In this month’s teacher series, we are spotlighting Mr Matt McEwan, Head of PE, who is teaching in his fifth year at YCIS Beijing. Originally from a small town called Perth in Scotland, now he enjoys the daily adventure of living and teaching in a big city that is ever-changing.

Mr Matt McEwan studied Sports Science, Professional Education and Physical Education at Stirling University. Following his Honors degree, he taught at different schools in Scotland for several years. Inspired and motivated by his Primary and Secondary PE teachers, he never had a doubt about his own career choice. Mr McEwan shares that, “During PE lessons I found most success and was able to be himself. Being a teacher was the only career path I had planned.”

When the opportunity to teach at YCIS Beijing opened in 2017, it was an adventure into the unknown for Mr McEwan, but already through the interviewing stages, he could feel the positive school ethos that made moving to China impossible to resist for him. He values being around globally minded individuals, both students and colleagues, and that international living and teaching provides plentiful learning experiences.

Mr McEwan is currently teaching IGCSE PE and IB Sports Exercise and Health as well as PE in Years 7 to 11. He has a true passion for coaching and working individually with his students. Mr McEwan ceaselessly instills an excitement for sports in his students and encourages them to be involved. “PE should be the best part of everyone’s day, and you should be able to see yourself develop and grow,” states Mr McEwan. Furthermore, he supports his students in developing and utilising certain athletic skills by changing rules, equipment or creating new games.

In his opinion, sports and physical activity offer countless positives. “Apart from teaching us how to stay fit and healthy, both physically and mentally, they allow us to make friends, work as a part of a team, and teach us to set goals and persevere to accomplish our aims,” he explains. As a coach, seeing the growth and resilience of the student athletes during difficult seasons is always a fantastic reward for him. Mr. McEwan recalls that the 2nd place ACAMIS finish this year for the U19 girls’ volleyball team was an unforgettable moment of success.

It almost goes without saying that outside of school, sports and games also play a big part in Mr McEwan’s life. As a student, Mr McEwan was an enthusiastic gymnast competing on a national level, now he enjoys playing volleyball, badminton, and table tennis. He is also an active team member within the Beijing Flag Football League and plays soccer as part of our school’s staff team.

A true sportsman, Mr Matt McEwan not only displays a positive attitude when it comes to sports, but he also brings positivity into everything he does which makes him a very popular asset to our school, both in the classroom and on the field.