Ms Bett Alter is SAS Pudong’s interim vice principal for the 2022-23 school year, and an individual with vast amounts of experience. Students see her in the commons or outside greeting kids as they come in or saying goodbye as they walk out. As a new face in the administration, we decided to ask her some questions about her past, and her plans as the interim vice principal.

Q: Where have you worked previously?

A: Previously, I helped start a school in Kunshan, for Dipont Education, and so I worked there prior to going to the Puxi high school of SAS. 

Prior to that, I worked in independent boarding and day schools on the east coast of the United States. I’ve worked at Woodstock school, which is an international school in India; I have worked at the International School of Dakar in Senegal; I’ve worked at the American International School of Nouakchott in Mauritania; I’ve worked at the Frederick Gunn School in the United States; I’ve worked at Christ Church School in the United States; I’ve worked at North Country School in the United States; and I’ve worked at the Calverton School in the United States.

Q: How did you get to the position you are in today?

A: The position I’m in today of interim vice principal at Pudong high school is a result of having served as the interim principal at Puxi high school last year. Late in the spring when Ms. Dickhaut decided that she was gonna move on, Dr Lee contacted me and said “Would you be willing to consider coming over here?” And I jumped at the chance to come to Pudong high school.

Q: What are some key things from working at other schools that you want to apply here as you work as interim vice principal here at SAS?

A: One of those things that I think I’ve seen work really well over the years of working in schools, particularly high schools, is the importance of student voice in the work that we do. When we’re making decisions, whether it be about the design of the buildings or the design of the program, or our initiatives in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. When we find a way to engage students in those discussions and in our thinking about how to address problems or move us forward, we stand, I think, the greatest chance of being successful. So I would like to think that one of the things I can do, particularly this year with the short amount of time that I have, is to get students engaged in the DEIB work that we’re trying to do. 

I would also like to think that we could do a little bit more formal training in student leadership skill development. We do some good work with the Link Crew, I think we do some really good work with the student council and executive council, but it may be time for us to work with students to think about how can we best equip you for formal leadership positions moving forward. 

Q: Say you had this position formally instead of the interim position, what are some long-term goals you would have?

A: I’d love to think that we could continue to make progress around issues of well-being. I think our program is very challenging—and that’s good, and I feel our students are very capable of meeting those challenges. But I think, given the time we live in, we need to be thinking about what we can do to also help our students attend to their own well-being now and be equipped to do that as they move on into the more independent years of their lives, at higher education and then in their adult life. So, I value just as much the work that we do outside of the classroom, the work that we do in athletics and the arts and in after-school activities because I think those are places where we can attend to some of the elements of well-being. I think the advisory program, as we develop it, can be a place where we can do more of that work. Generally, I think our teachers are really tuned in to thinking about well-being as it impacts the work they do in the classroom.

Q: What do you think are some of the steps that are critical to making it to where you are now from where the students right now are?

A: To get from high school to where I am now is to be brave. Have courage. I grew up in a small town in a very rural state in the United States. I was the first member of my family to go to college, and I never dreamt that I would live in five countries on three continents and it has been the most fantastic experience and I’m so grateful for it. 

My hope is that you will all have the courage to pursue that which gives you a sense of purpose, makes you feel your life as meaning beyond your own, the contributions you make to something greater than yourself. So I would say courage, that’s what I hope each of you will take away from SAS and have in your life.

Q: Do you have any advice for students as they live their lives?

A: Take advantage of opportunities, but seek to balance your life. Think carefully when you join a particular club, think carefully when you craft your course of study, about balance in your life. You don’t get these years back, and these are very special years, before you leave home and before you have the responsibility of supporting yourself. So you have to be mindful of seeking some kind of balance between the academic pursuits, those things that are just what you love to do, and making sure you have some time with family and friends. Think about balance in your life, as we offer so many rigorous and challenging opportunities but think carefully about where you want to put your energy over the course of high school.

After travelling all around the world, Ms. Alter’s experience in education is reflected through the work she does and her interactions with students. Her passion shines through in her actions, and she inspires students to live their best life. 

Article by Felix Ng