Annual Fund Speaker Series

The AISG Annual Fund Speaker Series brings fascinating people with captivating stories into our school to inspire, enlighten and transform learning.

AISG relaunched its Speaker Series in April 2021 after a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The speakers were invited to AISG from all over the world to share their experiences. made possible through generous donations to the annual Fund, these extraordinary speakers came to touch the minds and hearts of the members of the AISG Community.

h ua NG f e NG R ONG April 20-22, 2021

Huang Feng Rong was born in Fujian, putian, china and is considered a postmodern collage artist. Huang has developed his own unique twist of bringing together music, art, and dance in an innovative way to create unique masterpieces. He has journeyed around the world with his unique artistic style, with some of his works exhibited in several European art museums.

Huang Feng Rong visited both AISG campuses and performed live, and also collaborated with students on projects in and out of the classroom. Onstage, Huang painted and danced to music as students cheered. Students were also invited onstage to try painting with their feet, one of Huang’s performance techniques. At Science park, Huang worked with students on several 3D projects as well as a life-size collage, providing students an outlet to create art they might not usually have the chance to try. At Ersha, Huang worked on painting aspects of Guangzhou life on the ten pillars on the first floor, working with students to beautify our campus. Huang also performed at the Spring ASAG meeting, giving parents an opportunity to enjoy his unique art style.

s usie Zha NG May 11-12, 2021

Susie Zhang is a certified Lead Trainer in positive Discipline for Early childhood Educators, positive Discipline in the classroom, Teaching parenting the positive Discipline Way, and Keep the Joy in Relationships by the positive Discipline Association. Over the past 12 years, she has trained thousands of parents and classroom facilitators and has spoken at numerous events.

Susie Zhang hosted an in-person parent presentation, two in chinese and one in English, where she focused on Alternatives to punishment: A positive Approach to Discipline. In her presentation, Susie discussed the long-term goal of family education, and revealed what Social Emotional Learning is, as well as its importance. parents participated in role playing exercises, engaged in great discussion, and asked questions. Susie’s extensive knowledge and experience along with her welcoming nature had everyone fully engaged in this unique learning experience.

B R y N Ba RN a RD May 13, 2021

Bryn Barnard is the author and illustrator of four award-winning science-history books for kids. He is an illustrator of more than 20 children’s books for other authors and is a former illustrator for NASA and National Geographic. Bryn has taught around the world, including teaching illustration at several universities and Dp and MYp art and Theory of Knowledge at international schools. He has been a guest author and artist at more than 30 international schools worldwide.

Bryn Barnard’s virtual visit to AISG was full of creative ideas and interactions with students from both campuses. With Elementary School students he presented “creativity confidential,” which explores the process of writing and illustrating a book from start to finish and how authors develop a creative “brand.” Bryn showed examples of his exploratory mind maps, manuscripts, sketches, book layouts, preliminary paintings, and final printed books. Students saw how an initial idea is often radically transformed by the collaborative process between author, art director and editor.

j e NN ife R aBR ams May 20, 25, 2021

Jennifer Abrams is a communications consultant and author who works with educators and others in schools on being generationally savvy, using effective collaboration skills, having hard conversations and creating identity safe workplaces. Jennifer has been named one of the “18 Women All K-12 Educators Should Know,” by Education Week’s ‘Finding common Ground’ blog.

Jennifer Abram’s virtual visit to AISG included a workshop for Upper Secondary students and a separate session for AISG parents. The workshop for Upper Secondary students was on the topic, “Students Advocating for Themselves” and for the parents, “How to Best communicate So the School can Hear You.” Based on Jennifer’s expertise on conflict and interpersonal communication, these sessions provided participants with planning and scripting tools for having those necessary humane and growth producing conversations.