UWC teacher writes a book, bringing learning beyond the Maastricht classroom
April 7, 2026
At UWC Maastricht, learning does not stop at the classroom door. That applies as much to our students as it does to our staff. Humanities teacher Chiel Mooij has written a new study book for the International Baccalaureate and from the next academic year, students around the world will be using his ‘IB DP History: Popular Movements Course Book’.
When Chiel first heard about United World Colleges during his studies, it immediately stood out. A school with students from over 100 nationalities was the complete opposite of his own school experience, where most people shared a similar background. Curious about what this kind of education looked like in practice, he decided to apply for an internship at UWC Atlantic College in Wales. That decision shaped the direction of his career.
“What struck me right away,” Chiel explains, “was the energy of the students. They are critical, they challenge you, but they also give a lot back. That creates a very different kind of classroom.”
After his internship, he stayed on as a teacher. Over the years, one theme kept returning in his work: social movements. How do they emerge, what makes them effective and how can people use knowledge and connections to drive change? That question became the foundation of his recently written book: IB DP History: Popular Movements Course Book.
Learning from movements that shaped the world
The book is written for the International Baccalaureate History curriculum and explores social movements across different contexts. From Gandhi’s role in India’s independence movement, to the struggles of indigenous communities in Canada, to democratic movements in Egypt. But this is not just a textbook built on theory. It is shaped by years of teaching and learning alongside students!
“I’ve continuously taken input from students,” Chiel says. “Their questions, their perspectives, the discussions we’ve had in class… That has all influenced how the book is structured and what it focuses on.”
This reflects a key aspect of learning at UWC Maastricht: education is not one-directional. It is a shared process, where students actively shape the way knowledge is explored.
Extending the UWC mission beyond the classroom
For Chiel, publishing this book is about more than contributing to a curriculum. It is about extending the impact of UWC education beyond a single school.
The book will be used by IB students worldwide, across both the Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme. Potentially, tens of thousands of students will engage with these ideas. “I hope students don’t feel like they have to start from scratch,” he explains. “History offers so many examples of people creating change. If you understand those, you can build onthem instead of reinventing the wheel. And this idea connects directly to the origins of UWC itself: the movement was founded on the belief that education can be a force for peace and a more sustainable future. In many ways, UWC is a social movement in its own right!”
What this says about teaching at UWC Maastricht?
Chiel’s story is not an exception. It reflects a broader culture within UWC Maastricht, where staff are not only educators, but also learners and contributors to global conversations. They bring their own interests into the classroom, connect them to real-world questions and invite students to think critically about the role they can play in society.
For students, this means learning is not confined to exams or textbooks. It becomes something they actively engage with and carry forward. And sometimes, as in Chiel’s case, it leads to something that reaches far beyond the classroom walls!
