ASIJ Audio

What does it take to move from "harmful jokes" to a culture of genuine kindness? In this episode, we sit down with three middle school students who are proving that creating a safe, inclusive environment isn't just a goal for teachers—it's a mission led by the students themselves. They discuss their proactive work in addressing identity-based harm and the specific initiatives they’ve lau...

How do we create a learning environment where every student thrives? This episode explores The American School in Japan’s ongoing journey with Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework that moves beyond traditional instruction to proactively remove barriers. We sit down with Director of Student Support Adrienne Waller to discuss how UDL differs from other educational approaches and how it i...

For many people at ASIJ, identity is a collage of cultures, languages, and memories carried across continents. In this episode, alumni, staff, and students reflect on their experiences as Third Culture Kids and how those experiences shape their sense of belonging. They explore what “home” means when you grow up bridging cultures—and how ASIJ provides a community connection that endures, wherever l...

Join us as three ASIJ middle schoolers explore what belonging means to them. They open up about identity, belonging, and the powerful role community plays in helping them feel whole—whether it's through curriculars, language access, classroom conversations, or just a seat at the lunch table. In this conversation: Andy Faulk (MS Humanities), Jilene Murray (MS Curriculum Coordinator), Ana '31, Conno...

How is AI reshaping the art of teaching and the craft of learning? Warren Apel, Director of Technology, sits down with three teachers from the middle and high school who have been exploring AI tools through ASIJ’s Pathways program. They share insights on specific AI programs that are being used in their classrooms, the opportunities and challenges it presents, and how educators can empower not onl...

Join Elementary, Middle and High School ASIJ educators with Dr Ulcca Joshi Hansen (the author of the Future of Smart) for a conversation on cognition and best practices of learning that span from the ways information is provided, to the physical spaces we're in. What do we mean by metacognition, and how does it play out in our classrooms? How does the concept of embodied cognition impact how we le...

Music shapes more than sound; it shapes learners. Dr Rollo Dilworth joins ASIJ music educators Naarah Callender and Dr Jeff Torchon to reflect on the powerful role music plays in holistic development and lifelong learning. Through his recent visit, Dr Dilworth worked with students on one of his own compositions, "Take me to The Water", and in this episode he shares insights on how music...

Join digital wellness expert Patrick Green as he shares practical strategies for setting healthy technology boundaries. From tackling the challenges faced by parents with nuance and patience to offering tactics that benefit children, parents, and adults alike, this episode provides valuable insights for fostering balanced habits around everyday use of the technology we all rely on. This conversati...

Wondering why we now have “mobile motels” for phones in the high school and less iPad time on the buses? Listen in for a discussion on technology, wellness and the hazy lines between the two that we each face. Students Arnab '25, Caroline '26 from the high school’s Stolen Focus group along with Mirabel ‘26 and math teacher Diane Cokerdem-DePriest explore evolving opinions on technology, student’s...

The ways that artificial intelligence is impacting teaching and learning are only beginning to be discovered. Tune in for a discussion on the intersection of AI and curriculum and how ASIJ is navigating and utilizing this emerging technology.