TWO meters tall, American educator Brit Brantley often causes many people to turn and smile, particularly when he walks through Shenzhen's non-westernized districts.

Brantley, 47, from Tennessee, is the second-term director of the QSI International School of Shekou (QSI), where his wife Teresa also teaches a class of 6-year-olds.

They are famous for taking a three- to four-hour walk every Saturday and Sunday and they particularly love the adventure of riding the K204 bus as part of their journey.

"We love to ride buses to the end of the line and attempt walking home," said Brantley. "It is not uncommon for school families to see us walking in any district, or along the motorway."

The American couple had no hesitation in moving to Shenzhen in August last year when Brantley was offered the director's position.

"The opportunity to serve an organization with the character and quality that QSI maintains in a location as beautiful and exciting as Shekou was an easy decision," said Brantley.

"We are committed to rigorous education standards delivered in a warm, secure setting - this school and the organization is a perfect match," he added.

Before coming to Shenzhen, Brantley had worked five years as director of a school attached to city museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee; three years as principal and international baccalaureate coordinator for a large and prestigious international school in suburban London and two years as administrator with an international school in Bolivia.

"We were offered other exciting opportunities but specifically selected QSI and Shekou because my wife and I chose QSI as a model for education that we wanted to be part of," Brantley said.

"QSI makes a pledge that all students will master the skills our challenging curriculum presents and all students will be able to perform these skills with authenticity," he said.

"QSI partners well with the global economic direction of Shenzhen, that is, the city needs quality schools for modeling character in order to attract business ventures that enhance the local economy and stimulate the population," he said.

Brantley expects to serve the international community in Shenzhen for many years to come. "It is my hope that our large and successful school community service program will branch out and pursue collaborations to serve children, recreationally or with weekend programs, living with hard working parents in the factories and live in company dormitories in Shenzhen," he said.

Editor: Wing