Community
In August 2024, CIC marked its twelfth anniversary with its annual company summit. Colleagues from the United States and campuses and offices across China gathered in Ningbo to celebrate the milestone and look ahead together.
The program included a leadership summit on August 24 followed by an all-staff summit on August 26–27. Across both parts, the focus was on learning from the organization’s first twelve years, strengthening collaboration and clarifying future priorities.
Part one
The management summit focused on practical foundations of leadership and management. Sessions addressed leadership strategies, team management, decision-making and communication—the everyday capabilities that help information move clearly and teams work effectively.
Part two
The staff summit began with activities designed by Barbara and Celliers to help colleagues from different locations connect. Founder and CEO Christine Lin then reflected on CIC’s development, mission, values, organizational structure and plans for the years ahead.
The session gave colleagues a common view of where the organization had come from and the work still to be done.
Part three
Shane Foster, Head of The Barstow School, welcomed participants online. Frank Phillips, Head of St. Mary’s School, joined in person to speak about the qualities of an effective teacher.
Both school leaders emphasized professional responsibility, continued growth and the commitment required to provide students with meaningful guidance and learning opportunities.
Part four
Cici, Director of Faculty Support, introduced the services available to CIC colleagues, including benefits, recognition, online learning and professional-development opportunities.
The presentation connected organizational support with the conditions educators need in order to focus on their students and continue growing in their roles.
Part five
Celliers, Dean of Faculty and Students at the Barstow Ningbo Campus, introduced the curriculum library and the resources available to teachers. Barbara, CIC’s Chief Academic Officer, then discussed professional learning communities as a structure for sustained collaboration and development.
The sessions helped teachers understand how to use shared resources while contributing their own experience to a wider learning community.
Part six
Teachers met in English and arts, social science, science, mathematics and elementary education groups to discuss curriculum guidance, teaching quality and the particular challenges of their disciplines. Operations colleagues held parallel discussions focused on their own work.
The format gave participants time to exchange practical experience and build connections across campuses and departments.
Looking ahead
Across two days, colleagues also joined sessions on teaching strategies, marketing and organizational policies. The summit strengthened shared understanding of CIC’s history and gave teams clearer reference points for the work ahead.
The twelfth anniversary was a chance to recognize what colleagues across locations had built together—and to renew a shared commitment to the students, educators and schools at the center of CIC’s work.
Keep reading
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Campus leaders and CIC colleagues gathered online to explore continuous improvement, educational innovation and stronger school leadership.
The school joined the KLESA network and announced Cognia accreditation in August 2026.
