Dr. David Tidswell

Vice Principal at Adcote Suzhou, formerly Head of Residence Hall (Shanghai), and Head of History and Politics (Loretto School, Scotland, UK).

He has taught in schools and universities since 1985, and has published academic papers about History and Geography.

He has a BA in History (Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon, USA), a PhD in History and Geography (University of Edinburgh, UK), and a PGCE (Secondary, History; University of Edinburgh).

蘇州阿德科特外方副校長，經濟學和歷史學博士，曾在上海負責知名國際品牌學校寄宿制。自1985年來，他在各類學校與大學都有執教經驗，發表過多篇歷史、地理方面的學術論文。

Q: Thank you for meeting with us today. You have worked in schools around the world for over 30 years. Can you say something about your background and why you decided to work in China?

Q: 非常感謝您今天能接受我們的采訪。您已經在全世界各地的學校執教超過30年，能和我們分享一下您之前的經歷以及來中國**的原因嗎?

A：I grew up in the USA (Oregon), taught in Honduras, studied and taught throughout the United Kingdom, worked in Spain, and then became a certified teacher in Scotland (in the UK). That decision opened up the most amazing opportunities to work with students from all over the world, and to explore and apply the latest research on learning and teaching. Working in China has been one of the best decisions of my life and I look forward to being involved with Adcote Suzhou for several years. It is a great privilege to be in China during this moment in its historic development and to see how the country works together. China also has one of the most fascinating and substantial cultures in the world and I am in awe of its deep strengths.

A：我于美國俄勒岡長大，去洪都拉斯教過書，在英國多地有學習、教學的經驗。我還在西班牙**過一段時間，最終在蘇格蘭成為了一名資格教師。這個決定不僅讓我接觸到了全世界各地的孩子們，教學方面，更能探索全新的教育理念，并將之付諸實踐。來中國**是我一生中所做的比較好決定之一，我非常期待在未來的幾年里成為Adcote家庭的一員。中國當下正處于飛速發展的盛世，能在這個時間節點來到這里，切身觀察、感受這個國家的運作方式，是我的榮幸。而且，中國還孕育了全世界最迷人、最悠久的多元文化，我為她各方面的實力感到深深的敬仰。

Q：What do you think are the advantages of studying at a school like Adcote?

Q：您覺得，在Adcote這樣的學習氛圍里成長，有什么好處嗎?

A：Adcote is well known for its holistic approach to education, meaning that each student has their own gifts and experiences which should be appreciated and nurtured. We recognise that education is an amazing process since it involves opening everyone's eyes to the talents which a student already possesses. By everyone, we mean the student themselves as well as their family, friends, and even their teachers. It is a noble project to bring a young person into harmony with themselves, and to help them accept their strengths and weaknesses rather than denying they exist.

On the other hand, one of the paradoxes of education is that we cannot simply accept things as they are but must continually strive to improve our abilities and understanding about each subject as well as ourselves. We demand that students surprise themselves by developing themselves and their talents. This process can take much time since many students are very fixed in their beliefs about themselves, so it is important to be patient with all concerned.

A：眾所周知，我們在Adcote實行的全人教育，旨在欣賞與培養每一位學子的天賦和經歷。我們明白教育本身是一段美妙的過程，它放大了學生的才能，讓所有人都可以注意到。這里的所有人，*含了學生自己、他們的家人、朋友，甚至是他們的老師。這是一項崇高的使命：引領一名年輕人同自身達到和解，并幫助他們接受自己的長處以及短處，而非一味否認。

另一方面，教育的一大悖論在于，我們不能夠無為而治，而是必須不斷努力，努力提升自己的本領，加深對每一門所授科目的理解，最后，更要回歸本心，自我升華。我們要求同學們，提升自我、耕耘夢想，最終用事實呈上一份驚喜。整個過程并非一蹴而就，因為對于自我認知，很多學生通常十分固執，所以老師們的耐心是必不可少的。

Q：How does this work in practice?

Q：那此教育理念具體是怎樣踐行的呢?

A：We work with each student as much as possible on their character development by managing their time and activities through the day, and through regular conversations. As an international school, we balance their required free time with time for studying and other personal responsibilities. We realise that young people need guidance in this area so we have restricted their use of electronic devices through the week. Smartphones are not allowed, while laptops and tablets are highly regulated.

We recognise that students around the world struggle to concentrate and read well on devices: ECDs distract attention from the real task at hand which is to become as smart as possible and to prepare for university life. On the other hand we have many activities, such as morning yoga, afternoon clubs and evening study sessions, which improve students' abilities in independent learning and better self-focus.

A：我們會盡可能地在每個學生的人格塑造上下功夫，通過安排管理他們的學習與活動時間，并在日常溝通中潛移默化地影響他們。在國際教育體系內，我們會平衡好學生的休閑與學習時間，勞逸結合。我們意識到年輕的孩子們在這方面亟需引導，因此，我們限制了學生在校內電子設備的使用。其中，智能手機是禁止的，涉及筆記本電腦和平板，我們也采取了嚴格管理。

實際上，全世界的學生都面臨著上課走神、學習低效等難題：因為電子設備的濫用，學生無法集中于現階段的主要任務，那就是不斷提高自己的知識水平，為將來的大學生活做好萬全準備。除了優質謹嚴的教學管理，蘇州阿德科特還提供各類豐富多彩的課外活動，例如晨時瑜伽、午后博雅課程以及夜自修時間，這些都能增進學生的自主學習能力，提高自我聚焦水平。

Q：What sorts of routines do the students follow at Adcote?

Q：您能為我們簡單介紹一下Adcote學生一天的學習生活流程嗎?

A：Students are taught to be independent learners from the first day they arrive, and that means understanding and accepting their responsibilities for their own learning and behaviour as appropriate to their age. We have different expectations of an A Level student than of someone in Grade 7, but each student has to follow the rules and routines in order to maintain a harmonious environment.

For example, at the start of the day, all students have a morning inspection which includes making their beds and leaving for yoga in an organised way. During study hall sessions, students work quietly and methodically through their homework. Extension activities for independent learning follow and these are noted down in their homework diaries. It is important that students experience success in their study time in order to build their confidence and capabilities daily. In the evening we have a quiet time before sleeping which focuses on inner creativity (reading, writing, drawing, thinking) so that students are not distracted by ECDs or worries before getting a good night of sleep. 'Lights out' means silence with no disruptions so that everyone gets their proper sleep to renew their minds for the next day.

A：自學生進校園的**天起，他們所學的**件事就是要成為獨立的阿德科特人，這便意味著要充分了解并接受自己在學習、在日常行為規范中應盡的各項義務。對于A-Level的同學和七年級的同學，我們所定的標準要求的確有所不同，但遵守學校規章制度是我們對于每一位學子在校的基本要求，因為只有這樣，我們才能**一個和諧的校園環境。

比如，一天伊始，學生們應該整理好被褥，再有序地前往氣膜館進行喚醒運動。夜自修時間，學生需安靜且有條不紊地完成當天的作業。當然還會有一些建立在自主學習基礎上的拓展活動，這些相關的都會被記錄在他們的作業日志內。學生獨立學習的時間，成就感對于他們自信心的累積和能力的鍛煉都至關重要。入睡前，我們還設置了一段靜休時間(例如開展閱讀、寫作、繪畫和思考等活動)，引導學生凝神于內在的創造力。如此一來，他們不會被電子設備或者當日憂慮所擾，輕松進入甜美的夢鄉。“熄燈”意味著不能發出噪音，干擾到其他人，這樣大家都能有一份優質睡眠，繼而精神飽滿地開啟新的一天。

Q：How do the staff look after the students outside of the classroom?

Q：在日常教學外，阿德科特的老師們又是如何照看學生們的呢?

A：At each point of the day there are staff making sure that the students show respect for the efforts of their parents and the school who have provided a safe and nurturing environment. Staff care for the students 24 hours a day while they are on campus and take their role as 'parents on location' very seriously.

For example, in the morning, staff wake up students with a friendly greeting and reminders about leaving on time. In the evenings during study hall, staff maintain a quiet mood in the room, helping individuals and groups who need assistance with homework, how to study, or how to become more organised. At bedtime they are vigilant in keeping the students quiet and rested. Throughout the whole day, we view each interaction between staff and students as an opportunity to develop their character and to show them the correct paths in life.

A：全天的各個時段，老師都會時時監督、確保學生們沒有辜負父母的養育，虧負學校的期望，因為雙方為保孩子的茁壯成長，提供了安全且完備的學習環境，都付出了極大心血。在校期間，教職工會24小時無間斷地照看好學生，認真履行自己作為孩子們“代理家長”的職責。

例如，每天清晨，老師親切地喚醒同學們，并提醒他們按時離寢;晚自習時段，老師會維持好教室內的秩序，幫助個別同學，指導他們完成家庭作業，分享學習、自我管理的好方法;就寢時間，他們也會時刻警惕，確保所有人都能安心休息。一天當中，我們將每一次師生間的互動視為塑造學生人格、指引人生前路的好機會。

Q：What have you enjoyed seeing already at Adcote?

Q：在蘇州阿德科特，有沒有發現一些讓您很滿意的地方呢?

A：The staff are incredibly supportive of the students and will do whatever it takes to help each student succeed. They are willing to listen as well as to challenge our students to improve continually, and expect to get to know the students as rounded individuals, not exam machines. The students have many opportunities here to get a balanced education, an international approach to learning, and many extra-curricular activities. Our safe and nurturing environment provides a place for each student to flourish and we expect the students to take full advantage of what is offered. We recognise that students will go through personal issues as they get older and we have counsellors and staff who are very willing to listen and work with those who might struggle. We expect honesty and respect in return.

Adcote Suzhou is already very special to me. We demand great things from our students and have very high expectations that they will always do their best. We will support students in their academic and personal development, and expect them to strive hard to honour their families and school.

A：教職工們對學生們在方方面面都給予了無限支持與幫助，他們會奉獻一切，助學生走上成功之路。他們是耐心的聆聽者，他們也同樣愿意考驗他們，督促他們不懈努力。在老師眼里，每個同學都是性格迥異的個體，而非呆板的考試機器。

阿德科特學子將在這里獲得全面發展的教育體系，擁有國際視野的學習方式，以及多姿多彩的課外活動。安全且完備的校園環境為每位學生提供了一方盡情展示的舞臺，我們也希望大家能夠好好利用這個機會，大放異彩。學生在逐漸成長的過程中也許會遇到某些私人問題，但是不用擔心，我們專業的指導老師會很樂意提供援助，與他們共同克服各種困難。而誠實與尊重是我們想要的唯一回報。

蘇州阿德科特對我而言已是十分特殊。我們要求學生們全面發展，并期望他們時時刻刻都能用盡全力，展現比較好的一自己。我們也會從學業和生活方面協助他們成長，最終希望莘莘學子的家人和母校會以他們為榮。

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