CIS Voice | Aaron Chavez:New academic force! Welcome to the Director of International Schools in China for the Group-1

Welcoming Mr. Aaron Chavez as CIEO’s Director of International Schools in China, bringing new strength to all CIEO member schools including CIS.

CIS is a proud member of CIEO – the Canadian International Education Organization. With over 25 years of educational experience and more than 30 campuses worldwide, CIEO is committed to delivering globally minded, individualized, and high-quality learning experiences.

Mr. Aaron Chavez’s appointment as CIEO’s Director of International Schools in China brings direct leadership and professional guidance to CIS and other member schools. With his rich educational leadership experience and student-centered philosophy, Aaron will collaborate closely with CIS and fellow campuses to support sustained growth, enhance teacher development, strengthen curriculum quality, and deepen family-school partnerships.

Aaron Chavez brings over 25 years of educational leadership, having served as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and executive director in Washington State, USA. He holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern Washington University and a master’s degree from Heritage University and is a certified district-level superintendent.

Throughout his career, Aaron has become known for a leadership style grounded in trust and presence. He believes that great leaders spend time in classrooms, listen to teachers, and stay connected to students. This hands-on approach has helped him foster high-performing school communities that focus not only on academic achievement but also on emotional safety and Student belonging.

Aaron’s educational vision is rooted in personal experience. As a student, he was shaped by teachers and family members who believed in him. That experience shaped his mission: to create schools where every student, teacher, and parent feels valued, respected, and inspired.

He integrates academic rigor with emotional care, ensuring that schools are both intellectually challenging and deeply supportive. His leadership has involved the implementation of several impactful systems, including:

These reflect his belief in whole-child education and empowered teaching teams.

As a senior leader within CIEO, Aaron will work closely with CIS to understand the school’s unique strengths and needs, and provide comprehensive, long-term support. 

His presence is not only structural—it brings real, tangible benefits to the entire CIS community.

Aaron is a strong advocate for personalized learning. He encourages every student to discover their potential and explore their individual interests. At CIS, he will support data-informed academic strategies, the enrichment of arts and well-being programs, and a holistic learning environment that nurtures growth in multiple dimensions.

Aaron brings with him proven systems of coaching and professional development. His expertise will support CIS’s teaching team by introducing collaborative learning models, elevating instructional design, and reinforcing the school’s strong culture of academic excellence.

Aaron believes that strong schools are built on strong family partnerships. His leadership emphasizes open communication, inclusivity, and mutual respect. He will help deepen the connection between CIS and its diverse parent community, strengthening our shared role in student success.

Beyond his work in education, Aaron is also a passionate chainsaw sculptor, creating lifelike bears, eagles, and owls from cedar and pine. His love of creativity and mentorship mirrors his philosophy in education: with care, vision, and support, every child and every educator can be shaped into something truly remarkable.

As a vital member of the CIEO family, CIS is committed to providing a world-class international education. With Aaron’s leadership and guidance, we look to the future with confidence: our students will grow with greater assurance, our educators will be more empowered, and our community will be more united than ever before.

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Aaron Chavez to CIS and the broader CIEO community. His experience, insight, and heartfelt leadership will undoubtedly help guide us into a bright and purposeful future.