1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:19,280 Welcome to Students Incorporated, a podcast where we dive into relevant topics and issues 2 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:23,600 related to the world of business, technology, education, and design. 3 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:25,600 I'm your host, Mr. Jason. 4 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:29,980 Episodes include student conversations, interviews with thought leaders, and inspirational stories 5 00:00:29,980 --> 00:00:31,980 with an international flavor. 6 00:00:31,980 --> 00:00:35,920 This podcast is created and produced with the help of students from the International 7 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:37,920 Community School of Bangkok. 8 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:50,800 In today's episode, we'll discuss developing a positive company culture with our special 9 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:52,280 guest, Mr. Steven. 10 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:55,920 I'm also joined by our co-host, Maci and Tasia. 11 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:59,360 But first, let's hear the quote of the day and get some headline news. 12 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:00,360 Thank you, Mr. Jason. 13 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:02,320 Today's quote is from Sir Sosyon. 14 00:01:02,320 --> 00:01:03,320 He said, 15 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:06,200 Lasting and strong relationships cannot be built on child-lift interest. 16 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:10,440 A credible partnership is inconceivable without shared values and a commitment to the same 17 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:11,600 ideas. 18 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:16,560 In sports news, the Brooklyn Nets have not had a smooth beginning to the NBA season, 19 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:23,360 and forward Yuta Watanabe only complicated it by dunking in his own team's basket. 20 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:28,660 Just recently in regional news, crowds multiplied in Seoul, Korea during a Halloween celebration 21 00:01:28,660 --> 00:01:32,400 causing 154 deaths and dozens of injuries. 22 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:35,760 The catalyst to the crushing stampede is still unknown. 23 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:41,480 And in international news, in order to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Switzerland's first 24 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:47,240 railway, the country is building the world's longest passenger train with 100 cars. 25 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:49,640 Thank you for the quote and the news headlines, Tasia. 26 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:51,440 Let's begin the interview. 27 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:53,680 Maci has our first question for Mr. Steven. 28 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:55,240 Good morning, Mr. Steven. 29 00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:59,760 Our first question for you today is how many years have you been a part of the ICS community? 30 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:01,960 This is my 16th year at ICS. 31 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:06,960 I spent my first two years teaching history in the high school, and ever since then I've 32 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:08,720 been in leadership positions. 33 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:12,680 So ICS is short for International Community School. 34 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:15,520 And everyone here says that the community is the best part. 35 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,920 What kind of things have you seen over the years that have helped build into the strength 36 00:02:18,920 --> 00:02:21,400 of this community and organizational culture? 37 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:23,080 Good question. 38 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:24,960 Community building comes down to people. 39 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:30,240 So if we've done one thing really right over the past several years, it's getting the right 40 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:32,920 people to serve here at ICS. 41 00:02:32,920 --> 00:02:38,000 I do believe that it's God's work of bringing people here from across the world, but it's 42 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:42,800 about getting people who are behind the mission and vision of the school. 43 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:48,520 It's about creating a culture that breeds trust and growth and an emphasis on connecting 44 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:50,520 with students and making them feel known. 45 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:53,840 It's about putting things in place that builds community, whether it's meeting every morning 46 00:02:53,840 --> 00:03:00,000 for devotions as a staff, teacher community, or having days we encourage our community, 47 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:04,880 putting things in place like Eagles Camp, which you had this past weekend, that just 48 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:11,400 breeds and celebrates our community, our diverse community, and fostering bridges between our 49 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,920 parents and teacher community as well. 50 00:03:13,920 --> 00:03:17,760 For me personally, I remember when I first became principal, I heard it said that if 51 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:22,960 you want a positive tone or culture in a school, you have to set it every day personally 52 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:23,960 yourself. 53 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:26,480 And yeah, I've tried to do that every day. 54 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:31,320 So it seems like the company culture is really important to our school, and since it can 55 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:36,040 be defined as a shared set of values, goals, and attitudes, and practices that make up 56 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:41,000 an organization, what are some of ICS core values and goals that make ICS what it is 57 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:42,000 today? 58 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:45,360 Yeah, it starts with our mission and vision, and our mission at ICS is based on the Bible 59 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,440 in partnership with parents. 60 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:51,040 We teach the whole student to know and apply wisdom for the good of our world and the glory 61 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:52,040 of God. 62 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:55,960 And our vision is to continuously excel as a Christ-centered learning community. 63 00:03:55,960 --> 00:04:00,480 So every decision we make, we want those two statements to be behind it. 64 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:02,560 If they're not, we don't do it. 65 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:08,160 It's about reminding staff and teachers of this mission and vision over and over again, 66 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:12,720 keeping it in front of them on every classroom wall and office wall, because this fosters 67 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:18,480 an attitude that we're all here for this common purpose, a common mission to serve students. 68 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:23,920 And we have to maintain that spirit of service and humility in all that we do. 69 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:29,840 So when problems arise or conflict occurs, we point back to the mission with a humble 70 00:04:29,840 --> 00:04:34,440 response and a humble heart, because we still know we're on the same team, we're here for 71 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:37,720 the same outcome, what is best for students. 72 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:39,400 And that leads to growth as a whole school. 73 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:43,360 In your opinion, what are some of the core ingredients needed to foster, accompany your 74 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:44,360 community? 75 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:51,800 I think you need that shared feeling of trust among staff, teachers, and leadership team, 76 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:55,720 shared feeling of care and love for each other. 77 00:04:55,720 --> 00:05:01,260 That's where community building starts through a spirit of care and love for each other. 78 00:05:01,260 --> 00:05:05,920 With that as the foundation, your culture is bound to grow in leaps and bounds. 79 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:11,760 I remember I worked at Merrill Lynch for a few years as a financial firm, and I never 80 00:05:11,760 --> 00:05:14,400 knew the mission of the company at all. 81 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:16,280 I had no idea what it was. 82 00:05:16,280 --> 00:05:22,400 I knew exactly what I needed to do in my given department, but I never knew the connection 83 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:25,320 it had with the overall success of the company. 84 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:26,680 And you have to have that. 85 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:32,720 You have to know where the company is going and what role I play in bringing the whole 86 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:36,080 company towards a greater mission. 87 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:37,280 And that never existed there. 88 00:05:37,280 --> 00:05:42,960 I also remember in a public school I worked at, there was this, it was a tough culture 89 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:44,240 in some ways. 90 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:47,120 The teaching environment was good, but we had shared classrooms. 91 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:52,200 So you had to hang out in a teacher's lounge where all the computers were laid out. 92 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:56,740 And I remember that just became a breeding ground for negativity, negativity against 93 00:05:56,740 --> 00:06:00,040 maybe some student issues or against leadership. 94 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:05,540 And there was this big divide between teachers and the leadership team. 95 00:06:05,540 --> 00:06:08,560 And here at ICS, I don't feel that at all. 96 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:12,840 I didn't feel that when I first arrived, and I hope it's still not the case. 97 00:06:12,840 --> 00:06:18,520 I feel there's a common sense of trust in the teachers, trust in the leadership team, 98 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:21,480 trust in me, care for leadership, care for me. 99 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:23,640 And that made a world of difference. 100 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:28,280 And that enabled me to be who I really was, be free who I really was, and do hopefully 101 00:06:28,280 --> 00:06:30,960 excellent work to allow us all to flourish as a school. 102 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:31,960 Yes, thank you. 103 00:06:31,960 --> 00:06:33,280 I agree with you, Mr. Stephen. 104 00:06:33,280 --> 00:06:36,280 Trust is a really important thing to have in a company culture. 105 00:06:36,280 --> 00:06:41,160 And also these two things, which is efficiency and creativity is also very important. 106 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:45,160 So what do you think is the value of including both efficiency and creativity in the community? 107 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:50,880 Yeah, I mean, in order for a company or school to thrive, you need to have efficient policies, 108 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:55,400 procedures in place that lead corporations to a place of excellence. 109 00:06:55,400 --> 00:07:02,040 At the same time, just getting bogged down in policies and efficiency or what is most 110 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:08,920 efficient often could get in the way of giving teachers or staff or any workers to be creative 111 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:13,560 in their individual talents in order to bring our school to a place of greater success. 112 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:14,560 Yes. 113 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,320 And so how can you find a balance between those two values? 114 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:22,560 Yeah, it's kind of our it's through our individual and joint creative efforts in an efficient 115 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:26,200 way and efficient manner where companies are able to grow faster, right? 116 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:31,520 It's about trusting everyone around us to be the best selves, best of themselves they 117 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:36,680 can be, giving opportunities for them to live out their creative giftings. 118 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:42,280 In the end, it's in those creative decisions, which actually leads to more efficiency and 119 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:45,920 improvements in the end as a company or culture or school. 120 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:50,480 I've got a question about Merrill Lynch, if we can go back to that quick. 121 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:54,320 You said that you weren't connected to the mission or goals. 122 00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:57,160 And obviously, it's a big corporation. 123 00:07:57,160 --> 00:07:59,880 Did you feel like there was a sense of culture there? 124 00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:04,960 Or was it just I go into work, sit down on my desk, do my job and I leave? 125 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:07,240 Yeah, you're exactly that was what it felt like. 126 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:08,920 I just I knew my role. 127 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:10,480 I knew what I had to do every day. 128 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:14,840 There wasn't much connection between other departments, which would have enabled me to 129 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:17,920 feel a bit more sense of fulfillment there. 130 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:22,920 But in the end, after three and a half years, I just never felt that sense of fulfillment. 131 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:27,640 And probably that was partly a reason for it because I never felt a sense towards what 132 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:33,160 I'm doing personally every day that is hitting the benefit of the overall company. 133 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:34,160 All right. 134 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:36,640 Well, thank you for sharing for part one. 135 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:40,520 We'll be right back after this short announcement with part two. 136 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:41,520 Thank you. 137 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:47,520 One, two, three, four. 138 00:08:47,520 --> 00:08:50,640 Procrastination is a rising issue around the world. 139 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:52,920 Why not just leave my assignment to the last minute? 140 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:57,560 Well, students think this is a harmful habit, however, and should be fixed. 141 00:08:57,560 --> 00:09:03,000 Did you know that by dividing your task into simple incremental steps, you can reduce procrastination 142 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:05,480 by up to 60 percent? 143 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:09,200 It's easier to start working when you have a clear picture of what you need to do. 144 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:16,240 You won't be overwhelmed and can complete a big picture with one little step at a time. 145 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:18,720 All right. 146 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:20,280 Thank you for that announcement. 147 00:09:20,280 --> 00:09:24,080 We are back with part two of our discussion with Mr. Stephen. 148 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:26,360 Tazia leads us off with our next question. 149 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:32,240 How big of a role does Christian faith and values play in shaping the community at ICS? 150 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:34,520 I think it plays a massive role. 151 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:38,640 It's the Christian faith and values that unites our staff and teachers. 152 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:43,400 It puts in front of us a common vision as to why we're all here. 153 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:48,240 We're here to serve God, and we do that by serving our student and parent community. 154 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:52,680 That's why our teachers and staff stay on average of eight years, which is extremely 155 00:09:52,680 --> 00:09:56,040 uncommon for international schools. 156 00:09:56,040 --> 00:10:00,960 But they believe they're here for a greater purpose, and I think that's why they stay. 157 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:07,360 So it fosters this spirit of loving and learning that trickles down, I believe, to the students. 158 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:11,740 Our student community is the best in Bangkok, and I see the way they care for each other. 159 00:10:11,740 --> 00:10:15,880 They promote each other's accomplishments, and I believe it starts with the Christian 160 00:10:15,880 --> 00:10:21,640 faith and values that they're learning under, fostering this spirit of compassion and love 161 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:22,640 for others. 162 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:26,640 So with that being said, what exactly are the things that set an ICS student apart from 163 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:27,640 other students? 164 00:10:27,640 --> 00:10:29,720 I see a major difference with ICS students. 165 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:34,160 They're not only driven and brilliant, but they're diverse and creative as well. 166 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:38,680 They also hold onto a foundation of trust and love for each other. 167 00:10:38,680 --> 00:10:40,440 I see it every day in the hallways. 168 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:45,320 During the first month of school, I usually make a point to introduce myself to new students. 169 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:48,220 So I ask them all, like, hey, how you doing? 170 00:10:48,220 --> 00:10:50,200 How do you feel like you're fitting in? 171 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:51,840 What do you feel about the community here? 172 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:58,160 And they always answer, often the same answer, oh, yeah, everyone's treating me so well. 173 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:01,640 My peers, my students are just so nice. 174 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:07,120 And I, of course, I feel a sense of, yeah, hooray, that's what we want. 175 00:11:07,120 --> 00:11:12,180 Our current students to kind of grab hold of these new students and make them feel welcome. 176 00:11:12,180 --> 00:11:16,880 But I just get a sense that these students, these new students, are finally feeling comfortable 177 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:24,060 to be who they really are in this community because our student body is so accepting of 178 00:11:24,060 --> 00:11:25,060 each other. 179 00:11:25,060 --> 00:11:30,120 Our students also do a great job of lifting up people of all talents, whether it be the 180 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:34,840 athlete, the actress, the artist, the computer genius, the scientist, whatever else it may 181 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:35,920 be. 182 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:40,540 Our students see value in all things, and they're there to celebrate alongside each 183 00:11:40,540 --> 00:11:44,520 other, which I really appreciate about our ICS student body. 184 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:49,680 So along with that, how is diversity promoted in our community and what sort of activities 185 00:11:49,680 --> 00:11:50,840 help promote that? 186 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:55,080 First off, I think you could look at diversity in several different ways. 187 00:11:55,080 --> 00:12:01,380 We hold onto a diverse student body of people from over 28 different countries, but we also 188 00:12:01,380 --> 00:12:07,040 hold strongly the idea of diversity of thought within each classroom, which is fostered through 189 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:11,440 a safe environment that our teachers create in our classrooms. 190 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:17,440 We also believe strongly that God has uniquely made each and every one of us and our students 191 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:22,320 allowing for diversity of skills, talents, and abilities to be lifted up and encouraged 192 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:23,800 at ICS. 193 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:28,600 I do believe events like International Day celebrate diversity, but even more so, our 194 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:34,360 salt ships, our capstone initiatives help our students be part of interacting in a diverse 195 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:40,120 socioeconomic setting, creating a greater understanding of the diversity around them 196 00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:41,580 here in Thailand. 197 00:12:41,580 --> 00:12:47,480 We also have Spirit Days, Eagles Camp, Friday night events that celebrate the idea of bringing 198 00:12:47,480 --> 00:12:52,880 our diverse community group of students together, helping them feel as one. 199 00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:54,120 Thank you for your answer. 200 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:56,080 But managing two schools is not easy. 201 00:12:56,080 --> 00:12:58,540 You have to keep the ideas diversified. 202 00:12:58,540 --> 00:13:00,000 You have to keep the morale high. 203 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:04,680 So what are some of the challenges you face in maintaining staff culture, student culture, 204 00:13:04,680 --> 00:13:08,560 and having two different school campuses located in different parts of the country? 205 00:13:08,560 --> 00:13:09,760 Oh, good question. 206 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:13,720 I think a more recent challenge was obviously COVID. 207 00:13:13,720 --> 00:13:19,600 Our middle name, like Tasia said, is community, and it was hard to keep our community so tight 208 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:27,080 in an online forum while our teachers, students, parents were kind of just staying above water 209 00:13:27,080 --> 00:13:28,080 during that time. 210 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:33,280 So it was hard to really breed community and find ways to build community via Zoom. 211 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:39,640 And connecting with two campuses when travel was sometimes difficult over the last two 212 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:46,680 years and building a new school when COVID just hit the world, a global pandemic. 213 00:13:46,680 --> 00:13:52,560 So those were all major challenges and trying to keep the two schools as connected as possible. 214 00:13:52,560 --> 00:13:56,000 But yet they have unique cultures that they're setting in place. 215 00:13:56,000 --> 00:14:02,560 Bangkok has a 30-year culture in place of 1,100 students, while Udon Thani campus is 216 00:14:02,560 --> 00:14:06,680 now, praise God, at 200 students when we started at 150. 217 00:14:06,680 --> 00:14:10,400 So we're really thankful for that growth, but it's a smaller school setting and a new 218 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:11,920 school setting. 219 00:14:11,920 --> 00:14:16,640 So it's hard to manage when it comes to the different cultures that are developing, but 220 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:21,180 yet uniting us as one at certain times and bringing us together. 221 00:14:21,180 --> 00:14:25,960 So the key is to keep the mission and vision in front of all of them and to maintain that 222 00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:32,400 spirit of love and care for students and that idea that we are here to build relationships 223 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:37,000 and connections with our students that needs to continue to thrive, that needs to be the 224 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:42,160 foundation in both schools, and that both will undoubtedly be successful and it will 225 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:45,440 rub off on our student and parent community. 226 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:50,000 Yeah, it's just maintaining that mission and keeping that mission and vision in front of 227 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:56,280 everybody and building connections year over year where ICS teachers can connect with their 228 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:59,280 peers in Udon and vice versa when needed. 229 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:02,120 So I have to continue to strive to build that. 230 00:15:02,120 --> 00:15:07,240 Yeah, it was really cool to see some of the Udon tiny kids at Eagles Camp this past weekend. 231 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:11,600 And I was so encouraged because Mr. Allen had connected with us how what a great time 232 00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:16,800 yesterday, he just shared with us what a great time the Udon students had and then he had 233 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:22,560 shared that when the whole bustle of ICS students came, it was quite intimidating, right? 234 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:28,480 For what 15, 20, I don't know how many Udon students when they see hundreds come, quite 235 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:29,480 intimidating. 236 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:35,600 But anyway, they made a remark that wow, the Bangkok students just made them feel so welcome 237 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:40,280 in their small groups and grabbed hold of them immediately to make sure they didn't 238 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:42,040 feel left out. 239 00:15:42,040 --> 00:15:43,040 Pretty amazing. 240 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:45,200 My heart was touched when I heard that. 241 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:50,360 Thank you ICS students for being so welcoming to the Udon students. 242 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:51,360 They had a blast. 243 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:52,360 So thank you. 244 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:57,640 How can we as listeners help foster positive culture in our own communities or organizations? 245 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:01,320 Well, know first that it takes time to build culture. 246 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:06,000 But the most important aspect is getting the right people on board, people that are behind 247 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:10,720 the mission and vision of an organization, people that will create an environment of 248 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:12,760 care for others. 249 00:16:12,760 --> 00:16:16,880 And then it's about building a common story, a common history, one that will continue to 250 00:16:16,880 --> 00:16:21,680 grow and strengthen every day, leading the company into the future. 251 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:26,200 It's about always choosing to have a spirit of positivity and encouragement in every way 252 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:32,120 where people feel trusted to be themselves and feel like where they're working is a safe 253 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:35,720 place to be, to be who they are made to be. 254 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:38,520 I would like to go back to one other thing. 255 00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:44,120 I feel like for you, Mr. Steven, probably the most important role that you play in this 256 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:49,640 community is keeping us on track with that vision and mission, kind of like a CEO has 257 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:51,360 a big corporation. 258 00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:55,360 So would you agree with that type of like job description? 259 00:16:55,360 --> 00:16:57,840 Yes, I'm actually responsible. 260 00:16:57,840 --> 00:17:03,600 I am under a board, a board of whatever directors here at ICS. 261 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:09,240 And one of their number one policies that they have over me is you are ensuring that 262 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:12,080 the mission and vision is thriving here at ICS. 263 00:17:12,080 --> 00:17:13,080 That's in a nutshell. 264 00:17:13,080 --> 00:17:16,880 But I have to report how I'm doing that, right? 265 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:22,560 How am I making sure the school is maintaining its mission and vision and accomplishing its 266 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:29,000 ends, its ends in the students and their certain ends we go by the Esselers, making sure our 267 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:33,640 students are achieving those Esselers, the ends of what we want our students to accomplish 268 00:17:33,640 --> 00:17:35,560 once they graduate here. 269 00:17:35,560 --> 00:17:37,480 So yeah, that is a major role. 270 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:39,400 I'm not in the classrooms every day. 271 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:45,400 I'm not talking to students and teachers and every single day I hope to get out there and 272 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:47,560 connect with students as much as I can. 273 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:49,000 That's part of my role. 274 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:53,680 But my big role is I have to make sure I'm putting things in place where our mission 275 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:55,680 and vision is continuing to thrive. 276 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:58,600 Yep, we're definitely familiar with those Esselers. 277 00:17:58,600 --> 00:17:59,600 Good, Tasia. 278 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:01,600 Good old Capstone, right? 279 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:02,600 Yeah. 280 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:03,600 Amen. 281 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:06,860 All right, that wraps it up with part two with Mr. Steven. 282 00:18:06,860 --> 00:18:10,240 We know you're really busy and you're on a trip coming up soon. 283 00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:12,120 So we'll end this episode. 284 00:18:12,120 --> 00:18:13,520 So thank you again for joining us. 285 00:18:13,520 --> 00:18:15,280 Oh, thank you so much, guys. 286 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:16,920 You do a great job in all these episodes. 287 00:18:16,920 --> 00:18:21,680 I'm really enjoying every step of the way. 288 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:27,200 In our next episode, we will have a discussion with the casting crew of the upcoming musical 289 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:28,200 Shrek. 290 00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:33,080 As always, this podcast would not be possible without the hard work and support of our international 291 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:34,560 student production team. 292 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:39,720 Our music and sound effects are courtesy of Pixabay.com, a vibrant community of creatives 293 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:43,100 sharing copyright free images, videos and music. 294 00:18:43,100 --> 00:18:45,080 And we're signing off until next time. 295 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:47,840 For Students Incorporated, because your voice matters.