Early education provides a nurturing environment for children to build a strong foundation and promote optimal early childhood development for further education. Established in 1998, Concordia International School Shanghai is a co-educational day school that focuses on the overall growth of the child from preschool through high school. The institution guides students through a journey of personal and academic growth with innovative academic programs, extracurricular activities, social-emotional learning, and strong values under the leadership of Dr. Eric Semler, Interim Head of School, and Dr. Bob Cantwell, Early Childhood Principal and P-12 Learning Support Coordinator.
Visionary Educators and Leaders
Dr. Bob Cantwell
Dr. Robert “Bob” Cantwell is an experienced educator, visionary leader, and changemaker. He started his teaching career in 1992 in remote, rural Alaska, living in a Yup’ik Eskimo village. After 19 years of classroom teaching, he moved into educational leadership in 2011. Dr. Cantwell has led school teams in Alaska, Germany, Oregon, and China. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from the University of Scranton, a master’s in special education from Lewis and Clark College, and a doctorate in learning and leading with a concentration in neuroeducation from the University of Portland. Dr. Cantwell completed a data analysis course through Harvard University and a Head Start Fellows Management certificate at UCLA.
Dr. Eric Semler
Dr. Eric Semler is a dynamic educational professional with almost three decades of expertise. His first exposure to international education dates back to 1994 when his university sent him to Hong Kong International School (HKIS). After Hong Kong, he taught in Japan for several years before returning to the United States to gain more teaching experience and begin his journey as an administrator. In 2005, he moved to Indonesia, where he served as head of school. In 2009, Dr. Eric became a part of Concordia International School Shanghai, one of the top international schools in Asia!
Core Principles and Values
The educational philosophy at Concordia goes beyond nurturing academic abilities; it also focuses on cultivating the values that shape students into better individuals. Concordia recognizes and honors each student’s unique talents while encouraging them to explore and grow in all aspects of life-intellectually, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and socially. A key aspect of their early childhood philosophy is the play-based learning model, which encourages students to learn through exploration, creativity, and active engagement. They embrace the Reggio Emilia framework, which views children as capable and inquisitive learners. This approach allows students to take the lead in their learning journey, fostering a sense of agency and deepening their understanding of the world around them.
“Our play-based learning model is ‘play that invites learning.’ Our early childhood educators intentionally design the day. Concordia is using the Reggio Emilia framework, which fosters independence and critical thinking. In addition, this framework promotes collaborative learning. This is a strong match for our belief in holistic education” Dr. Semler emphasizes.
Nurturing Children through Personalized Education
Each student in Concordia’s early childhood program enjoys a personalized learning experience, thanks to its low student-to-adult ratio (each classroom benefits from the presence of one dedicated homeroom teacher and two certified teaching assistants). This allows the team to focus their time and attention on each child, ensuring their individual needs are met. Concordia International School Shanghai considers every child a unique gift and incorporates comprehensive and challenging learning opportunities into their daily routines. With a holistic and student-centered curriculum, Concordia nurtures every child and fosters their development in a supportive and engaging environment.
Assuring the Holistic Development of Learning
Concordia’s early childhood program seamlessly integrates all developmental areas into each child’s learning experience. In Addition to exploring concepts in Social Studies, Science, Math, and Mandarin, the program offers a rich music and movement curriculum, along with plentiful opportunities for outdoor learning, ensuring that every facet of a child’s development is nurtured in a holistic and engaging environment. The school also has a system of virtues and values that are introduced to children in age-appropriate ways.
“Concordia is an excellent choice for parents who are looking for a school that will impart good values to their children. Our educators also help the students to be kind, honest, and respectful,” Dr. Semler asserts.
Successful Strategies to Support Students
Concordia employs counselors across all four school divisions (early childhood, elementary school, middle school, and high school) to deliver a comprehensive program. In the early childhood (EC) division, the counselor plays a crucial role in fostering social-emotional development among the youngest learners.
“Our counselors conduct regular lessons for students focused on building essential social and emotional skills. They also offer ‘Love and Logic’ parenting classes that equip parents with effective strategies for nurturing their children’s emotional growth at home,” Dr. Cantwell states.
Additionally, Concordia actively explores opportunities to guide students in learning about concepts like love, peace, patience, and kindness.
A Comprehensive Approach to Educating International Students
At Concordia, students come from a variety of cultural backgrounds, representing over 30 nationalities, and have different learning preferences. Hence, the institution strives to create an adaptable and personalized curriculum. Early childhood emphasizes an inquiry-based approach to learning, which is essential for fostering critical thinking skills. This approach encourages students to be curious, ask questions, and engage actively in their learning process. Acknowledging the growing importance of STEM education in preparing students for future challenges, Concordia is expanding STEM learning opportunities from an early age. Their initiatives include introducing programs like VEX123 robotics to familiarize students with the basics of coding and engineering, alongside activities such as gardening that integrate science with hands-on, practical experiences.
Primary Skills to Thrive in the Future
A combination of critical thinking, adaptability, creativity, and collaboration are essential skills for students to thrive in the future. These skills will empower students to navigate complex challenges, think innovatively, and work effectively with others. They emphasize an inquiry-based learning approach that encourages students to ask questions, explore different perspectives, and develop problem-solving skills. Moreover, they prioritize STEM education, integrating it across all grade levels. In addition to academic rigor, Concordia focuses on social-emotional development, teaching students the importance of empathy, resilience, and effective communication. The school’s programs and activities are designed to help students build strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, which are crucial for success in any future endeavor.
“Concordia focuses on helping the children learn how to regulate their emotions. In addition, we strongly believe that the early years are crucial for social development,” Dr. Semler emphasizes.
Distinctive Learning Model and Teaching Techniques
Concordia has a play-based learning model that emphasizes the importance of learning through exploration, creativity, and hands-on experiences. This not only makes learning enjoyable but also helps students naturally develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The team has adopted the Reggio framework, a progressive approach that values the child as strong, capable, and resilient. The framework supports the belief in student-led inquiry, allowing children to explore their interests deeply and meaningfully.
Fostering Community Support and School Initiatives
Dr. Semler believes strong partnerships with parents and the wider community are essential for supporting student learning and advancing school initiatives. To build these connections, Concordia administrators host regular Parent Connect sessions providing an opportunity for open dialogue between parents and school leaders. Additionally, the EC division offers practical advice and insights that parents can use to support their children’s learning at home.
“We view our relationships with parents as a partnership. We believe that the best schools in the world value positive and healthy parent involvement,” Dr. Semler asserts.
The Future Roadmap
Moving forward, Concordia remains committed to ensuring the holistic development of its students, covering academics, physical education, and social skills. It will continue to inspire the students to work hard in a joyful, nurturing environment.
