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International School of Arizona Selects Jason W. Smith as New Head of School
Scottsdale-Based Foreign Language Immersion school taps veteran of international education for leadership role
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (February 10, 2021) — The International School of Arizona — which teaches a French & Spanish language immersion curriculum from preschool (18 months old) to 8th grade has selected Jason W. Smith as its new Head of School.
Smith, who will assume his new role at ISA on July 1, has an extensive track record as an international educator, including at schools with a focus on global citizenship, international mindedness and culturally-responsive curriculum.
He currently serves as Assistant Head of School at Brownell Talbot School in Omaha, Nebraska. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Head of School and Elementary School Principal at GEMS World School, an IB World School in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He has taught or led at several other international schools in the United States and Middle East as well.
Smith was an Aspiring Heads Fellow with the National Association of Independent Schools in 2019-20. He received his Bachelors degree from Luther College in Iowa and his Master of Arts in Educational Leadership & Administrative Credentials from Seattle Pacific University. He also earned his Superintendent Certificate from Western Washington University.
“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to join the ISA community as your Head of School beginning July 1,” Smith said. “My early instinct that ISA is a very special place has been confirmed through every step of my journey to this point. Having now met and interacted with so many members of the community as part of the selection process, I am bursting with excitement and anticipation to join the ISA family and continue to be inspired by their commitment to the future of ISA. I look forward to learning more and working collaboratively to further ISA’s mission of ‘providing an excellent multilingual education in a safe, diverse, and nurturing environment.’”
The International School of Arizona offers language immersion programs that begin at 18 months and continue through eighth grade. Its fully accredited Spanish and French language immersion programs allow children to achieve bilingualism through play, routine and the study of math, science, social studies, music and art.
Students who learn through language immersion programs graduate an average of two or three years ahead of their peers, and they are also statistically proven to have higher test scores, stronger literacy skills, enhanced cognitive abilities and better employability later in life.
ISA’s Board of Directors selected Smith after an extensive search process that has unfolded over the course of the past 6+ months.
“We are very pleased to welcome Jason to the ISA family and are confident he will provide the kind of leadership and vision our school needs to grown and thrive into the future,” said Gurpreet Takher with ISA’s Board of Directors. “We believe his experience in international education and specifically with IB programs will help position the school as an even more inviting resource for children and families.”
The International School of Arizona offers:
· A unique immersion curriculum
· Lower tuition than many other private schools in the area
· Guaranteed placement during its early bird enrollment period between now and Feb. 24
About International School of Arizona
For over 22 years, the International School of Arizona has dedicated itself to providing children with the gift of a second language through structured learning and immersion play. ISA provides a progressive, international education and advanced multilingual academic program in a safe, diverse, and nurturing environment for students aged 18 months to grade 8. Their innovative and individualized approach to learning prepares happy and highly motivated students for prestigious college preparatory high schools.
For more information, go to isaz.org. For media inquiries, please contact Tom Evans at (602) 448-5483.
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