PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Dear Tokyo YMCA International School community,

Transitioning into the role of Principal at Tokyo YMCA International School is a deeply personal and significant honor for me. With heartfelt gratitude, I extend my warmest congratulations to each of you as we celebrate our twenty-fifth anniversary. Over the past quarter-century, TYIS has stood as a pillar of excellence, showcasing what can be achieved through nurturing responsibility, confidence, resilience, well-being, volunteerism, and fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment for all.

Throughout history, pillars have symbolized greatness, marking where extraordinary events unfolded. TYIS is not just a structure of bricks and mortar, but a living symbol, a pillar of possibilities. By nurturing a culture of connection and transformation, we empower each generation of learners to reach their full potential while inspiring future generations with a sense of awe and wonder.

The bedrock of our foundation? Teamwork, shared aspirations, and a commitment to the greater good. This inspirational ethos has endured the test of time and has fostered our culture of family, connection, transformation, and academic excellence. Central to TYIS's success is our unwavering commitment to our students as individuals. We recognize that each student is unique in their learning needs, and we support and challenge them to master international standards while incorporating into their worldly lexicon a diverse global perspective. This approach, allows our students to transition from TYIS with a comprehensive understanding of themselves and the world, equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed in it.

For example, in today's fast-paced and rapidly advancing technological landscape, our Middle School's one-to-one laptop program exemplifies our dedication to equipping our students to navigate the complexities of our interconnected world. Through this initiative, we promote intensive inquiry-based learning, dynamic presentations, and project-based learning with real-world applications. Additionally, our "ASK" program offers individualized/personalized planning and reinforcement of learning through smaller class sizes, and push-in/pull-out services. These initiatives are just a few tools in our toolbelt designed to remove barriers to individualized success and lay the foundation for lifelong learning.

However, none of this could be realized without our exemplary teachers, paraprofessionals, and volunteers. Through meticulous academic planning, assessment, reassessment, ongoing professional development, and a steadfast commitment to the latest evidence based instructional methods- they safeguard our solemn promise that every student has and will continue to receive the highest quality education possible.

As we celebrate TYIS's 25th anniversary, join me in renewing our dedication to TYIS, the TYIS family, and the YMCA, for the next twenty-five years. To this remarkable community--it is a privilege to serve and be of service. Thank you to everyone that makes our students dreams possible!

Warm regards,

Christopher Konitz
Principal,
Tokyo YMCA International School