I worked with Brad Helgason from 2015-2017 at Dalian Maple Leaf International. Brad was the Principal of the campus at the time. He is an exemplary educator and leader. From the moment I joined the Maple Leaf team, Brad always made me and the other staff members feel respected, motivated, and part of a community. Brad was a leading example at the school. Dalian Maple Leaf prides itself in the numerous extra curricular activities our students are involved in. Brad was always in attendance at events during lunch, afterschool and even on weekends. From speech competitions, watermelon-eating contests, to ping pong tournaments, Brad’s enthusiastic nature always created a fun and positive environment. The students were always excited to see Mr. Helgason out at events and around the school. All staff members of the Maple Leaf community respect him. He is a true professional who works far beyond the call of duty. Brad’s door was always open for teachers and students to visit if they had problems. When an amazing opportunity for my students came up to go to a Harvard Education project in Shanghai, Brad was able to help me organize and make the trip possible on very short notice. Overall, Brad is a leader and educator who inspires the best in those around him. His strong knowledge of ELL support in the classroom brought great educational insight to our team. He supports his staff to take risks and always encourages innovation in the classroom. He is a dedicated professional and a pleasure to work with.

I worked with Brad Helgason as his subordinate during my three years at Dalian Maple Leaf International School. There was never a time during my three years, have I ever seen him frustrated or defensive despite the constant demands of his administrative position. His strong Chinese language skills thrusted him into the spotlight as a spokesperson for the entire school and mediator between the Canadian and Chinese administration teams. His contributions during my first year was well beyond the expectations of an Office Registrar. During my third year Brad was promoted to the position of Deputy Principal. He always made himself present during school events. I fondly remember his participation in an intramural Dodgeball tournament, Brad took time out of his day during lunch break to interact with both the staff and students. The positive and overwhelming response he received from the students displayed how much respect he had with the school population. Mr. Helgason was actively involved on staff sport teams acting as a mentor, translator and leader. His positive nature and generous spirit never waned during exhausting road trips through China that sometimes dragged on until the next working day. As the Deputy Principle he displayed a great deal of patience and tact in his ability to deal with all types of staff demands and new projects such as when the school switched to a new attendance system, incorporated Moodle onto the school intranet and established several new courses such as music and food nutrition, among several other things. Brad's possesses a positive and encouraging leadership style that enabled his staff to thrive. His greatest asset was his ability to make you feel like you mattered. Adaptability was his strength as he straddled two very different cultures and their expectations. The passion for his job is evident, as one of the longest serving staff members at the school he is still one of most enthusiastic. My experience as an international teacher has been positive and productive under Brad. His work ethic, dedication and skill set naturally led to his promotion to Principal of Dalian Maple Leaf High School after my final year. I have come to respect Brad as an effective administrator who successfully balances the demands of the job without sacrificing the relationships with his staff. If there are any questions about my recommendation of Brad Helgason please feel free to contact me for information. With Regards, Ivan Chew

I worked with Brad Helgason from 2015-2017 at Dalian Maple Leaf International. Brad was the Principal of the campus at the time. He is an exemplary educator and leader. From the moment I joined the Maple Leaf team, Brad always made me and the other staff members feel respected, motivated, and part of a community. Brad was a leading example at the school. Dalian Maple Leaf prides itself in the numerous extra curricular activities our students are involved in. Brad was always in attendance at events during lunch, afterschool and even on weekends. From speech competitions, watermelon-eating contests, to ping pong tournaments, Brad’s enthusiastic nature always created a fun and positive environment. The students were always excited to see Mr. Helgason out at events and around the school. All staff members of the Maple Leaf community respect him. He is a true professional who works far beyond the call of duty. Brad’s door was always open for teachers and students to visit if they had problems. When an amazing opportunity for my students came up to go to a Harvard Education project in Shanghai, Brad was able to help me organize and make the trip possible on very short notice. Overall, Brad is a leader and educator who inspires the best in those around him. His strong knowledge of ELL support in the classroom brought great educational insight to our team. He supports his staff to take risks and always encourages innovation in the classroom. He is a dedicated professional and a pleasure to work with.

I worked with Brad Helgason as his subordinate during my three years at Dalian Maple Leaf International School. There was never a time during my three years, have I ever seen him frustrated or defensive despite the constant demands of his administrative position. His strong Chinese language skills thrusted him into the spotlight as a spokesperson for the entire school and mediator between the Canadian and Chinese administration teams. His contributions during my first year was well beyond the expectations of an Office Registrar. During my third year Brad was promoted to the position of Deputy Principal. He always made himself present during school events. I fondly remember his participation in an intramural Dodgeball tournament, Brad took time out of his day during lunch break to interact with both the staff and students. The positive and overwhelming response he received from the students displayed how much respect he had with the school population. Mr. Helgason was actively involved on staff sport teams acting as a mentor, translator and leader. His positive nature and generous spirit never waned during exhausting road trips through China that sometimes dragged on until the next working day. As the Deputy Principle he displayed a great deal of patience and tact in his ability to deal with all types of staff demands and new projects such as when the school switched to a new attendance system, incorporated Moodle onto the school intranet and established several new courses such as music and food nutrition, among several other things. Brad's possesses a positive and encouraging leadership style that enabled his staff to thrive. His greatest asset was his ability to make you feel like you mattered. Adaptability was his strength as he straddled two very different cultures and their expectations. The passion for his job is evident, as one of the longest serving staff members at the school he is still one of most enthusiastic. My experience as an international teacher has been positive and productive under Brad. His work ethic, dedication and skill set naturally led to his promotion to Principal of Dalian Maple Leaf High School after my final year. I have come to respect Brad as an effective administrator who successfully balances the demands of the job without sacrificing the relationships with his staff. If there are any questions about my recommendation of Brad Helgason please feel free to contact me for information. With Regards, Ivan Chew

I worked with Brad Helgason from 2015-2017 at Dalian Maple Leaf International. Brad was the Principal of the campus at the time. He is an exemplary educator and leader. From the moment I joined the Maple Leaf team, Brad always made me and the other staff members feel respected, motivated, and part of a community. Brad was a leading example at the school. Dalian Maple Leaf prides itself in the numerous extra curricular activities our students are involved in. Brad was always in attendance at events during lunch, afterschool and even on weekends. From speech competitions, watermelon-eating contests, to ping pong tournaments, Brad’s enthusiastic nature always created a fun and positive environment. The students were always excited to see Mr. Helgason out at events and around the school. All staff members of the Maple Leaf community respect him. He is a true professional who works far beyond the call of duty. Brad’s door was always open for teachers and students to visit if they had problems. When an amazing opportunity for my students came up to go to a Harvard Education project in Shanghai, Brad was able to help me organize and make the trip possible on very short notice. Overall, Brad is a leader and educator who inspires the best in those around him. His strong knowledge of ELL support in the classroom brought great educational insight to our team. He supports his staff to take risks and always encourages innovation in the classroom. He is a dedicated professional and a pleasure to work with.

I worked with Brad Helgason as his subordinate during my three years at Dalian Maple Leaf International School. There was never a time during my three years, have I ever seen him frustrated or defensive despite the constant demands of his administrative position. His strong Chinese language skills thrusted him into the spotlight as a spokesperson for the entire school and mediator between the Canadian and Chinese administration teams. His contributions during my first year was well beyond the expectations of an Office Registrar. During my third year Brad was promoted to the position of Deputy Principal. He always made himself present during school events. I fondly remember his participation in an intramural Dodgeball tournament, Brad took time out of his day during lunch break to interact with both the staff and students. The positive and overwhelming response he received from the students displayed how much respect he had with the school population. Mr. Helgason was actively involved on staff sport teams acting as a mentor, translator and leader. His positive nature and generous spirit never waned during exhausting road trips through China that sometimes dragged on until the next working day. As the Deputy Principle he displayed a great deal of patience and tact in his ability to deal with all types of staff demands and new projects such as when the school switched to a new attendance system, incorporated Moodle onto the school intranet and established several new courses such as music and food nutrition, among several other things. Brad's possesses a positive and encouraging leadership style that enabled his staff to thrive. His greatest asset was his ability to make you feel like you mattered. Adaptability was his strength as he straddled two very different cultures and their expectations. The passion for his job is evident, as one of the longest serving staff members at the school he is still one of most enthusiastic. My experience as an international teacher has been positive and productive under Brad. His work ethic, dedication and skill set naturally led to his promotion to Principal of Dalian Maple Leaf High School after my final year. I have come to respect Brad as an effective administrator who successfully balances the demands of the job without sacrificing the relationships with his staff. If there are any questions about my recommendation of Brad Helgason please feel free to contact me for information. With Regards, Ivan Chew