New Teacher Spotlight: Sean Wray

1. Could you introduce yourself a bit (background & role at GSIS)?

I am the new IB Diploma Coordinator which, in short, involves working with the Core Team to implement the TOK, CAS and EE programmes while more broadly working together with students, colleagues and parents to achieve the best learning experience possible for our Diploma students.

Academically, I am an Economics teacher but I also enjoy teaching History in the lower years.

2. We are very excited to have you join our GSIS community. What are you looking forward to the most this year?

Primarily, I am looking forward to working with some of the best teachers and students in Hong Kong (and the world!). The community has been so kind in welcoming me and the School, with its beautiful location and happy atmosphere, is a very special place. Remarkable schools are always more than the sum of their parts, they are also cohesive academic and social communities and it is the unique marriage of German, European and Asian cultures within the GSIS community that has impressed me most in my first couple of weeks. I feel very fortunate to be here!

3. Can you tell us more about your previous working experience?

In my previous school(s), I taught Economics but also History, Geography and Religious Studies to students from Year 7 to Year 13. In addition to my teaching, I was responsible for leading professional development and curriculum collaboration for a group of teacher representatives from a network of 22 schools (Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary). I was also the Curriculum Group Leader for Business and Economics for a collection of seven International Baccalaureate schools.

In addition to this, I have examined several Diploma subjects for the IBO and written articles for the IB Review Magazine. Last year, I co-authored an IB-endorsed textbook for the new Diploma Economics course. I have also guest lectured at the University of Hong Kong on Assessment in the IB Diploma.

4. Where did you grow up and how was your schooling experience?

I grew up in both Western Australia and Hong Kong. I had a great schooling experience with a mixture of schools. Indeed, I was fortunate enough to be taught by several current GSIS teachers, but I will not add to their pain here! Later, I read Modern History with Economics for my undergraduate degree in the United Kingdom, before returning to Hong Kong and completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Hong Kong. I am currently halfway through a Masters in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics with the University of Leeds, so my weekends are often spent reading metaphysics while my cat sleeps beside me.

5. Our community at GSIS is very excited to meet you. Do you have any words to share with them?

We have a great school with an excellent community. While the world has its challenges at the moment, these are temporary and we must not forget that what we have here at GSIS is very special. I look forward to working with you all.