Douglas Weir ’14
Currently works as a principal in Shanghai, China
A recent alum, Douglas Weir ’14 is already immersed in an environment that many lifelong career professionals never have the opportunity to experience.
Weir was recently promoted from assistant principal to principal at St. Paul American School’s STEM Program in Shanghai, China. “My minor in secondary education, as well as the mentorship of professors such as Dave Powell and Kaoru Miyazawa, helped me to feel confident in the classroom, secure my pedagogical philosophy, and eventually feel capable enough to pursue a leadership role in school administration,” he said.
In addition to this administrative role, Weir serves as the lead social studies teacher, specializing in both United States and World history. “The most rewarding part of my career is working so closely with students from all over the world,” Weir said. “The diversity of their skills, goals, and learning styles makes my job so interesting every day.”
Weir frequently travels to places such as Seoul, South Korea, Beijing, China, and the Philippines to meet with other school leaders. His students come from countries such as Korea, China, Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, the United States, Botswana, and the Philippines—and Weir is exposed to cultural diversity each day. He credits his passion for global learning and his ability to navigate cultural nuances to Gettysburg’s renowned study abroad experience.
“The way the College made studying abroad so painless and useful definitely aided in my decision to work abroad,” he said. “Without such an experience, I would have never been able to find the courage to move somewhere halfway around the world for my career.”
