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In this episode of Lead Her Higher, host Emily MacLean sits down with internationally recognized education leader Bambi Betts, Director of the Principals' Training Center (PTC), to explore what it truly means to lead for learning in complex global school systems.
Bambi reflects on her unconventional leadership journey - one that emerged not from a planned career path, but from a deep commitment to service, noticing problems, and stepping in when students needed better. She shares candid insights from decades of work supporting school leaders around the world and challenges many of the assumptions that continue to shape leadership in international education.
Together, Emily and Bambi explore the realities of instructional leadership at scale, including why many schools still struggle to align with the science of learning, how professional standards define strong teaching, and why systems, not isolated efforts, are what ultimately drive improvement. Bambi also unpacks the often misunderstood distinction between personal and professional relationships in schools, and why this matters deeply for leadership effectiveness. Bambi offers a powerful reminder that leadership is not about popularity or position, it is about making decisions grounded in impact on student learning. This episode is a masterclass in systems thinking, instructional coherence, and courageous leadership in education.
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Emily MacLean is the Head of junior school at Branksome Hall in Toronto and the host of the Lead Her Higher podcast, where she highlights the journeys of women shaping education globally. With experience across multiple countries and school systems, Emily is passionate about building positive, inclusive school cultures and nurturing young learners to reach their full potential. With oversight of Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6, she drives student-focused learning built on social-emotional growth, innovation, and future-forward skills. Through her leadership and storytelling, she aims to inspire both educators and students to lead with empathy, courage, and purpose, while championing the voices of women in leadership.
Bambi Betts is the Director and course developer of the Principals’ Training Center for International School Leadership (PTC) and founder of additional training centers for international teachers, teacher leaders, counselors, and governance members. She has served as Director, Principal, teacher, and governing board member in international schools for over 30 years and has been a consultant in over 150 international schools, conducting professional development sessions on a wide range of topics related to the effective international school, including assessment, curriculum leadership, teacher leader strategies, instructional strategies, faculty evaluation, and governance. Bambi also serves on the governing board of two international schools in Haiti and Cambodia, is a founding member of the Academy for International School Heads (AISH), and serves as the president of the Overseas Schools Assistance Corp. (OSAC) non-profit which offers online news and recruitment services to international schools through TIE.
