How do you build capacity in your school? How do you grow professional learning?

At Nishimachi International School we believe that a school’s greatest catalyst for innovation and growth is its people. That’s why we have made professional learning purposeful, collaborative, and deeply personalized. From our teacher “Hockey Cards” to our Professional Growth Collaboratives, we empower teachers to pursue the learning that breathes life into our Pillars of Learning – Inquiry-Driven, Personalized, and Community-Oriented Education.

This past week, we launched the first of three showcase sessions where teachers shared their inquiries, reflected on their impact, and charted their next steps.

I loved the positive energy and pride each teacher brought to their presentation. What inspired me most was seeing how deeply the work of Kath Murdoch and Trevor MacKenzie resonated with teachers across divisions. Their influence, coupled with the power of peer learning, has helped nurture a vibrant community of educators — each at a different stage of their journey, yet united by a bold commitment to continually grow for the sake of student learning.

At Nishimachi, we invest intentionally in professional growth by:

✅ Offering a generous individual professional learning benefit, enabling teachers to access world-class workshops in Japan and internationally (through opportunities like Chapters International).

✅ Bringing in expert voices to spark ideas and stretch our thinking. Along with Kath and Trevor, we have welcomed Jennifer Abrams Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee Dr. Shelley Moore to work with our team.

✅ Extending learning beyond the classroom walls, connecting teachers with industry leaders at organizations like BitFlyer and Goldman Sachs.

✅ Structuring time into our weekly schedule to prioritize collaboration and professional conversations, making learning part of the fabric of school life.

Across my career as a teacher and leader, I’ve seen firsthand that when we invest in the growth of educators, we ignite the growth of students, schools, and communities. In a world that needs more communication, creativity and critical thinking, I believe that the most future-ready schools will be the ones that dare to invest boldly in the growth of their people.