The JIS Podcast

The JIS Podcast is back after a brief break! We resume our series of discussions on teaching and learning with Jodi Berry, JIS Service-Learning Coordinator, High School English Teacher, and CAS Coordinator. Her work at JIS and as an international educator inspired her to publish a research paper on translanguaging (the process of using more than one language in a classroom) and service learning. T...

“Music is a universal language; it brings people together.” Ella Fitzgerald may have said this many years ago, but we only have to look at JIS Strings in Action (SiA), its talented members, and their many endeavors to find that her words ring truer than ever. Join our hosts, Middle School Vocal Music Teacher Morgan Banino and PIE Digital Literacy Coach Mindy Slaughter, as they take a closer look a...

At JIS, students are encouraged to explore their personal interests, discover their passions, and then pursue them through hands-on learning experiences. But how does that look like with younger students at JIS Elementary School? This episode of the JIS Podcast is all about the passion for learning, with our hosts, Middle School Vocal Music Teacher Morgan Banino and PIE Digital Literacy Coach Mind...

What does it mean to be an inclusive school? At JIS, inclusion is inseparable from the values of diversity and equity, and together, they represent our commitment to providing an enriching educational experience to a variety of learners. This includes children with neuro-diversities or cognitive disabilities who require specialized support in both academics and life skills. Join our JIS Podcast ho...

The elementary years are a formative time for children to discover the fun in learning, explore their growing interests, and build connections with both their classmates and teachers. At JIS, students are guided by a passionate team of educators such as this week’s JIS Podcast guests, Grade 5 Teacher Janice VanHaltren and Grade 1 Teacher Jen Profrock. They join our hosts, Middle School Vocal Music...

"Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life." - Sydney Sheldon A library is one of the greatest assets of any school, and the JIS community is lucky that we have not one but four extensive, up-to-date facilities and an amazing team of knowledgeable librarians. For th...

The JIS Podcast welcomes back Middle School Principal Noah Bohnen, a longtime International school educator with a passion for the crucial, developmental learning that happens in grades 6 to 8. What makes a great middle school program? What sets JIS Middle School apart? Listen along as he answers these questions and talks to our hosts, Middle School Vocal Music Teacher Morgan Banino and PIE Digita...

Did you know that Indonesia is home to nearly 200 international schools? And more than 60 percent of them are in Jakarta! The growing trend of international schools can be seen across the world, with more parents seeing them as the ideal environment for their children to develop and become more competitive as students and individuals. So, with so many options and possibilities, how can parents cho...

Earlier this year, Indonesia witnessed the merger of two of its first tech unicorns, Gojek and Tokopedia, into GoTo. Instrumental behind this meeting of giants were Tokopedia and GoTo President Patrick Cao, Tokopedia Vice President and GoTo Head of Investments Randall Aluwi, and Gojek Co-founder and CEO Kevin Aluwi. Not only are they leaders of their field, all three are also JIS Alumni. In this v...

As part of our core mission of being Best for the World, JIS is dedicated to exploring new pathways to learning that can continue to meet the changing needs of 21st-Century students. Last year, JIS Middle School was thrilled to launch an exciting interdisciplinary program for Grades 7 and 8 called JIS Studio, led by Lead Designer and Facilitator Jordan Bowman and Administrator and Facilitator (and...

This episode of the JIS Podcast is all about physical fitness, and when it comes to athletics in education, there’s no one better to speak to than JIS Athletics Coordinator Jake Stockman. He joins our host, Middle and High School Curriculum Coordinator Joanna Sommers, in a discussion about exercising during the pandemic, his own personal journey as an international educator, and the future of athl...

Welcome back to the JIS Podcast, where we talk about the latest innovations in 21st-Century Education, and living and learning in Indonesia to be Best for the World. In this episode, we have a very special guest speaking to host Joanne Sommers about his over 30-year career in international education and the important role he now plays at Jakarta Intercultural School. Please welcome, JIS Head of Sc...

Get ready to take a deep dive into the art and science of teaching and learning at JIS, with Middle School Assistant Principal Dan Machacek as our knowledgeable guide. Join us for an episode of the JIS Podcast that explores the fundamentals of education which take place behind the scenes and often go unnoticed, such as assessment principles and practices, re-accreditation, strategic planning, and...

Teaching Assistants are the backbone of any classroom as they provide a tremendous amount of daily learning support, creativity, and encouragement. They are considered Jack-of-all-trades — teacher, tech support, manager, “mind reader”, and cheerleader all rolled into one — who ensure that classrooms run seamlessly while juggling a range of tasks and responsibilities. The JIS Podcast invites you to...

Did you know that from birth up to the age of 6, children absorb information from their surroundings at a much faster rate and with far less effort than adults? Many important developments happen in this crucial phase of a child’s life, but misconceptions persist about Early Childhood Education. In this episode of the JIS Podcast, JIS Early Years Teachers Lisa Mandeville (PIE) and Allyson Puls-Dha...

Let’s talk math! Why do many of us feel so intimidated by math? Do adults’ perceptions of math affect the way students respond to the subject? Join our host, Middle and High School Curriculum Coordinator Joanna Sommers, as she dives into the complex and often misunderstood world of mathematics with PIE Grade 2 Teacher Ranjit Narula and Grade 8 Math Teacher Dave Suarez. They talk about the importan...

Every child develops at a different pace and each student’s developmental journey is unique. But what happens when a child needs additional help in areas such as reading, speech, language, or motor skills? At JIS, this is where the Support Services Team (SST) steps in and provides their specialized, targeted support. In this absorbing episode of the JIS Podcast, host Joanna Sommers (JIS Middle and...

Diversity and inclusion are values that international schools strive to uphold as multicultural communities, including JIS. But how do they hold up in the lens of today’s growing movements and conversations about anti-racism, representation, and equality? Does JIS truly exemplify the principles of diversity and inclusion? In this episode of the JIS Podcast, host Joanna Sommers (Middle and High Sch...

Changes and innovations are a common part of international education, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced schools to adjust their approach to learning almost overnight. To learn about the ways the landscape of international schools has evolved in recent years, what it looks like today, and how JIS has responded, JIS Podcast host Joanna Sommers (Middle and High School Curriculum Coordinator) speak...

Global citizenship is the theme of this episode of the JIS Podcast, which features JIS High School Social Studies Teacher Chris Calvert and Grade 12 Student Faye as guest speakers. They chat with our host, Middle and High School Curriculum Coordinator Joanna Sommers, about the interesting yet complex subject of social studies. How can schools effectively teach social studies in the context of toda...

An important part of providing high-quality education is ensuring that students receive clear, constructive feedback to improve their learning. This involves assessments and grading — but do they really matter? In this episode of the JIS Podcast, host Joanna Sommers is joined by education author/ speaker and assessment expert Tom Schimmer, who is currently working with JIS leadership in the areas...

Explore the culturally rich world of wayang (shadow puppet) and gamelan (traditional orchestra) with host Joanna Sommers, JIS Middle and High School Curriculum Coordinator, and Pattimura Elementary School (PEL) Grade 5 Teacher Kitsie Emerson. Educator, musician, and performer extraordinaire, Kitsie has been a respected staple of the Dragon community at PEL for 24 years as both a classroom teacher...

This episode of the JIS Podcast is all about the rich and intricate world of languages. What can we do with language? How can we use it effectively? To discover what it’s like growing up immersed in different languages and the advantages of this increasingly sought-after skill, host Joanna Sommers is joined by three guest speakers: Middle School Spanish Teacher Gaetan Boinet, Middle School Student...

In this can’t-miss episode of the JIS Podcast, our host, Middle and High School Curriculum Coordinator Joanna Sommers, speaks to a very special guest who was a valued part of the Dragon community for nearly 40 years. Her name is Beata Mirecka Jakubowska, but JIS Alumni will fondly remember her as Mrs. M, who taught ELA and English at JIS from 1983 to 2019. She returns to offer us a fascinating gli...

In a JIS Podcast first, host and Middle and High School Curriculum Coordinator Joanna Sommers is joined by a JIS student as guest speaker. In this episode, High School Senior Nelson tells us what it’s like experiencing his final year at JIS amid a pandemic and away from campus, staying motivated during Home & Online Learning, and how he pushes through the various related challenges to keep his...