TIE’s blog space is dedicated to sharing stories, expertise, and experiences from international educators around the world. In the spirit of amplifying diverse voices, TIE's blog space is not subject to editorial oversight. TIE bloggers have a long history in various aspects of international education and share their thoughts and insights based on personal experiences.
The International Educator (TIE) is excited to welcome Lianne Dominguez as the newest contributor to our blog space. Lianne brings a thoughtful, dynamic perspective shaped by her experiences in international education, and we’re thrilled to share her voice with our global community.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Lianne Dominguez — a Filipino educator, leader, mother, and former Muay Thai athlete with a deep belief in the power of human-centered schools. I currently serve as Deputy Head of Senior School and Whole School Safeguarding Lead at Haileybury Astana in Kazakhstan. My career in education has been anything but linear — I’ve been a teacher, dorm parent, university counselor, residential life director, admissions director and upper school principal. Each of these roles has shaped how I lead: with intention, clarity, and care.
As a woman of color in international education, I deeply value spaces where diverse voices are heard — where both students and adults feel they belong. My identity as a Filipino informs how I understand community, resilience, and leadership. It’s also why I continue to advocate for inclusive systems, culturally responsive practice, and leadership models that reflect both strength and empathy.
I’m passionate about building the kinds of structures that allow people — especially students and teachers — to thrive. Whether it’s designing professional standards, developing student leadership frameworks, crafting strategic plans, or reimagining student experiences, I’m always working to bring coherence between what we say we value and what we actually do in schools. I’m also deeply involved in accreditation work, serving on visiting teams where I get to collaborate with schools around the world to examine learning impact, align practice with purpose, and celebrate growth. It’s work I truly love — purposeful, reflective, and deeply connected to what matters. In addition, I facilitate at the Principals Training Center (PTC) and Counselors Training Center (CTC), supporting fellow leaders in building schools that are mission-aligned, people-centered, and grounded in best practice.
At the heart of my work is a simple belief: schools should be places where people feel safe to learn, lead, and grow into the best version of themselves.
What drew you to international teaching?
I didn’t grow up moving countries, but I did attend nine different schools — crossing cultural, social, and personal borders each time I started over in a new community. It made me aware of how powerful a sense of belonging can be, and how vital it is for someone to feel seen. International schools offer a beautiful mix of complexity and possibility. They are full of students forming identities between worlds, and educators trying to do more than just teach. I was drawn to this space because I wanted to help shape schools that hold space for all of that — where who you are matters as much as what you do.
Why are you excited to write for TIE?
TIE’s blog space represents something valuable in international education — a platform grounded in trust, purpose, and the power of storytelling. I’m especially drawn to its mission of amplifying diverse voices and honoring the lived experiences of educators around the world. In a field where so much of what we do is shaped by policy, protocol, and performance metrics, it’s refreshing — and necessary — to have a space where we can speak honestly, reflect deeply, and learn from one another’s journeys.
Writing for TIE feels like stepping into a global staff room where strategy meets soul. It’s a chance to connect with educators who care deeply about purpose-driven work — not just in theory, but in practice. I’m excited to contribute my voice to this space, to share reflections that are rooted in care, challenge, and curiosity — and to be part of a community that is committed to making international education more human, more inclusive, and more grounded.
What can readers expect from your blog posts? What conversations or ideas are you hoping to explore?
You can expect posts that blend research with real talk — sitting at the intersection of leadership, school culture, and wellbeing. I’ll explore what it means to lead with empathy, navigate change, and build systems that serve people, not just processes. There will be stories from the field, lessons from start-up schools, and reflections from the hallway — always written with humility, humor, and a hope that it connects with your own journey.
I’m especially passionate about leadership at all levels, student voice, and staff wellbeing. I also advocate for meaningful standards of practice for teachers, leaders, and students — as a human-centered way to grow agency, reflection, and shared responsibility in schools.
You’ll also find themes around reimagining education and creatively disrupting “the way we’ve always done it.” I’m curious about how we design schools that are fit for the future — spaces that are equitable, empowering, and emotionally intelligent. While I’m drawn to bold ideas and reflective disruption, I also believe in celebrating the great practices we already have in our schools — the often-unseen things that are quietly changing lives. Alongside that, I hope to share some of the more niche ideas I’ve encountered in visiting schools — those small, thoughtful innovations that spark curiosity, agency, or joy. Whether it’s a tiny shift or a sweeping rethink, I hope my posts invite readers into a more reflective, courageous conversation about what school can be.
