By Colin Jun

A new start is one of the most challenging parts of our lives but also one of the most critical. As an international community, SASPD always had to face a farewell to beloved friends, teachers and staff. As another school year begins, SASPD faces another goodbye. Eight teachers departed from our school this year and are starting new journeys.

Pudong Press conducted interviews with the departing teachers to listen to their stories and experiences at SASPD.

Coach George has been with the SASPD community for nine years as the director of the swimming team. He is leaving our school due to labor age regulations in China. 

How do you feel about leaving the school?
I am very sad. There are many friends that I made here. I will miss this city of Shanghai and China. I will miss a lot of facilities at Shanghai American School Pudong.
 
Can you share one exciting memory that you had in SASPD?
Being a member of SAS Pudong community was a lot of fun. I had great fun with all the teachers in this school. Being a director of the swimming team and winning victories with SASPD team was great. 

Which school are you going next year?
I am moving to the international school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as the aquatic director. 

Do you have any message you would like to leave to the students?
Education is so important. Use our school’s education as an advantage. Wish all of us the best of luck and perseverance. 

Mr. Serbent has been with the SASPD community for six years as a math teacher. He is leaving the SASPD community as his family is moving to Singapore and his son is graduating from the school.

How do you feel about leaving the school?
I will miss the students and activities in Shanghai American School Pudong. But I am also looking forward to the new challenge and new adventure I will have in the future.

Can you share one interesting memory that you had in SASPD? 
I remember some of the silly times that I had in my math classes.

Which school are you going next year?
I will be in Singapore and travel around for a while.

Do you have any message you would like to leave to the students?
Always seek to understand. Do not just memorize and react to people or mathematics.

Mrs. Pettigrew has been with the SASPD community for four years as a math teacher and IB coordinator. She is leaving SASPD community due to labor age restrictions.

How do you feel about leaving the school?
It is a difficult decision since I enjoyed working with the students in SASPD in this positive education environment of SAS. I believe Shanghai American School is the school where the school leadership always tries to provide the best quality education to the students.

Can you share one interesting memory that you had in SASPD? 
As the coach of girl’s rugby, it was refreshing to see many different students in SASPD enjoy playing rugby. Unlike the common stereotype of rugby – being a man oriented sport – students in SASPD enjoyed playing rugby regardless of their gender or their nationality.

Do you have any message you would like to leave to the students?
For IB students, I would like to say “be patiently committed to IB Diploma program. Take the richness that comes from IBD courses.” As well, I hope the IBD program remains in the SASPD community.

Ms. Phipps has been with the SASPD community for two years as the counselor. She is leaving SASPD community to go back home and watch how her son performs his job.

How do you feel about leaving the school?
On the one hand, it is exciting to meet the students in the other parts of the world. On the other hand, it is sad to leave the SASPD community this year. I love Shanghai, China, students and coworkers in SASPD.

Can you share one interesting memory that you had in SASPD? 
There are many exciting memories that I have in SASPD community. Especially the first time I participated in Friday Night Light on Spring. It was an enjoyable experience to see the strong community. Everyone was cheering and engaged. It was also interesting to take pictures during track and field.

Which school are you going next year?
Ashland High School. Very special place. Home of Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Do you have any message you would like to leave to the students?
It is a very opening and welcoming place. However, we also need to get outside the bubble. Our opportunity to connect [with many other people] is a gift and [we need to] take advantage of that gift. [We should not only stay in our] own personal bubble, SAS bubble.
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Concentration for education here is intense. [Education is essential, but] how well you are getting to know each other [is also the essential perspective of the school life].

Ms. Lyons has been with the SASPD community for four years as the social studies teacher. She is moving to Panama to be closer to her family.

How do you feel about leaving the school?
I am excited about the warmer weather in Panama. I am excited to be in Central America and go on a trip.

Can I ask what you will miss most from Shanghai?
Eastern Philosophy of medicine. Especially the acupuncture. I even found a place in Panama where I can get acupuncture.

Mr. Ogle has been with the SASPD community for three years as a science teacher. He is moving to Malaysia to go home.

How do you feel about leaving the school?
It is a great school. Students and school are fantastic. I wish I don’t have to go back.

Can you share one interesting memory that you had in SASPD? 
Taking students to Borneo [as part of Habitat for Community] and showing students coral reef. It was also interesting to teach them how to dive.

Which school are you going next year?
I will retire. I am planning to go back to Malaysia and write a book.

Do you have any message you would like to leave to the students?      
Relax, you are doing fine. Stop worrying about the grades. ​

Mr. McCracking has been with the SASPD community for two years as the college counselor. He is moving to Madrid, Spain due to labor age restrictions.

How do you feel about leaving the school?
I am sad since I enjoyed working in the SAS community and the students. I enjoyed working with the families here. It has been a great experience for me to work here. On the other hand, I am also excited to visit a new place and meet a new culture.

Can you share one interesting memory that you had in SASPD? 
Learning about and being familiar with the people and the culture in China that is totally different from western society. It was remarkable to travel around in China and Asia – greater Shanghai area, bamboo forest, Vietnam and Cambodia – all of them are memorable experiences. It is interesting how the time went so fast and many things happened during that period of time. Students, parents and people I met here were also wonderful.

Which school are you going next year?
American School of Madrid

Do you have any message you would like to leave to the students?      
The students here should appreciate the opportunity that they are able to study in this school. They should be mindful of giving back to their community in a truly meaningful way. Seeking for the balance in our lives between the education and the personal health (such as sleeping well) is also important as a human being. Find your balance and try to attain it!

What do you think you will miss most from Shanghai? 
My Ayi, who helped me throughout my experience in Shanghai. Great Chinese food such as Yang’s Dumpling and the massage places in Shanghai were also great. Of course, I will miss the interactions that I had with all different kinds of people in Shanghai and China.