Welcome to the Voice of TIE podcast, a space for stories, insights, and conversations that uplift the profession of teaching and inspire positive change in international schools.
For nearly 40 years, The International Educator has served this community through recruitment resources and a dedication to amplifying the voices of international educators around the world.
Overview
Get ready to dive into an inspiring conversation with educator and innovator Kyle Wagner, as host Stacy Stephens reconnects with her former colleague to explore his newest adventure: launching a Montessori-based middle school program in Hong Kong.
In this episode, Kyle shares his compelling journey from teaching in San Diego to becoming a driving force in student-centered learning at the International School of Beijing, and now to building a groundbreaking program that fuses Montessori philosophy with real-world, project-based learning. Drawing on his experience at High Tech High and the Futures Academy, Kyle paints a vivid picture of what education can look like when students take the lead.
Listeners will hear about the foundational principles of Montessori education, especially as they apply to adolescents. Kyle explains the exciting vision behind a fully integrated, bilingual, interdisciplinary middle school program, and how student-run businesses and thematic learning units like “The Future of Food” and “The Future of Fashion” are designed to build agency and real-world skills. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with building a new program from the ground up in the bustling context of Hong Kong.
Whether you're an educator, a parent, or simply curious about innovative education models, this episode offers a rich, behind-the-scenes look at how transformative learning environments are created, and why they matter now more than ever.
Tune in and be inspired by Kyle’s passion, insight, and unwavering belief that students thrive when given autonomy, purpose, and a supportive environment.
Kyle Wagner is a seasoned [co] learning experience designer who empowers forward thinking schools to create more socially, emotionally, and globally aware citizens through authentic project-based experiences.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwagssd3/
The Student Centered Shift Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6REnIniktdqNDe31tAYjyH?si=6d29692fa3894b38 Website With Free Resources: http://www.transformschool.com
Book: Where is the Teacher
International Montessori School of Hong Kong Website: https://www.ims.edu.hk/en
Stacy Stephens is the Director of TIE.
