Resilience, accomplishment, and community spirit are some words that come to mind as the founding team looks back on their incredible first year at BASIS International & Bilingual School Chengdu. The team encountered challenges and setbacks along the way, yet their commitment to their students, parents, and each other propelled them forward, fostering an environment of growth and excellence. As the year unfolded, this group created memories, strengthened bonds, and emerged as a vibrant community, surpassing expectations. Join us as we delve into reflections from the team and celebrate the success of BASIS International & Bilingual School Chengdu’s inaugural year.
Dr. Ryan Kelly
Head of School 
Reflecting on our inaugural year, I am struck by how much I appreciate everyone who took the leap of faith and joined me in opening this stunning school. It was certainly not easy, and we dealt with major setbacks and tribulations; nevertheless, we stayed steadfast in our commitment to our students and parents. The community we built surpassed my expectations because everyone believed in what we were doing and supported one another through all the triumphs and trials we each experienced professionally or personally. I certainly look forward to welcoming new members to this fantastic team and helping us build upon the success of our first year!
Jennifer Gunter
Vice Head of High School 
As we finish the year here in Chengdu, I think back on our first year together through flashes of images and memories. On our first day on campus as a teaching team laughing as we tried to cool off enough (there was a heat wave!) to take professional photos, working together in the still-being-built school before the opening to set foundations and best practices for what would be our school, welcoming our students and their parents to our grand opening ceremony, and standing outside on the first day of school as cars began to pull up with our students ready to start their BASIS journey—these are my memories of our first days together. This year, we experienced many firsts, celebrated several achievements, and united as a team and community. I am thankful to everyone—our teachers, operations team, students, and parents—for taking a risk and joining our community. It’s been a fantastic year, and I am excited for many more amazing years to come!
Jessica Loots
Vice Head of ECE 
My first visit to BASIS Chengdu in January 2022 was magical, as I experienced the magnitude of the campus for the first time. Reflecting 18 months later, as we complete our first year, our team overcame many obstacles to provide a world-class education. We planned each event, activity, and lesson with our students’ success in mind. Together, we accomplished so much! As a proud BASIS Chengdu employee, I’m grateful for the opportunity that BASIS provided my family and me to join the Founding Team in Chengdu.
My first time on campus, January 2022
Our first Day on the Chengdu Campus as a family
My kids are enjoying their wonderful new campus in Chengdu!
This ECE campus is a dream come true—it offers everything from amazing indoor facilities to world-class outdoor playgrounds and spaces.
Dr. Karen Eisenberg
Primary Teacher, Math & Science 
We finally made it to the end of the school year. I feel like I have been on quite a roller coaster ride; however, the ride has been worth it. Highlights from the year are making friends from all over the world, reigniting my love of teaching, working with an awesome grade-level team, exploring Chengdu, and of course, how can I forget the opportunity to hold the tube at the COVID test site.
Allesandro Johnson
Primary Teacher, Math & Science 
It started ROUGH and ended on a STUNNING HIGH!
I feel a sense of pride seeing the students’ progress and my progress this year. It started off scary but ended on a stunning high. As a co-teacher, I got to see the world of teaching through the perspective of other teachers. I am filled with excitement and anticipation as I think about the opportunity to establish positive co-teaching experiences for the upcoming school year. And finally, I’m looking forward to summer break and spending quality time with my family and friends. Cheers to a successful year!
Joshua Martin
Social Studies Teacher and Athletic Director 
The first year of BASIS Chengdu was a year full of challenges and greatness. We had our first rounds of AP classes. It was a learning curve for all of us, and we had to adapt to ensure we prepared students for the exams. We are proud of the students and their resilience throughout the school year.
The inaugural year of BASIS Chengdu Fighting Panda sports teams saw an incredible foundation laid. Our students set the groundwork for continued success in basketball, volleyball, and soccer. Several games occurred throughout the year, with the Fighting Pandas only losing three games. During practices and games, students learned teamwork, perseverance, and resilience. They fought hard in each competition and left everything on the field or court. With each practice and game, it was evident that our students were working hard on their skills, and their confidence grew as their skills increased.
As our school continues to evolve, new and exciting opportunities await our Fighting Pandas. In the 2023–24 school year, we will join the Chengdu Schools Sports Association (CSSA). This membership means our sports teams will have regular seasons and regularly scheduled games. We look forward to the opportunities this league presents our student-athletes in the coming year and beyond.
Sam Martin
Physical Education Teacher 
Construction, lockdowns, and COVID, oh my! None of these stopped the students or staff of BASIS Chengdu. This inaugural year has been full of memories, establishing traditions, and building the foundation for this amazing school. Our sports teams made incredible progress and brought back some key wins. Art shows and drama productions allowed many students to “break a leg” and let their Michelangelos show through. One word comes to mind as we look back on the past academic school year: resiliency. So, we now take that resiliency and continue to build upon it in the years ahead!
Avishka Brijmohan
Primary Teacher, Math & Science
The best decision of my life.
Teaching abroad has always been a dream of mine, and in 2022, my dream became my reality. It feels like just yesterday that I nervously exited the plane and touched down in China, hauling my suitcases with tears (and some sweat) dripping down my face. It was nerve-wracking trying to fit my whole life into three large suitcases; it took me many months to pack my bags! After teaching in South Africa for 11 years, moving abroad was a difficult decision, pushing me out of my comfort zone and leaving the only school I had ever known and my amazing family. But as this school year ends, I realize that joining BASIS International & Bilingual School Chengdu and moving to this beautiful country was the best decision of my life!
Looking back on this school year, I am filled with a mixture of emotions. It has been a challenging yet rewarding journey. It hasn’t been easy as I faced various obstacles, but I was determined to fulfill my dream and embrace this new adventure. I’m proud of my students’ growth and the relationships we have built. It surely has been a year of learning for all of us. I am grateful for the incredible support from my colleagues, administrators, and the school community, who have helped enhance my teaching practices so that I can provide meaningful learning experiences for my students. I am grateful for my new family in China, and I can proudly say that I am entering the summer break with a sense of accomplishment, gratitude, and renewed enthusiasm for the next school year.
For more information about teaching with BASIS International Schools, visit our careers website.
