Panthers of ISKL #339: Francis Maginn - The Holistic Educator Panther
It was clear in my interviews that ISKL truly cares about teaching the whole child, making sure that all students are supported academically, socially, and emotionally. This felt like a perfect fit for my approach to teaching and for what we want for our children, so it was an easy choice to make in the end.
Meet Francis Maginn, an avid musician, linguist, and educator who joined ISKL in 2025 as our High School Science and Theory of Knowledge Teacher. Originating from Austin, Texas, his teaching journey has led him through China, Taiwan, and Bangladesh before arriving in Malaysia. He adopts a holistic approach to teaching students and believes in the importance of ISKL’s inclusive support of students academically, socially, and emotionally.
Here is Francis’s story
Please tell us more about yourself
I was born and raised in Austin, Texas. I went to a private Catholic school from Kindergarten to Grade 8, then moved to a public high school near downtown Austin in Grade 9. I completed my B.A. in Physics and Asian studies at St. Olaf College, a small liberal arts school in southern Minnesota. At St. Olaf College, I was an active member of the music scene, playing tenor and bass trombone for the St. Olaf Band for three years and playing trombone and bass in various student-led groups. In my time at St. Olaf, I also studied Mandarin. In the summer of 2011, I taught Mandarin as a camp counselor at Concordia Language Villages. This was my first real experience teaching, and I fell in love with it.
After graduating in 2012, I moved to Shanghai, China, to teach conversational English to postdoc students at East China Normal University. I spent a year in Shanghai, then moved to Taiwan and taught at different schools on the island, eventually completing my M.Ed. in secondary physics education at The College of New Jersey.
I left Taiwan in 2021 to teach secondary school science at the American International School Dhaka in Bangladesh, where my wife and I spent four years and had our first child.
When and why did you join ISKL?
I joined ISKL in 2025. As I applied to and interviewed at schools last year, ISKL stood out for its dedication to inclusion and holistic education. It was clear in my interviews that ISKL truly cares about teaching the whole child, making sure that all students are supported academically, socially, and emotionally. This felt like a perfect fit for my approach to teaching and for what we want for our children, so it was an easy choice to make in the end.
Can you tell us more about your High School Science Faculty position? What are your daily activities?
I teach Grade 10 Integrated Science and Grade 11 IB Physics HL. My responsibilities fluctuate each day between preparing for class, marking student work, and teaching classes.
What is your overall vision for the upcoming term in your subject area?
I want to challenge students’ misconceptions in science through experimentation, observation, and discussion. Students achieve lasting understanding when they take ownership of their learning. Instead of putting myself in the center of the classroom, this is best done when I am a guide and facilitator for their learning, encouraging students to explain their thinking with evidence and to learn by doing.
What is the most enjoyable and most challenging part of your job?
Interacting with students has always been the highlight of my job. Both hearing students engage authentically with problems in science class and talk about their favorite movies and video games consistently remind me how lucky I am to be in this profession.
It has always been a challenge for me to find a balance between my personal life and my life as a teacher. I am passionate about my role as a teacher, and I care deeply about my students’ success, so it is often difficult to ensure I have time for myself and my family. I find it hard not to respond to student messages and emails outside of school hours.
Can you tell us more about your hobbies and interests? What do you do after work?
I love reading, especially fantasy series. I just finished Brandon Sanderson’s most recent book, Wind and Truth, and I am currently in the middle of R.F. Kuang’s The Dragon Dynasty. I highly recommend both!
I am also a musician; I have played trombone in jazz, funk, and folk groups in the U.S., Taiwan, and Bangladesh. Recently, I played in a song for Coke Studio Bangla called Café. I am still looking for people to play with here in KL!
I also spend much of my time gaming. My favorite game that I have played recently is Hollow Knight: Silksong. I love the mix of exploration, combat, and story threads to tease out as you play more. I also do my best to support independent game studios as much as possible; Silksong was created by a team of only three developers!
Who or what inspires you?
My wife is consistently an inspiration for me as an educator. I have learned so much from her; she has made me a more patient and empathetic teacher and person.
What is your best memory so far working at ISKL?
Taking my two-year-old son to watch the High School production of Mamma Mia! The musical was a wonderful memory. It was so captivating; he sat and watched almost the entire show!
What Panther superlative best describes you, and how does it show your Panther spirit?
I’m the Most Onz Panther (Onz means nothing is impossible) because many of my students start physics with me, thinking it is impossible to learn and improve. They realize that this is definitely not the case pretty quickly!
Tell us why ISKL is special to you and what you like most about the school
I Suka (Like) ISKL because of how inclusive a community it is. ISKL is intentional in welcoming people of all backgrounds and beliefs, and this is a community I am ecstatic to be a part of.
What does “Know yourself, care for all, and create a better world” mean to you?
This reminds me of putting on your oxygen mask before helping others put on their masks. In order to care for others and make the world a better place, you first need to understand your place in your local and global communities. Being self-aware allows you to better interrogate inequalities in your communities in order to break down unequal social structures to better serve all community members.
Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff member who always has an anecdote to tell, loves to share some insights into their passions and interests, or simply is a Panther through and through? Nominate them to be featured in our Panthers of ISKL stories by sending in your submissions here