An Interview with Dr. Martine Lewis, Chief Academic Officer, Maple Bear Global Schools.
Key takeaways
- Three goals of Maple Bear’s educational strategy – new curriculum with personalized approach to each student, continuous teacher training led by Canadian experts, and ensuring the highest quality in all aspects of education
- Inquiry-based learning and student-centric approach – interactive teaching methods encourage students to actively participate and explore. Children don’t receive ready answers, but learn to ask the right questions and discover knowledge independently
- Four key competencies for the future – critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. These are skills that will be crucial in the dynamically changing world of work
- Bilingualism as a window to the world – learning a second language is not only a linguistic competency, but a way of thinking and understanding different cultures. The benefits extend far beyond the classroom walls
- Global network of 39 countries builds quality – teachers, trainers, academics, and school owners work together to improve education, bringing the best solutions of Canadian education to schools around the world
An Interview with Chief Academic Officer Martine Lewis
Maple Bear Global Schools will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2024. From modest beginnings in India and Brazil, it has evolved into one of the world’s leading global education brands, with over 400 schools in 39 countries.
Dr. Martine Lewis was recently appointed Chief Academic Officer to guide the academic vision into the next 20 years. We reached out to Martine to learn more about what has shaped her as a leader and her vision for the future.
Q: Can you tell us about what inspired you to pursue a career in education?
A: After earning my Honours Bachelor of Arts, I taught English in Japan, sparking a passion for bilingual education and cross-cultural communication. I later pursued a Master of Education in the United States and, armed with my certificate, taught grade three in Ecuador. These early experiences laid the foundation for my career in education, fostering a commitment to lifelong learning and a vested interest in teaching and educational research.
Q: Given your extensive experience, what is your philosophy on education?
A: My experience in education has emphasized the importance of student-centred approaches and staying adaptable to evolving methodologies. I bring this insight to Maple Bear by working with the team to ensure we are integrating three primary objectives:
• Develop and support new and revised curriculum with personalized learning initiatives • Foster a culture of continuous professional development • Ensure continued excellence and quality in all aspects of the Maple Bear programs
These objectives will be supported by integrating and leveraging the latest technology.
I am committed to enhancing Maple Bear’s educational framework with a focus on holistic education, global awareness, and inquiry-based learning to ensure we build the skills our students will need for their future.
Q: What are the main trends and challenges that you see in education now?
A: Current trends in education include personalized learning approaches tailored to individual needs, an increased emphasis on developing key skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration, and a significant focus on technology integration. These trends represent a shift towards more dynamic and student-centered education models.
However, the education sector faces challenges in adapting to the rapid pace of technological advancements, ensuring equal access to educational resources across diverse demographics, and effectively preparing students for the complexities of an interconnected global landscape. Maple Bear Global Schools is working to strike a balance between innovation and addressing the needs of a diverse student population with a global footprint.
Q: How does your philosophy align with the Maple Bear program?
A: At Maple Bear, fostering a love of learning is central to our approach. We cultivate curiosity by integrating engaging curriculum and relevant content into our curriculum. We do this using the most up-to-date pedagogy. Our educators use interactive teaching methods, encouraging student participation and exploration.
We create a positive and supportive environment where students feel empowered to express themselves, fostering a sense of joy and curiosity that extends beyond the classroom. This approach instills a lifelong passion for learning in our students.
Q: As a parent and an educator, what advice can you share with our Maple Bear parents?
A: I want to congratulate them for choosing a school where their child can learn a second language; this is a gift for their future. I know first-hand how a second language can open a window to the world. As an educator and Mom of two school-aged children, I am fully committed to the bilingual learning environment. My children attend bilingual schools here in Ontario, becoming fluent French speakers – an official Canadian language. I know that the benefits of a second language go far beyond the classroom walls.
Q: How do you encourage children to do their best academically?
A: Encouraging children to excel academically at Maple Bear involves a multifaceted approach. We emphasize personalized learning, tailoring instruction to individual needs and learning styles. Our educators create a positive and engaging classroom atmosphere, fostering a love of learning. Recognizing and celebrating each student’s achievements, providing constructive feedback, and setting realistic goals are integral parts of our academic strategy. We want to inspire students to achieve their best.
Q: Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
A: One of the most unique benefits of Maple Bear is that we have so many people working together globally to improve education for children around the world.
Having a network of teachers, trainers, academics, and school owners committed to bringing the best of Canadian education to students is incredibly powerful.
I am very excited to be part of this Maple Bear global family.
Summary
Building a modern educational strategy on a global scale requires combining proven Canadian standards with global collaboration. Maple Bear achieves this through three foundations: personalized curriculum adapted to individual learning styles, continuous professional development of teachers trained by Canadian experts, and a quality assurance system.
Maple Bear’s unique strength lies in the global network of professionals collaborating across 39 countries, who together improve education for children around the world. Combined with authentic bilingualism through immersion and the development of four key competencies – critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration – this gives students the tools to function in an unpredictable future.
Dr. Martine Lewis, Chief Academic Officer at Maple Bear, is responsible for shaping the academic vision of Maple Bear Global Schools. The interview was conducted by Romina Mendez, Marketing Analyst, Maple Bear Global Schools.
Source: The Bear, Maple Bear Global Schools edition, 2024