In order to graduate from Tianjin International School

One of the pleasant surprises of this Chinese adventure has been the school the girls go to.  I know I've sung its praises before, but things keep coming up that remind me just how different it is from the public schools back home.  (And those were supposedly some of the more excellent ones.)

For one thing, the school is small--only about 125 in the high school, and that includes 9th grade, though it is growing.

For another, it takes a special person to decide to live in China in order to teach school.  The teachers have a strong commitment to excellence and each feel it is their "mission" to be here.  So

they are completely involved in the school--it's not just a job.  They care!  Back home, you would run into excellent teachers, but they weren't in the majority.

For a third thing, it has a strong Christian relationship, and they are unapologetically teaching for the whole soul, so values and standards are taught and supported.  Classes and activities begin with prayer.  When a student misbehaves, the counseling includes the need for repenting and changing,

but it's done with love and concern for the best outcome.  There are many students attending who are not Christian but attend because of strong academic standards.

Which brings me to the real reason for this post.  In order to graduate, each student puts together a portfolio of what they have learned in high school, and then they present a power-point to a panel of 5 teachers, finishing up with answering any questions the teachers may have.

Ellie was a bit at a disadvantage, coming in at her senior year, but she did a great job.

 I was glad I got to go and watch the hour-long experience.

 She did a great job of listening to the questions, coming to the core of what was being asked and answering it in a clear way.  She didn't look nervous at all, though afterwards, she

was really glad it was over.

And she passed!  Graduation will be this Thursday, 8 pm.