Dr. Derrick Gay Opens the TAS Speaker Series with “Belonging for Success: Preparing Students for Lifelong Achievement and Real-World Challenges.”

In October, our community had the privilege of hosting Dr. Derrick Gay, a distinguished expert in belonging and intercultural strategy, who led several engaging sessions with parents, students, and employees, on the critical work of belonging in schools. His presentations highlighted the crucial connection between student belonging and academic excellence—a cornerstone of our mission at TAS to develop individuals of character with global perspectives.

Research has consistently shown that students who feel a strong sense of belonging achieve higher academic success. Dr. Gay emphasized that this connection is particularly critical for international school students who will navigate diverse global environments after graduation. "Intercultural competency isn't just a nice-to-have skill—it's fundamentally linked to academic excellence and future success," Dr. Gay explained.

A key insight from the sessions was challenging common misconceptions about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ). While many associate DEIJ primarily with specific topics like LGBTQ+ issues or America-centric racial discussions, Dr. Gay emphasized its broader scope, particularly highlighting challenges faced by Asian students studying abroad in North America.

Dr. Gay noted that many international school graduates from Asia face unexpected social challenges when pursuing higher education abroad, particularly in the United States. While it's common for students to seek comfort in friendships with other international students or those from similar backgrounds, this can limit their networking opportunities and future success. He stressed the importance of developing strong intercultural competencies from an early age to help students navigate these challenges effectively.

Parents play a crucial role in fostering belonging and intercultural competency. Dr. Gay encouraged families to:

• Actively discuss family values at home
• Promote kindness and respect in daily interactions
• Address potentially harmful "jokes" that may be rooted in stereotypes
• Support children in developing respectful communication habits
• Engage in open discussions about cultural differences and experiences

Dr. Gay’s message is at the heart of our mission: developing students who possess both sincere character and global perspectives. At TAS, we know that our students' identities shape their worldview and interactions, and we are committed to helping them develop the intercultural competencies necessary for success in school, university, careers, and global citizenship.

The partnership between school and home is essential in building a community where every student feels they belong. As we prepare our students for success in an increasingly interconnected world, we invite all parents to join us in:

• Supporting inclusive practices at home and school
• Encouraging friendships and connections with people from a wide range of backgrounds
• Discussing cultural differences openly and respectfully
• Addressing challenges related to belonging proactively

By working together, we can ensure our students graduate not only with academic excellence but also with the social-emotional tools needed to thrive in any global environment they choose to enter.

As part of his visit, Dr. Gay also facilitated focus groups to help craft the role of Director of Belonging and Social Impact, which will begin at TAS for the 2025-26 school year. This role is focused on creating the systems and conditions for everyone, from teachers and staff, to administrators, parents, and students, to both feel and cultivate a sense of belonging in our community. This role will also focus on service learning, developing programs that create powerful learning experiences for our students as they understand the positive impact they can make on Taipei, Taiwan, and the world.

Finally, Dr. Gay facilitated a panel of faculty who, as part of our Cultural Celebration Month activities for October, shared their experiences as

members of the LGBTQ+ community in an evening event. This conversation focused on the personal impact of belonging, and how to help every member of our community feel known, seen, safe, and successful.

Thank you, Dr. Gay, for this fantastic visit! Mark your calendars for Dr. Gay’s return to TAS in May of 2025 for EduLead, the second-annual educational conference that TAS will host on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, opent o parents, guardians, educators, and students.