In January 2020, Master of Arts in Leadership student Tom Williams, along with his wife who was 35 weeks pregnant, were in Wuhan, China as COVID-19 was emerging as a global outbreak.
Canadian media reported that his wife Lauren was due to give birth in Wuhan, China, unless the family can get out.
Williams is the secondary school principal at Wuhan Yangtze International School in Wuhan, China. He had been living and working in China for about five years when the COVID-19 outbreak started. His wife Lauren and their two-year-old son, James, were also living in Wuhan, China.
On January 31, Williams and his family and were evacuated from Wuhan, China by a British Evacuation flight. After the family completed a period of mandatory quarantine, Williams’ second child, Evelyn, was born in Gloucestershire, England.
Williams and his family have recently returned to BC, Canada.
He is due to complete his Master of Arts in Leadership degree at Trinity Western University this fall. He will also be starting a new principal role at Surrey Christian School in September.
TWU reached out to Williams, who provided the following update:
Please tell us about your journey. How is your wife and family doing?
On January 31, my family and I were evacuated from Wuhan, China, on the first British evacuation flight. My wife was 37 weeks pregnant at the time. After completing government quarantine, our second child, Evelyn, was born at Cheltenham hospital on February 24. We were living and working from my parents’ house for the following months until the end of June, when we flew out to Canada, where I will be taking up a principal role at Surrey Christian School this fall.
As the Secondary Principal at Wuhan Yangtze International School, please tell us what the school situation has been like from spring until now.
Like many schools around the globe, WYIS has had to pivot and adapt to an online learning model in a short space of time. One of the unique challenges not always faced by local schools is the time zones involved in international education. We had staff and students scattered all over the globe, so many of the learning opportunities had to be designed in an asynchronous manner. The school is preparing to reopen this fall with a hybrid model of some online learning and also some in person tuition on campus. A lot of these plans have to remain flexible because of the continued and ongoing uncertainty.
How has your preparation through the Master of Arts in Leadership program helped you as you navigate the COVID-19 context in your leadership, family and societal roles?
The Master of Arts in Leadership program at TWU has been a consistent influence on my life through many changing seasons. I started the program in September 2017 when my first son, James, was only two months old. We celebrated his third birthday a few weeks ago, and it's hard to believe my fall semester class will be the last before graduation.
I have really valued being able to study alongside serving in a leadership role. Reflecting on course content and assignments in a very tangible way has enriched the experience immensely.
I often find myself engaging with course content by linking to my own contextual challenges and experiences. This holistic approach provides a much more in-depth learning experience.
Many of the concepts and theories of leadership aren't complicated, but leadership requires the ability to work with people relationally. I think the greatest challenge of COVID-19 has been trying to balance all of these relationships using technology and often impersonal methods. Online video calls are a tool but they will never replace real conversation and community.
How has your faith guided your life during this year?
James 1 has been a passage of great significance this year. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2-4) I have often been struck by the words considered in this passage. It doesn't mean it's going to be easy, or not feel emotional or hard at times. We left Wuhan on January 31 with hand luggage, and we haven't been back. We haven't been able to step foot back into our apartment, or say goodbye to our community or friends. Wrestling with the emotions of that has been difficult this spring. But we know God is good and he works all things for his purposes and will. We are excited to start this new chapter of our lives in the Lower Mainland.
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About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to find and fulfill their purpose in life. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vibrant faith community devoted to supporting godly leaders seeking to have a transformational impact on culture.
See also: Trinity Western University - Overview and Fact Sheet
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