yanran 杜嫣然
Position: Moral Education Teacher; Music Teacher
School: Junyi Xingxing International School

Yanran has been specializing in teaching and education for eight years. She obtained a bachelor’s degree from Taiyuan Normal University in Shanxi Province while majoring in piano in the field of musicology. After that, she completed a graduate program at Renming University specializing in musical study in 2014. She has been awarded a number of prizes in music contests including gold, silver, and bronze medals, and is currently a member of the Chinese Musicians Association. Yanran is a dual qualification teacher recognized by the Ministry of Education and is a certified teacher in three areas, including teaching music in high schools, assistant teaching in universities, as well as international tea knowledge. As a teacher, Yanran believes that love and sacrifice walk hand in hand. Putting the kids’ needs first is the key to being a good educator. She is a sincere friend, a compassionate mother, and a beloved teacher in the students’ eyes.

Name: Chen Xu
Position: Art and Calligraphy Teacher
School: Limai Chinese American International School

Chen Xu is a member of the International Calligraphy and Painting Art Research Association and a member of the Chaoyang District Calligraphers’ Association. He has obtained a number of awards in recent years, including first prize for calligraphy instruction in the 23rd and 24th National Painting and Calligraphy Competition for Primary and Middle School students in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, his calligraphy works were exhibited in “Great Beauty of Fangshan,” the Ninth Calligraphy and Art Exhibition of Beijing Beautiful Countryside, hosted by the Beijing Calligraphers’ Association.

Name: Timothy William Reed
Position: Head of Art Department
School: New Oriental Academy

Mr. Timothy William Reed has been teaching for over 20 years both internationally and in New Zealand across a broad range of curriculum with 10 years as Head of Department. He is an art teacher with a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Auckland University of Technology and a post-graduate diploma in teaching from Massey University. He is also a practicing artist who has exhibited and collaborated with well-received Artists in New Zealand.

Timothy is part of an outstanding art department and with his friend and colleague Mrs. Cheng Ting Ting, they have given art a special prominence within the school. Timothy is ‘student-centered’ and he makes the effort to cultivate meaningful relationships with his students. He is curious and reflective because he wants the very best learning experience for students.

Name: Iestyn Shaw
Position: Art and Design Teacher
School: Yew Wah International Education School

Originally from Wales, Iestyn is entering his 5th year of teaching Art and Design. He holds a B.A (Hons) in fine art from Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK, and a PGCE + QTS in secondary art and design from UWTSD, Swansea, UK. After completing his teacher certification, he began teaching in Kuwait for two years, before arriving in Beijing in July of 2018 with his wife. Iestyn has taught Art from Key stage 1 to A-Level. His interests include painting, rugby, skiing, and traveling.

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Photos: Courtesy of Schools 

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