Dear YIS Community Members,
As a parent of two YIS students, my son in grade 7 and my daughter in grade 10, I have been honored to serve on the YIS Board of Directors since 2019, and currently as your Vice-Chair.
Having been born and raised in Yokohama, and having experienced international education myself at Santa Maria, Saint Joseph, and graduating from Saint Mary’s, I possess a profound understanding of the effort required to sustain a truly international institution like YIS for generations to come. The fact that two of the schools I attended no longer exist serves as a poignant reminder of the continuous commitment needed to ensure YIS not only survives but thrives for the next century. I am consistently impressed by the talented educators and dedicated leaders at YIS who tirelessly work to keep our school at the forefront of global education, consistently maintaining the highest standards for our students.
My children have attended YIS from the Early Learning Center days, providing me with a valuable front-row seat to our school’s exciting transformation, most notably our move to the wonderful Honmoku campus. Throughout this journey, the enduring spirit of “Live, Learn, Lead” has remained a constant guiding principle, alongside YIS’s unwavering dedication to its core culture, mission, and values. These fundamental elements are truly the pillars of our vibrant YIS community.
We all recognize that the educational landscape is constantly evolving, marked by increasing competition and the rapid advancements in technology, particularly in the realm of Artificial Intelligence. I am deeply passionate about ensuring that YIS not only effectively adapts to this dynamic environment but actively leads the way in shaping the future of international education. My professional experience and connection to the fast-paced transformation within the information and technology sectors further enable my commitment to serve YIS in this crucial area. As a member of the YIS Board, I am committed to continuing to guide, support, and ensure that YIS remains on its path of innovation, thoughtfully honoring our rich past and vibrant present while strategically shaping our future for continued success.
In addition to my role as Vice-Chair, I also had the distinct privilege of participating on the Compensation Committee this past year. Furthermore, I was honored to contribute my time and perspective to the Search Committee for our new Head of School. These experiences have continually deepened my appreciation for the remarkable global recognition that Yokohama International School (YIS) commands. It is inspiring to witness firsthand the widespread international appeal of our institution. Our dedicated faculty body is a clear testament to this, attracting talented educators from all corners of the globe who bring a wealth of diverse perspectives and experiences to our classrooms.
Our stunning Yokohama campus truly elevates the learning experience for each and every member of our community, and I always enjoy my visits to the school. I look forward to connecting with those of you whom I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting in person.
Thank you for being such a vital part of the YIS community and hope to have the opportunity to speak with you soon.
Best regards,
Hiroshi Alley
Vice-Chair, Board of Directors