Chemistry teacher Garrett Lim was appointed as the new International Baccalaureate (IB) coordinator and will take over current IB coordinator Manette Idris’s role of 14 years once the 2025-2026 school year ends.
Lim will serve as the third IB coordinator in Walnut’s history, aiming to increase interest in the program, improve accessibility and student support and build outreach through social media and communication.
“[Along with] increasing the interest in [the program], I want to make sure that students feel comfortable coming up to me to make sure that they’re on track. [For example], if they need any advice on what [classes] to take, I want to be available for that, and also to have integration with the whole of the school,” Lim said. “One of the ways [IB has been improving] is through an increased social media presence, and also more communication with parents and students outside of school. I’m thinking of ways to let people know outside of a Google Classroom, important deadlines and what’s going on in the program.”
Lim was surprised, but delighted with the news of his new position. Ever since becoming a teacher at Walnut, he has long valued the program. Specifically, he appreciates its unique course offerings and role in helping students become more well-rounded, community-engaged and prepared for college.
“It is a rigorous program, and I don’t think everyone is made to take it, but I tell everybody, ‘If you’re able to handle that, you should do it,’ because you are supposed to do things that you wouldn’t normally do if you weren’t in the program,” Lim said. “It is a lot of work, though, and I see a trend of trying to make the work more meaningful and less busy, so hopefully, I can help foster that. We are also trying to increase the paths you can take to earn your diploma. For example, we are starting Theater SL next year, and I think it’s going to be interesting how that works because we did have a theater [component] when I started teaching here, and it was really cool to see students write plays and perform them in front of people.”
In October, several staff members interested in the position applied and went through an interview process. Interviewees were asked a variety of questions regarding their thoughts and ideas for the IB program. Administration and deans made their decision and informed Lim of the news in person.
Since then, Idris has been working closely alongside Lim, regularly meeting with him to explain and demonstrate the tasks she regularly does as an IB coordinator. She has guided him by creating lists of deadlines for each month and taught him how to use the IB information system. In addition to training, Lim has observed Idris for various activities, such as the IB presentation to sophomore English 2 Honors students and Showcase Night, opening all opportunities possible for him to see the communication involved as an IB coordinator. Having known him since he was her student, Idris is confident in what he will achieve with the position.
“One of the things that I think will make him do a great job is that he’s very good about getting things done on time, from my experience working with him as an IB teacher. He is also well respected and has a really good relationship with students and staff, which will be really helpful when he is supporting them as IB students and teachers,” Idris said. “I’m really excited about him being the next IB coordinator, and I’m excited to see the next chapter of how IB continues to go under his leadership. I think he’s going to do great.”
Current IB Diploma Programme student senior Kaitlynn Tran has also observed Lim’s dedication to his new position, having worked alongside him at the IB table during Showcase Night, and finds his initiatives promising.
“I think he is a great choice for the new IB coordinator because he’s very invested in his work and very committed to taking on the [new position] very well. During Showcase Night, he was always asking clarification questions and I even helped him out a little. He seemed to take everything really to heart,” Tran said. “Recently, he’s been getting more involved with our social media because he wants to put IB out there, so I think that he’s going to be able to bring more light onto what the program is and what we do.”
Despite training, the wide range of responsibilities that come with being an IB coordinator are still new to Lim as he adapts, but he is excited for the transition.
“I am nervous about all the big logistics and all the different parts of IB. Idris has done a great job of showing me what they are, but I’m still just nervous about that,” Lim said. “I’m nervous about that transition, but I’m also excited to usher into the next era of IB here and see what I can add to it. Idris has done a great job, and I want to add more value to what she’s done.”
