TOKYO FAMILIES: How long have you lived in Tokyo, and what brought you here initially?

PATRICK: I arrived in Japan on September 2nd, 1991 (ironically on the birthday of my wife, Ikuko Tsuboya Newell). I originally planned on living in Japan for five years with the main objective of balancing my Western thinking with an Eastern way of thinking. I arrived here with an open mind and an intuitive trust that it was important for me to discover more about the Asian perspective.

TF: How did you get involved in education?

PN: While interviewing for variety of positions soon after moving here, I accepted an offer to join my wife in running two English language schools. I became very interested in education and its practical real world relevance. The real crossroads came when a decision needed to be made regarding where our two daughters would attend elementary school. I was 29 years old and facing one of the most critical decisions of my life. I knew that opening an elementary school carried responsibility beyond my comprehension, was a commitment to living the rest of my life in Tokyo, and was one that would require me to constantly challenge my intellectual, spiritual and emotional being. It was without doubt one of the best decisions of my life.

TF: What is your core teaching and learning philosophy?

PN: I developed a learning model called the “Relevant Learning Model” that approaches learning using a triangular model: learning through subject integrated inquiry with the brain in mind, learning with the heart in mind, and stimulating the brain through empowerment.

One point of the triangle focuses on learning through inquiry, because I believe life is a continuum of learning new information. This approach wires the brain for learning through a series of steps. First, we teach students to access their current knowledge of a topic. Next, they learn how to develop well-rounded questions about the topic, and then are shown effective ways to research the questions, summarize their findings, and then to share their knowledge with others. This process meets the present and future needs of our world and prepares our children for a successful transition into higher education and beyond.

Focusing on developing positive human characteristics and attitudes is another point of the triangle. The foundation for this begins with our school mission statement: To nurture confident, open-minded, independently thinking, well-balanced inquirers for global responsibility.

The third point focuses on empowering students to actively participate in many decision-making processes which leads to a high level of motivation, interest and engagement. Children are empowered learners who are actively involved in learning what is relevant with today’s global topics.

TF: What role should information technology have in today’s schools?

PN: The integration of information technology and use of computers as one of the core tools to facilitate learning is also very relevant now. Our students are Digital Natives, and should be provided with the most relevant tools for inquiring, researching, summarizing their discoveries, and presenting their conclusions.

TF: How are you sharing the “Relevant Learning Model” and your expertise beyond the walls of your school?

PN: I have a strong passion for facilitating change to provide a positive future for our children and fortunately receive many opportunities to promote change. During the past year, I have been the chair of accreditation teams in both China and Dubai, collaborated with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and Council of International Schools on revising their accreditation model, and advised Boards of Education throughout Japan. I also had the opportunity to collaborate with the U.S. Government on promoting international education initiatives in Okinawa. Additionally, I also receive many visitors from Japan and all over the world who have heard that our school is truly a 21st Century International School and are interested in seeing the Relevant Learning Model in action. It has been very rewarding to see how my passion for learning and facilitating change have positively impacted students in such a variety of places.