Finding a home at SUIS Qingpu – Mr. Anthony Afton Janoo

Head of High School English Department

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

University of New Hampshire

Master of Education

Concordia University

I want to begin by letting you know a little bit about what you can expect from my class and a little about who I am. You can expect me to come to class each day, prepared and happy to teach. You can expect me to see you as an individual with both strengths and weaknesses and for me to maintain a classroom that is both relaxed and rigorous. You can expect me to challenge both you and myself. I expect you to treat me and all your classmates with courtesy and respect. I expect you to challenge yourself and me.

Developing students’ interest in literature through poetry or music

I was born in Vermont, and I have been in Shanghai for six years. My father was an engineer, and my mother is a writer. My mother has published multiple poems and books. At an early age, she has fostered my curiosity and creativity to learn and experiment in my writing. I went to college at the University of New Hampshire, and I loved the school. Yet, the teachers who made the biggest impression on me were from my high school. My first English teacher and math teacher would make learning fun by using games and interesting group activities in class.

Leading students to participate in the World Scholar’s Cup competition and serving as a judge

What else can I say about myself? I believe that students should be allowed to make mistakes and that they can learn from them. English is the one subject in High School where a student’s opinion is more important than the teacher’s. As far as writing goes, you will have a chance to do a lot of it, as a way to sort out what you have observed from what you think and what you feel. I realize that not everyone shares my enthusiasm for English, and I see my role as being both a mirror and a lens: someone to help you focus your attention on what we explore together.

Using a variety of educational software and apps to energize the class

Above all, I want our classes to be “thoughtful,” in both senses of the word: kind and considerate of others and also full of thoughts. You can expect to have homework every night but usually not on the weekends. Your parents will also be a big help by giving you a place to do your work, free from distractions and electronics. I trust this will be a course you enjoy and one where we will learn and laugh together each day along the way.