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).

苏州阿德科特外方副校长，经济学和历史学博士，曾在上海负责知名国际品牌学校寄宿制。自1985年来，他在各类学校与大学都有执教经验，发表过多篇历史、地理方面的学术论文。

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: 非常感谢您今天能接受我们的采访。您已经在全世界各地的学校执教超过30年，能和我们分享一下您之前的经历以及来中国**的原因吗?

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：我于美国俄勒冈长大，去洪都拉斯教过书，在英国多地有学习、教学的经验。我还在西班牙**过一段时间，最终在苏格兰成为了一名资格教师。这个决定不仅让我接触到了全世界各地的孩子们，教学方面，更能探索全新的教育理念，并将之付诸实践。来中国**是我一生中所做的比较好决定之一，我非常期待在未来的几年里成为Adcote家庭的一员。中国当下正处于飞速发展的盛世，能在这个时间节点来到这里，切身观察、感受这个国家的运作方式，是我的荣幸。而且，中国还孕育了全世界最迷人、最悠久的多元文化，我为她各方面的实力感到深深的敬仰。

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

Q：您觉得，在Adcote这样的学习氛围里成长，有什么好处吗?

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：众所周知，我们在Adcote实行的全人教育，旨在欣赏与培养每一位学子的天赋和经历。我们明白教育本身是一段美妙的过程，它放大了学生的才能，让所有人都可以注意到。这里的所有人，*含了学生自己、他们的家人、朋友，甚至是他们的老师。这是一项崇高的使命：引领一名年轻人同自身达到和解，并帮助他们接受自己的长处以及短处，而非一味否认。

另一方面，教育的一大悖论在于，我们不能够无为而治，而是必须不断努力，努力提升自己的本领，加深对每一门所授科目的理解，最后，更要回归本心，自我升华。我们要求同学们，提升自我、耕耘梦想，最终用事实呈上一份惊喜。整个过程并非一蹴而就，因为对于自我认知，很多学生通常十分固执，所以老师们的耐心是必不可少的。

Q：How does this work in practice?

Q：那此教育理念具体是怎样践行的呢?

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：我们会尽可能地在每个学生的人格塑造上下功夫，通过安排管理他们的学习与活动时间，并在日常沟通中潜移默化地影响他们。在国际教育体系内，我们会平衡好学生的休闲与学习时间，劳逸结合。我们意识到年轻的孩子们在这方面亟需引导，因此，我们限制了学生在校内电子设备的使用。其中，智能手机是禁止的，涉及笔记本电脑和平板，我们也采取了严格管理。

实际上，全世界的学生都面临着上课走神、学习低效等难题：因为电子设备的滥用，学生无法集中于现阶段的主要任务，那就是不断提高自己的知识水平，为将来的大学生活做好万全准备。除了优质谨严的教学管理，苏州阿德科特还提供各类丰富多彩的课外活动，例如晨时瑜伽、午后博雅课程以及夜自修时间，这些都能增进学生的自主学习能力，提高自我聚焦水平。

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

Q：您能为我们简单介绍一下Adcote学生一天的学习生活流程吗?

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：自学生进校园的**天起，他们所学的**件事就是要成为独立的阿德科特人，这便意味着要充分了解并接受自己在学习、在日常行为规范中应尽的各项义务。对于A-Level的同学和七年级的同学，我们所定的标准要求的确有所不同，但遵守学校规章制度是我们对于每一位学子在校的基本要求，因为只有这样，我们才能**一个和谐的校园环境。

比如，一天伊始，学生们应该整理好被褥，再有序地前往气膜馆进行唤醒运动。夜自修时间，学生需安静且有条不紊地完成当天的作业。当然还会有一些建立在自主学习基础上的拓展活动，这些相关的都会被记录在他们的作业日志内。学生独立学习的时间，成就感对于他们自信心的累积和能力的锻炼都至关重要。入睡前，我们还设置了一段静休时间(例如开展阅读、写作、绘画和思考等活动)，引导学生凝神于内在的创造力。如此一来，他们不会被电子设备或者当日忧虑所扰，轻松进入甜美的梦乡。“熄灯”意味着不能发出噪音，干扰到其他人，这样大家都能有一份优质睡眠，继而精神饱满地开启新的一天。

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

Q：在日常教学外，阿德科特的老师们又是如何照看学生们的呢?

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：全天的各个时段，老师都会时时监督、确保学生们没有辜负父母的养育，亏负学校的期望，因为双方为保孩子的茁壮成长，提供了安全且完备的学习环境，都付出了极大心血。在校期间，教职工会24小时无间断地照看好学生，认真履行自己作为孩子们“代理家长”的职责。

例如，每天清晨，老师亲切地唤醒同学们，并提醒他们按时离寝;晚自习时段，老师会维持好教室内的秩序，帮助个别同学，指导他们完成家庭作业，分享学习、自我管理的好方法;就寝时间，他们也会时刻警惕，确保所有人都能安心休息。一天当中，我们将每一次师生间的互动视为塑造学生人格、指引人生前路的好机会。

Q：What have you enjoyed seeing already at Adcote?

Q：在苏州阿德科特，有没有发现一些让您很满意的地方呢?

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：教职工们对学生们在方方面面都给予了无限支持与帮助，他们会奉献一切，助学生走上成功之路。他们是耐心的聆听者，他们也同样愿意考验他们，督促他们不懈努力。在老师眼里，每个同学都是性格迥异的个体，而非呆板的考试机器。

阿德科特学子将在这里获得全面发展的教育体系，拥有国际视野的学习方式，以及多姿多彩的课外活动。安全且完备的校园环境为每位学生提供了一方尽情展示的舞台，我们也希望大家能够好好利用这个机会，大放异彩。学生在逐渐成长的过程中也许会遇到某些私人问题，但是不用担心，我们专业的指导老师会很乐意提供援助，与他们共同克服各种困难。而诚实与尊重是我们想要的唯一回报。

苏州阿德科特对我而言已是十分特殊。我们要求学生们全面发展，并期望他们时时刻刻都能用尽全力，展现比较好的一自己。我们也会从学业和生活方面协助他们成长，最终希望莘莘学子的家人和母校会以他们为荣。

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