Show Notes
The International Baccalaureate has been a staple academic program of the international schools. ACS Athens introduced IB as an academic option in the mid-'70s, long before it became the international standard for admission in universities around the world. Throughout the years, in combination with the Advanced Placement courses, the IB courses enhanced the academic offerings of the school that students could choose from as they aspired to develop a more rounded approach to their academic portfolio.
This year, Mark McGowan joined ACS Athens as its new IB/AP Programs director. This is not his first time in Athens - he has served at another Athenian school before, but as most international educators, he has traveled around the world in the international school circuit, building expertise and global academic perspectives. He has held various leadership positions, including ToK Coordinator and Head of English at the International School of Brussels, and BTEC Coordinator at the JESS school in Dubai. In 2019, he obtained a Certificate of International School Leadership from the Principal’s Training Center in London. An avid reader, sports fan, and supporter of the arts, Mr. McGowan also enjoys traveling, swimming, cycling, and spending time with his family.
With Mark McGowan, we discuss:
- Creative writing while living in Greece
- The International Baccalaureate as an academic option and not as the only choice
- The IB as the door to high-level thinking and better college placement
- Is the current system of preparing students for college optimal and what is the alternative
- What is the value of certain keystone courses, like the Theory of Knowledge
- Connecting the dots of knowledge by engaging in provocative topics of discussion
- Preparing students to enjoy life, to think and feel
- The IB as a bridge between school systems
- The global discussion about the future of education and the trend towards project-based learning
