Opportunity
for every student
Competitive athletics, recreation, robotics, and leadership should offer meaningful challenge and confidence. I listen for barriers and adapt programs to student needs.
International school athletics · CMAA
9Years leading
international athletics
international athletics
60+MS/HS teams
managed at SJA Jeju
managed at SJA Jeju
32%Athletics participation
increase at SJA Jeju
increase at SJA Jeju
90+Students in the
SJA sports council
SJA sports council
01 The approach
High expectations.
Room to grow.
Athletics and activities are experiential classrooms. My role is to create the opportunities, relationships, and conditions that help students learn, belong, and contribute—with supported coaches and dependable, safe systems behind them.
Opportunity
Relationships.
Shared purpose.
I build trust through open communication and clear expectations with students, families, coaches, and colleagues. Safeguarding and fairness belong in daily practice.
Student voice.
Real ownership.
Leadership develops through decisions, commitments, and reflection. I set high expectations, provide guidance, and give students room to take ownership, make mistakes, and grow.
Relationships come first
Present.
On and off the field.
I lead by listening, building trust, and setting clear expectations. Families are partners, coaches are supported, and students have room to take ownership and grow.
Michael Sawczynec · Athletics leadership02 Leadership & education
The purpose
behind the work.
Participation. Belonging. Learning. Personal growth. The measures of success that sit alongside results.
Read my full philosophy“I want every student to have a place to belong, a purpose to pursue, and opportunities to contribute.”
03 Career chapters
Across borders.
Shared purpose.
School and conference leadership across South Korea and Taiwan, connecting athletics, activities, boarding, and mathematics education with student growth, safeguarding, and trusted relationships.
2022—2026
Athletic and After-School Activities Director & Physical Education Department Head
St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju · South Korea
Led athletics, activities, and PK–12 physical education for a school of approximately 1,185 students, managing 60+ MS/HS teams and 450+ annual co-curricular activities.
2022—2026
President
Korean International Schools Athletic Conference (KISAC) · South Korea
Led a regional athletic conference representing international schools across Korea, expanding membership and standardizing safe, equitable competition.
2020—2022
Associate Dean of Boarding
Korea International School Jeju · South Korea
Supported a boarding community of approximately 150 students in grades 6–12, supervised 24 staff, and developed activities and student leadership.
2014—2020
Athletic Director & Mathematics Teacher
Ivy Collegiate Academy · Taichung, Taiwan
Taught mathematics from 2014–2020 and served as Athletic Director from 2015–2020 at a boarding school of approximately 240 students in grades 7–12.
CMAA Featured project · May 22, 2026
St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju · South Korea
Student voice.
Lasting culture.
Sports Council: Building Leadership, Culture, and Community Through Athletics
My CMAA project documents the development of the Hilltopper Sports Council at St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju: a student-led organization connecting athletic event operations, school spirit, and sustainable leadership.
This is my philosophy in practice: students make decisions, follow through on commitments, reflect on outcomes, and learn to lead. Clear expectations and mentorship give them room to take ownership and grow.
Read the project case study- Council members · 2022–23 to 2025–26
- 60 → 90
- Athletics Instagram followers
- 1,400+
- Spectators at Friday night events
- 200+
Resources Speaking & professional learning
Ideas shared.
Leadership in practice.
Explore my Sports Council presentation and a podcast conversation from my work in international school athletics.
I3AC conference · Bangkok · May 2025
Creating and Running a Successful Sports (Athletic) Council
A practical session on building a student-led council that connects athletes, coaches, and school leadership. The slides draw on St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju’s program, from identifying student needs to organizing committees and planning for continuity.
- Student voice, inclusion, and school spirit
- Committee roles, event support, and a council constitution
- Leadership succession, reflection, and real-world scenarios
Educational AD Podcast · Guest conversation
Michael Sawczynec, CAA of St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju
Hear my featured conversation on the Educational AD Podcast, highlighting my work in international school athletics at St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju.
Listen on SpotifyCommunity Communications & community engagement
Communications &
Community Engagement.
Athletics communication does more than share a schedule. It brings families into the program, celebrates students, recognizes teachers, and gives the wider community a reason to connect.
These examples show event invitations, game-day information, and student recognition alongside a sample session from my Captains Clinic.
All images and names in this communications gallery have been AI-generated from the original photographs. These are edited portfolio examples, not unaltered photographs. Event dates are historical examples, not upcoming announcements.
View full-size graphic Athletic banquet invitation
An end-of-season event announcement inviting the school community to celebrate student-athletes.
View full-size graphic Fall sports parent meeting
A family-facing announcement sharing the meeting date and location ahead of the fall sports season.
Student leadership · A sample clinic session
Captains Clinic · Week 1 · 9 slides
Exploring leadership.
A session for team captains on the rewards, risks, and responsibilities of leadership. Discussion, practical team roles, and an exit reflection help students consider how they lead by example and how they use their voice to support others.
The Captains Clinic slides are a separate resource. Student faces remain permanently covered rather than AI-generated.
Read the session outline
- Exploring leadership
Introduce the rewards, risks, and responsibilities of leadership.
- Why captains are here
Recognize captains as team leaders and support their growth as athletes, students, and people.
- Defining leadership
Consider leadership through influence, trust, self-knowledge, and a shared vision.
- Group activity
Discuss effective leaders, their characteristics, and how it feels to work with them.
- Rewards and risks
Explore helping others and influencing team success alongside conflict, scrutiny, and fragile trust.
- Team responsibilities
Discuss setting the tone, supporting teammates, communicating with coaches, and handling minor conflicts.
- Leading by example
Focus on commitment, confidence, composure, and character.
- Vocal leadership
Explore encouragement, service, confidence-building, refocusing, team-building, and accountability.
- Exit reflection
Identify leadership strengths, areas for improvement, and practical next steps.
Education & credentials
Grounded in education.
Built for leadership.
MS in Athletic Administration · Ohio University
BASc in Mathematics Education, Coaching minor · University of Minnesota Duluth
Michael Sawczynec, CMAACertified Master & Certified International Athletic Administrator
View certifications, professional learning & NIAAA transcript Let’s connect
Create opportunities.
Build belonging.
Connect with me about programs students feel proud to join, adults feel supported to lead, and families trust—from athletics and activities to student leadership and professional learning.
sawcz002@gmail.com +1 (715) 400 8001