As teachers, we all have daily classroom experiences that shape us over time, influencing our teaching, values, and perspectives. While some moments pass by seemingly unnoticed, others remain vivid in our minds for years to come. In celebration of World Teachers’ Day on October 5, we asked teachers across the BASIS International & Bilingual Schools China network to share their memorable teaching moments. Many found it challenging to choose just one moment, as countless experiences make their work enjoyable. From empowering students to lead discussions and guiding struggling students to communities coming together for music and sporting events, these reflections highlight the joy, connection, and growth that define teaching at BASIS International & Bilingual Schools and show the impact our teachers have on our students.
Teachers Come in All Sizes
One of my favorite days teaching at BASIS International School Shenzhen was the celebration day with our buddy reading class. Each Friday during the year, my Kindergarten class read together with their buddies from a third-grade class. When they started, they were shy and timid; they could not read much and they didn’t say much to their buddies. Over the year, their relationships grew into trusting and caring friendships. My class became brave and felt they could take risks in their reading with their new friends. By the end of the year, they were reading and it was thanks to the help of their third-grade friends and mentors. Strong and lasting friendships were formed. Teachers come in all sizes! Kids mentoring kids is a valuable and fun way to empower learners. In New Zealand, we call this Tuakana-Teina, meaning big brother/sister, little brother/sister. This is yet another fond memory at BASIS for teachers and students alike!
Debra Herring
Kindergarten Subject Expert Teacher
BASIS International School Shenzhen
Embracing Peer Teaching
One defining moment I had as an educator at BASIS was when I continuously adjusted my teaching approach for Algebra & Geometry II. This process of trial and error led me to focus on refining my methods to ensure maximum productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency for my students. Embracing a student-centered strategy, I formed small groups of three, each with one student acting as a teacher assistant, supporting their peers with challenging problems. This approach fostered critical thinking and deeper understanding and proved to be mutually beneficial for the students and the teacher assistants.
What made this experience exceptional was the overwhelming feedback from students who found that engaging in peer teaching or being taught by their peers significantly enhanced their understanding of the material. They discovered that this collaborative approach helped them retain knowledge more effectively, reducing the need for extensive revision. Witnessing the joy of learning through student collaboration and realizing its profound impact on their learning experience was incredibly inspiring and motivating.
Witnessing their growth, not only in terms of academic skills but also in their teamwork and problem-solving abilities, was a truly rewarding experience. It reminded me of the impact that dedicated teaching and a supportive learning environment can have on students. Moments like these underscored the importance of fostering a passion for learning and critical thinking. I am grateful to have been a part of such a vibrant and intellectually stimulating community at BASIS.
It’s important to acknowledge that none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support and guidance from the BASIS network, my dedicated colleagues, and the exceptional management team at BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour.
Corné van Schalkwyk
Algebra Teacher
BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour
Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed
A significant teaching moment for me occurred while working with my Grade 11 students as they embarked on the AP Language & Composition course for the first time at BASIS Bilingual School Shenzhen. Internally, I felt just as apprehensive as they did about teaching this subject to English Language Learners (ELL) for the first time. Countless days, weeks, and months were dedicated to preparing for the exam, developing vocabulary, enhancing reading stamina, and fostering appropriate academic writing skills.
At the beginning of the year, I conveyed to my students, “I have faith in you.” Whenever doubt arose and concern was evident in their expressions, I reiterated, “I have faith in you.” When they took their exam in May, their results reflected their hard work and commitment. During the summer holiday, receiving messages from students celebrating their scores filled my heart with joy.
This moment reminded me that sometimes all you need to get started is faith the size of a mustard seed.
Shalonda Johnson
Grade 9 English Language and AP English Language Teacher
BASIS Bilingual School Shenzhen
Transforming Struggle into Success
One of my most memorable experiences was during my second year at BASIS Internatoinal School Hangzhou. I had a student in my Physics class who struggled with the subject from the start. She expressed difficulty connecting the concepts and found physics to be challenging—and not in a positive way. This was disappointing to me because I knew the struggle wasn’t due to a lack of interest in physics itself.
Determined to change her narrative and through her absolute determination, her enthusiasm for the subject changed as the year progressed. By the end of the semester, she had improved significantly academically, become more confident with her work, and started to enjoy classes. When she came to tell me that she was now planning to study biophysics I was so happy!
That moment of seeing a student who once dreaded the difficulty of a subject overcome her struggle and forge a path in that same subject is what makes teaching worth it!
Chantal Rudman
AP Physics C and Robotics Teacher
BASIS International School Hangzhou
Building a Strong School Community Through Sports
This year, our Physical Education Department has made a great effort to organize sports events and involve parents to promote a sense of belonging. A couple of weeks ago, we held a Tug of War, and it was really amazing. Many parents came to campus to cheer for their children, and some even joined us in Parents vs. Teachers Tug of War match.
Aitor Bilbao
Physical Education Teacher
BASIS International School Nanjing
Fostering Lifelong Learners
Terracotta Warriors (AP Art Work #193)
Teaching is full of many memorable moments as we get to know our students and build relationships. One of the biggest impacts we can have as educators is fostering lifelong learners. Since June, I have received countless messages from students as they travel, visit museums, and see artwork from artists or cultures we covered in our AP Art History class. My students have shared, “It was so nice to see these art pieces in real life!” and “I am at the Museum of Modern Art and am keeping my eyes out for the pieces from the 250.”
Art History has been a passion of mine since I took the class my senior year of high school and continued to take and explore in college. I was eager to share this passion with my students. Even though we were a small class, we learned, shared, critiqued, and grew as art historians. My students are now excited by and interested in art, and this is something they can carry with them much further than an AP score.
Samantha Straky
Chair of Middle School Social Sciences
Grade 8 World History and AP Art History Teacher
BASIS International School Shenzhen
First Impressions Can Be Misleading
My memorable teaching moment at BASIS happened early in the 2023-24 academic year—in fact, it took place on the first and second days of school. I was teaching a bilingual Grade 6 Physics class when I noticed the only girl in the class. She was notable because of how quiet, introverted, and non-verbal she seemed. I had real concerns for her potential success in my class.
The NEXT day, however, I noticed her because she asked amazingly pertinent and focused questions regarding the lesson topic. My impression changed immediately! I learned that first impressions are not always even close to what someone is and that different students have different learning styles. Even though she remains a quiet student, she taught me to be a better teacher!
Roland Solivo
Chemistry & Physics Teacher
BASIS International & Bilingual Schools Wuhan
A Community Comes Together to Host a Grand Music Festival
As a music teacher dedicated to fostering talent and creativity, I’ve always taken pride in organizing diverse musical events—winter concerts, classical evenings, and jazz mornings, among others. However, one of my personal favorites is the International Music Festival, a celebration of global cultures that typically involves the entire school, featuring music and dance from around the world.
One edition of the festival that stands out in my memory took place at the Golden Eagle Mall in Nanjing. Over 250 students participated, dressed in costumes representing different countries, singing in various languages, and performing traditional dances. The scale of the event was grander than ever before. A professional video crew captured the performances with cranes, ensuring every moment was recorded from multiple angles. The venue was decorated with colorful banners, flags, and balloons, adding to the festive atmosphere.
What truly made this event memorable was the energy and commitment of everyone involved. Teachers looked after their students, whether it was their turn to perform or simply accompanying them to the restroom. The Chinese staff were instrumental in distributing programs, selling tickets, and assisting parents. The students’ performances were excellent, and they enjoyed being on stage in front of such a large audience.
As the festival ended, the weather, which had cleared just in time for the event, began to rain, adding a dramatic close to an incredible day.
BASIS International School Nanjing has an amazing community, and it was truly wonderful to see it in action!
Sanja Panovska Milanova
Music and Choir Teacher
BASIS International School Nanjing
Each Day is a Fresh Opportunity to Learn and Grow
Meagan Nomicos, Grade 9 Honors English Language and Composition Teacher
This is my second year teaching at BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour, and my experience as a teacher has been incredible. There isn’t one specific moment that stands out—it’s the culmination of so many memorable experiences. I feel a deep sense of accomplishment, especially when I see students make breakthroughs, or when a difficult lesson finally clicks. The rigorous curriculum and the high expectations set for both students and teachers have also been immensely rewarding, driving me to constantly refine my approach and keep evolving as an educator. Each day in the classroom offers fresh opportunities to learn and grow in ways I never imagined. My Grade 9 students are quirky, smart, and incredibly diligent; their unique personalities always make me smile and make every class enjoyable.
One of the biggest highlights of working here has been the opportunity for my husband and I to travel. Exploring China and Asia has added a new dimension to my life; these travels have broadened my perspective and given me a sense of adventure that I would never have had if I did not make the decision to move to China.
Working BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour has also led to some wonderful friendships with colleagues who share the same passion and commitment.
Teaching at BASIS is a truly fulfilling journey.
Meagan Nomicos
Grade 9 Honors English Language and Composition Teacher
BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour
The Power of Student-Led Conversations
In our first module, we tackled the difficult topic of threats to Human Rights through the gripping novel “Esperanza Rising.” It was a brief, painful exercise of reading notes verbatim, box checking, and awkward silences punctured only by trivial additions that made the teachers worry we might have been in different solar systems, let alone classrooms. It seemed teachers did more than us. Ostensibly, there was some learning to do for all of us.
We worked on discussions for months. Fishbowls, Think-Pair-Share, Socratic Discussions—you name it, we’d been there practicing with growing confidence and a critical mind. We learned how to ask great questions. We noticed the shy boy on the edge of the circle. We asked for his thoughts. He disagreed with the status quo. He wasn’t just heard—he’d ignited deeper reflection within us all. We learned.
The next discussion came along. We weren’t allowed to use notes. But this time, we were ready. We talked about whether or not we thought tourists should be allowed to visit rainforests. The teacher sat on the edge of the circle in contented silence, watching as we navigated the discussion ourselves.
David Sean Esterhuysen
Grade 5 English Teacher
BASIS Bilingual School Shenzhen
Making Microscopic Interactions More Relatable
Dhruv Patel, Chemistry Teacher
Tim was trying his best, struggling to open the wrapper of the chocolate and place it on the plate. As soon as it left his hands, Lancy quickly grabbed the chocolate and gobbled it up as the class cheered her on!
Jorja began the final countdown, “5…4…3….2….1….TIME!”
“Thank goodness” shouted Lancy, “I don’t think I can eat any more chocolates.”
The final count was 4 chocolates eaten in 30 seconds, which converted to a rate of 8 chocolates per minute.
What do chocolates have to do with AP Chemistry? This was a demonstration of how the speed of a chemical reaction is determined by its rate-limiting step.
After determining the rate of chocolates eaten per minute, we discussed what the “steps” were for this “chemical reaction”.
Step 1: Tim unwraps the chocolate and places it on a plate.
Step 2: Lancy eats the chocolate.
We measured the speed of this “reaction” as chocolates eaten per minute. To increase the rate of chocolates eaten we could do one of two things: Add more students to unwrap the chocolates OR add more students to eat the chocolates.
One of these steps is slower than the other, and the students quickly realized that Step 1 was the rate-limiting or rate-determining step. Understanding this concept made it much easier to then look at a reaction mechanism given the relative speed of steps and determine which concentrations could be increased to increase the speed of the reaction.
My first-year chemistry professor in college used this demonstration and I’m glad it still works to this day! Chemistry isn’t always as exciting (or delicious) but every now and then demonstrations like these make microscopic interactions a lot more relatable.
Dhruv Patel
Chemistry Teacher
BASIS International School Guangzhou
Conclusion
These stories from our teachers highlight the powerful connections and growth that define their work. From peer teaching to academic breakthroughs, every moment offers a chance to inspire students and foster a love of learning. At BASIS International & Bilingual Schools, teaching is about more than just lessons—it’s about making a lasting impact in a vibrant, supportive community.
For more information on teaching with BASIS International Schools, visit our careers website.
