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By Monica Bennett
18-Jan-23
Teachers can learn a lot by watching other great teachers in the building, observing strengths and embracing new ideas and opportunities for growth… ..more
By Kristen Dickhaut
18-Jan-23
If you build up the people, the programs will be successful… ..more
By Kim Cofino
18-Jan-23
It’s not actually a lack of qualifications or confidence that holds women back from leadership. Let’s tackle the mindset challenges and concrete advice... ..more
By Shwetangna Chakrabarty
18-Jan-23
For college counselors, it is the time of the year to reflect on the successes and channel students to overcome challenges… ..more
By Dr. Megel R. Barker
18-Jan-23
School leaders are compelled to reflect on future-facing strategies to embrace AI in their schools and provide a sustainable platform to reap the benefits… ..more
By Diana Rosberg
07-Dec-22
Applicants want to know how far their salary will go and how much they can save. Schools can easily provide high-quality, high-utility information… ..more
By Stephen Dexter Jr.
07-Dec-22
For reasons that are complicated, we are uncomfortable with leveraging the opportunity that a once in a generation global catastrophe has gifted us... ..more
+ 2022
By Diana Rosberg
07-Dec-22
Applicants want to know how far their salary will go and how much they can save. Schools can easily provide high-quality, high-utility information… ..more
By Kenya J. Washington
23-Nov-22
Inclusion in your hiring practices can only yield buy-in, stronger morale, and shared accountability in how a new member is supported once hired… ..more
By Monica Bennett
23-Nov-22
The difference between stagnant, complacent teachers and transformative, rapidly growing teachers comes down to promoting a positive growth environment… ..more
By Stephen Dexter Jr.
07-Dec-22
For reasons that are complicated, we are uncomfortable with leveraging the opportunity that a once in a generation global catastrophe has gifted us... ..more
By Kim Cofino
23-Nov-22
In some schools coaching is a huge success, and in others it fizzles out and fails in just a few years. What makes the difference… ..more
By Conrad Hughes
23-Nov-22
Leading from the mission is leading with purpose and alignment. It harmonizes all components of the school mission… ..more
By Ingrid Delange
23-Nov-22
Schools must create a safe environment where teachers’ evaluations are individualized, differentiated, and human... ..more
By Nick DeForest
23-Nov-22
At its core, education should be dynamic, progressive, and at the forefront of today’s changing landscape. School athletic programs should be no exception… ..more
By Jon Nordmeyer
09-Nov-22
Understanding the implications of EAL fees on students, teachers, classrooms, and overall equity helps us move toward improving this system… ..more
By Richard Harrold
09-Nov-22
Without a deeper understanding of how to use Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) data-generated reports, meetings often fail… ..more
By Yujiro Fujiwara
09-Nov-22
Recommendations for administrators for increasing the effectiveness and accountability of the learning team in schools… ..more
By Kim Cofino
26-Oct-22
Recognizing, owning, and being able to articulate your leadership skills are important first steps in taking action.. ..more
By Dan Worth
09-Nov-22
Keeping education going must remain the top priority, whatever the situation… ..more
By Conrad Hughes
26-Oct-22
At the end of the day, all the mission statements, logos, and quotations in the world will not be as important as the concrete actions that are taken… ..more
By Shwetangna Chakrabarty
26-Oct-22
This guide to November and December will focus on the most important purpose of a counselor’s job, guiding students to the right university… ..more
By Bridget McNamer
12-Oct-22
Daring women leaders from around the globe gathered to celebrate strengths and reimagine a leadership landscape that values and supports female attributes… ..more
By Kim Cofino
28-Sep-22
When teachers grow, they model growth-mindedness for students… ..more
By Damian Bacchoo
26-Oct-22
The question of “what can we take away” has been a priority for school leaders since (at least) the Industrial Age... ..more
By Sue Easton
12-Oct-22
The PTC approach of intense, focused in-person learning, and relaxed, job-embedded virtual learning continues to elevate international education... ..more
By Chip Barder and Bambi Betts
12-Oct-22
International school board members and school heads gather in person for fresh new approaches to international school governance... ..more
By Kenya J. Washington
28-Sep-22
If a potential hire were to ask the faculty about the culture and morale of our school would their reply hinder or support the hiring efforts and processes… ..more
By Cindy Adair
12-Oct-22
Our induction program aims to foster friendships and a support network among the new staff cohort… ..more
By Conrad Hughes
28-Sep-22
It is critical that leaders in education embrace an innovator’s mindset, not for the sake of change, but in order to contribute to the global movement… ..more
By Mary Noble
14-Sep-22
A middle school principal shares the tiring process of an international school job search and offers strategies for schools and leaders in the recruitment process… ..more
By Jennifer Abrams
14-Sep-22
To continue on the journey of growing (up) and becoming an even more effective professional requires another skill set… ..more
By Conrad Hughes
17-Aug-22
An experienced international leader shares his insights and knowledge to inspire new and seasoned leaders... ..more
By Art Charles
12-Oct-22
It is as much the challenges we overcome as a community as the opportunities we are given that bring us together as a team… ..more
By John Mikton
17-Aug-22
Dr. Helen Kelly shares learnings from her research, work, and workshops on wellbeing... ..more
By Jennifer Abrams
13-Jul-22
Taking responsibility for our communications is an inside job related to reliability and a strong awareness around contributing positively to your team… ..more
By David Blair
13-Jul-22
We owe it to our communities to face the challenges we encounter with clarity, candor, and “the buoyancy of hope” … ..more
By Clara Swinehart
23-Nov-22
Never assuming applies to our own experiences, interactions, and exchanges with our students, parents, and teachers… ..more
By Catarina Song Chen, Dr. Wallace Ting, and Lindsay Prendergast
22-Jun-22
The Global Leadership Stories series showcases real case studies from the new publication International Education Leadership: Stories From Around the Globe.... ..more
By Kathleen Naglee
08-Jun-22
Develop your vision, practice and hone it in experience, and most importantly, wield it for the betterment of your community... ..more
By Kim Cofino
08-Jun-22
10 frequently mentioned themes for the most essential skills for emerging leaders today represent a well-rounded and likely non-traditional leader... ..more
By Michael Iannini and Claire Peet
08-Jun-22
A leader’s most important responsibility is to develop leaders... ..more
By Chip Barder
25-May-22
Strategic policy development is a critically important but often overlooked responsibility of international school boards... ..more
By Jennifer Abrams
25-May-22
Suspending certainty asks us to remain open to multiple possibilities and multiple points of view, to not rush to judgment... ..more
By Vickie Swann
25-May-22
Practical ways to be S.U.R.E. you take the necessary steps to find your north star within an organization while staying true to self... ..more
By Bambi Betts
11-May-22
Amidst the complex, ever-changing landscape they navigate daily, principals and curriculum leaders have been reaching out to each other in a big way... ..more
By Kristen MacConnell
11-May-22
At the Principals’ Training Center (PTC), a group of school leaders from around the world created a “Must Read” list, sharing some of their favorite books on leadership and learning... ..more
By Nicholas Alchin
11-May-22
Strong trust is fundamental for any organization to be successful. Without it, little is possible - with it, remarkable things are within reach... ..more
By Kevin Bartlett
27-Apr-22
I don’t know about you, but I never did good work because someone was “supervising” me. We do good work for its own sake, or perhaps even more significantly, for the sake of the learners. ..more
By Dr. Deborah Welch
27-Apr-22
A high-functioning Search Committee is key to running a successful leadership search. Use these best practices to help ensure the best outcome for your school community. ..more
By Keryn Dowling
13-Apr-22
Keep learning, keep being open to opportunities, and keep supporting others. Although I still have so much more to learn and grow from within leadership - there are a few things I wish I could tell my younger self. ..more
By Mark Symmonds
13-Apr-22
The induction of teachers and staff to a new school in a new country is a vital part of the success for the teacher, their families, the school, and its students. ..more
By Andrew Mitchell and Eleni Vardaki
27-Apr-22
A genuine sense of care for your students’ wellbeing, as an educator, and for the members of your community, as a leader, is needed for mindfulness initiatives in schools to work. ..more
By Diana Rosberg
13-Apr-22
We often feel pressure to have a Strategic Plan in place “yesterday.” Building one today could be a mistake. ..more
By Dr. Deborah Welch
30-Mar-22
You’ve made it to the semi-finalist interview stage. Use these three tables to organize and focus on the “presentation” aspect of interviewing. ..more
By Philip Cogbill
13-Apr-22
In this Pearl, Philip reminds us of the Maya Angelou quote, “People will forget what you said, and people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ..more
By Colleen Broderick
16-Mar-22
This provocation to expand what is possible for the future of school is a curated collection of resources organized to provide fodder for a very different conversation about change. ..more
By Kim Cofino
16-Mar-22
As leaders we have the challenge of managing time and priorities to find space for personal wellbeing and also the responsibility to model strategies for wellbeing for others. ..more
By Bambi Betts
02-Mar-22
Whether they are in the world, international school principals share some very similar challenges and issues. Find out what topics are being discussed most right now... ..more
By Jill Stubbs
02-Mar-22
In this Pearl, Jill talks about applying the knowledge and skills you gain from professional learning opportunities like the Principals' Training Center. ..more
By David Willows
27-Apr-22
What was the experience of school now that faces were back on show? And what were some of the most important lessons that our students had learned throughout the pandemic? ..more
By Kim Cofino
11-May-22
70 successful women share strategies that help busy leaders manage the demands, needs, and priorities of a school or division... ..more
By Jennifer Abrams
13-Apr-22
Our ability to collaborate and our willingness to engage respectfully with one another matters for the health of the school and the collective well-being of all within it. ..more
By Kim Cofino
13-Apr-22
Balancing competing priorities can become overwhelming if you don’t have a strategy to deal with them. 70 women in leadership roles share insights. ..more
By Nancy J. Lhoest-Squicciarini
02-Mar-22
I was not sure how to navigate a career as an educator and most importantly as a person... so a “Soundtrack of Advice” has been created to share guidance and encouragement. ..more
By Conrad Hughes
02-Mar-22
Conrad outlines some of the issues facing students at the end of high school. Join a discussion with 17-year-old students Meghana and Laeticia. ..more
By Kevin Bartlett
02-Mar-22
As a school leader, that phrase, “We need to educate our parents” always jarred with me. So, when it comes to parents, and learning, some new perspectives... ..more
By Kim Cofino
16-Feb-22
Finding a space of wellbeing in a busy leadership role is no easy feat. After living through two years of almost constant crisis, it almost seems an unfair expectation to have. ..more
By Dr. Deborah Welch
16-Feb-22
Whether you are a new head or a veteran, it can be daunting to anticipate what sort of questions you’ll be asked. These two actions steps can help guide your preparations. ..more
By Blake Roberts
16-Feb-22
This executive summary on practices to sustain teacher morale is an easy to implement toolbox for school leaders looking to improve their school’s morale. ..more
By Jennifer Abrams
02-Feb-22
Our ability to collaborate and our willingness to engage respectfully with one another matters for the health of the school and the collective well-being of all within it. ..more
By The International Schools Podcast
02-Feb-22
In this episode, Liz Free and Viki Stiebert share their journey as international school educators and school directors ..more
By Kimberly Cullen
02-Feb-22
Raise Her Up and Sidecar Counsel are partnering to sponsor two women leaders at the Sidecar Summit in July 2022. ..more
By Kristen MacConnell
19-Jan-22
A common challenge voiced by new teacher leaders is navigating the transition from team member to team leader. Teacher leaders share which factors contributed to their current leadership success. ..more
By Kim Cofino
19-Jan-22
The secret to feeling confident and capable in a confrontation is both understanding the process and practicing your actions until there are very few surprises left. ..more
By Viki Stiebert
19-Jan-22
In this new series, school leaders write an intimate and personal letter sharing the advice they would give to their younger selves for others to read and learn from their experiences. ..more
By Dr. Deborah Welch
19-Jan-22
More often than not, as a job seeker your résumé precedes you. It is the first impression a potential school has of you – and is usually a quick one. ..more
By Dr. Michael Johnston
14-Sep-22
Leaders need to challenge the systems and structures that hold them back from offering students authentic learning experiences… ..more
+ 2021
By Kim Cofino
08-Dec-21
Here are five strategies that you can use “in the moment” during a confrontation or difficult conversation to diffuse the situation and hopefully get to a point of compromise. ..more
By Dr. Rachel Previs Ball
08-Dec-21
By carefully considering what factors matter to teacher candidates and designing a recruitment plan that meets the needs of desired applicants, schools will be poised to more successfully hire quality teachers. ..more
By Kyra Kellawan, The PilotEd Podcast
08-Dec-21
Hannah Wilson is an independent consultant and facilitator who specializes in leadership development and training. Hannah was one of the founding members of the Women in Education Leadership movement WomenEd in the UK. ..more
By Tania Mansfield
08-Dec-21
Using the PTC Effective Leadership course as a guide, I reflect on my entry plan into a new school community with hopes of sharing my knowledge, objectives, and experience with others. ..more
By Diana Rosberg
24-Nov-21
Every school has its “official” leadership structure ... But somewhere, deep in the fabric of the school, we always find a ready crew, people who just get things done. ..more
By Nicholas Alchin
24-Nov-21
The aim of our discussions should not be victory, but better understanding of other views. That’s the long-term work, the hard work. None of us have a monopoly on truth... ..more
By Daniel Slevin
24-Nov-21
Standards of excellence for the international educator can create shared understanding between generations and nationalities. ..more
By Bridget McNamer
24-Nov-21
So much can change in the reality of a school and school leaders in a two-year span ...With that in mind, let’s take a hard look at recruitment lead-times and recognize that longer is not always better. ..more
By Kim Cofino
10-Nov-21
Women leaders share what’s different about a leadership interview (in particular a Head of School interview) than what we may be used to in terms of teaching middle level leadership. ..more
By Nicholas Garrison
10-Nov-21
What is the impact of architectural design on the way students feel about the schools they attend? Welcome? Important? Loved and respected—or “just a brick in the wall?” ..more
By Kimberly Cullen
27-Oct-21
The pandemic highlighted the need for leadership which is empathic, compassionate, vulnerable, and emotionally intelligent - who can tap into their greatest assets - their teachers and staff. ..more
By Sylvia Johnston
24-Nov-21
In her Pearl, Sylvia says it’s important to “own your successes, share your problems, never be afraid to expose yourself in front of the staff and be vulnerable.” ..more
By Robert van der Eyken
27-Oct-21
Schools from around the world have found creative ways to ensure leadership tasks are addressed by focusing on and empowering their teachers. ..more
By Kim Cofino
13-Oct-21
If, a a woman, you feel isolated in your leadership journey, you’re not alone! Many aspiring women leaders feel exactly the same way. Trying to find a mentor isn’t always easy. ..more
By Robert Van der Eyken
29-Sep-21
In consultation with AISH school leaders from around the world, it is clear that efficiency and effectiveness start at the top. ..more
By Proserpina Dhlamini-Fisher
13-Oct-21
“As leaders we need to know that the journey is not easy. We need to be resilient, hopeful, and be very clear on what our personal purpose is" ..more
By Kim Cofino
15-Sep-21
Experienced women in education described feeling some level of imposter syndrome. Even though they were accomplished and demonstrating their leadership, they still didn’t quite feel like leaders. ..more
By Megel Barker
15-Sep-21
The Control + Alt + Delete metaphor provides a metric to perform organisational self-study ..more
By John Mikton and Dan Taylor
15-Sep-21
Kristen shares her experience pivoting the TTC courses to an online format. The learnings, opportunities, and pinch points of moving hundreds of educators to this new venue and approach. ..more
By Sajitha Chacko
15-Sep-21
A practicing international school counselor offers a helpful, practical strategy for helping students struggling with difficult emotions. ..more
By National Association of Secondary School Principals
01-Sep-21
Three International School educators have been selected for the 2021 National Distinguished Principals Award for Secondary Schools. ..more
By Margaret Park
01-Sep-21
Seoul of a Leader is committed to leadership development and equipping others to become stronger leaders who would make positive change in their spaces. ..more
By Meghan Svenonius-Lydon
01-Sep-21
Maximizing teacher effectiveness is a vital element of improving teaching and learning. It is also one of the most challenging tasks for international teacher leaders to navigate. ..more
The U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools
04-Aug-21
Daniel A. Kerr, David Callaway, and Veronica Kaypaghian, were selected as the three International School educators for the 2021 National Distinguished Principals Award. ..more
By Bridget McNamer
04-Aug-21
The Sidecar Summit, a gathering of adventurous women leaders in preK-12 education. ..more
By Nancy Fairburn
01-Sep-21
When a problem presents itself, and it seems to be an ongoing problem, go upstream to consider what’s the bigger issue up there. ..more
By Kevin Bartlett
06-Jul-21
The CGC team looked at the current state of play in ‘the learning game’ and saw too many things that didn’t make sense to us. Where there should be connections, we saw gaps ..more
By Kim Cofino
04-Aug-21
When it comes to seeking leadership positions many of those traditional expectations are still prevalent in the international school circuit ..more
ISC Research
01-Sep-21
The new Heads Up series hosted by ISC Research kicks off with an insightful discussion about shifts in teaching and learning practices at international schools. ..more
By Anuradha Monga
04-Aug-21
In this year’s retreat, CAMP and TAISI introduced mediation as an approach to resolving disputes. This was aimed to be part of a larger effort to steer international schools towards mediation. ..more
By Leda Cedo
04-Aug-21
"Pearl of Wisdom" shared during the PTC summer training session by educator and leader, Leda Cedo addresses personal reflections around diversity, equity and inclusion. ..more
By Edutec Alliance with Arnie Bieber
04-Aug-21
Arnie Bieber, Director of the International School of Prague, shares his ideas and experiences in embedding a strong mission and a solid strategy in schools, leading innovation, and learning for the 21st century. Inspire, engage, empower. ..more
By Suzanne Laong and Liam Hammer
06-Jul-21
Sharing the various approaches in Tenby Schools Johor has adapted to the COVID crisis and thrived as a school community. ..more
By Megel R. Barker
06-Jul-21
School leaders have always had to wear “masks” in order to be successful change makers. Leadership is surely about being honest but isn’t it also about being cool under pressure? ..more
By Kim Cofino
22-Jun-21
The Head of School announcements every year reveal that top leadership positions at international schools often seem to be passed around within the same small circle of mostly white men ..more
By Kimberly Cullen
25-May-21
At two recent virtual gatherings of international educators, Kimberly Cullen and Debra Lane asked participants to describe the struggles that women leaders face in international K-12 schools and to identify what they are willing to start and stop doing to raise themselves and others up.  ..more
By Kim Cofino
25-May-21
Many Women Who Lead interviewees spoke of a competitive and tense zero-sum atmosphere around female leadership positions, as if there’s a pie and everyone has to frantically grab a piece because it’s in danger of running out. Here's the thing: it is not a pie. ..more
By Doline Ndorimana
12-May-21
A scent is natural and emanates from the environment. A perfume, on the other hand, is an artificial overlay that tends to create a mood yet doesn't linger long. In my experience, DEI work can tend to function like a perfume. What's in the air at your school? ..more
By Libby Sievert
11-May-21
With Schutz American School nearing its centennial celebration, the design team launched a collective process aimed at re-imagining campus. The visual art building got an extraordinary makeover in the most challenging of conditions. ..more
By Kimberly Cullen
27-Apr-21
Worldwide, it is clear that “teaching is frequently a female profession with men in charge.” Kim Cullen and her colleague Debra Lane have been thinking, writing, and talking publicly about the many struggles that women leaders in international K-12 schools face.  ..more
By Alec Aspinwall
11-May-21
In a chapter book created with the help of international school counselors, teachers, principals, and heads of school, Grade 5 twins Patrick and Patricia (aka X-Pats) leave their home country and start new adventures abroad at an international school. ..more
By Kathleen Naglee
27-Apr-21
There is no life now outside of work, confides Head of School Kathleen Naglee, who has stopped trying to pretend otherwise. In the throes of the pandemic, remaining committed to her community of learners and fellow educators has come at a great personal cost. ..more
By Kim Cofino
27-Apr-21
Better understanding both the stereotypes and expectations you may face as a woman in pursuing a leadership role, and having some strategies to deal with them, may help you feel more confident in taking the next steps towards your dream job. ..more
Ikigai SISU School, located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is the first SISU school to open in a global franchise model designed to create world-class K-12 international schools, born of a collaboration between International Schools Services and Lumo Education. ..more
By Robert van der Eyken
13-Apr-21
Students at Academia Cotopaxi's school newspaper asked Director Robert van der Eyken to contribute an article on what has been learned over the past year. In this powerful reflection, he submits that 2021 offers an opportunity to apply lessons learned to future challenges. ..more
American School of Bahrain (ASB), the newest addition to Esol Education’s global family of schools, is situated on an expansive 60,000 square meter, state-of-the-art campus. Located in Riffa, ASB is home to one of the most advanced learning environments on the island ..more
By Priyanka Jethani
30-Mar-21
Shared leadership is built on trust and honesty, is authentic, sets clear expectations, and empowers others in the community to grow and learn and prosper. But how do we get there? Priyanka Jethani shares the genesis of her own journey. ..more
By Kim Cofino
30-Mar-21
Although we may have the perception that there are more women moving into leadership roles in recent years, the data shows that is not the case. Kim Cofino explores the roots of this ongoing problem in international schools around the world.  ..more
By David Willows
30-Mar-21
A year ago, a team at the International School of Brussels embarked upon a quest to unlearn Advancement. Dismantling such an established part of the school’s administration was bound to be a challenge. A year and a pandemic later, here are 5 ways in which their work has changed. ..more
By Priyanka Jethani
03-Mar-21
Priyanka Jethani conducted 15 interviews with administrators from around the world about their perspectives on shared leadership. What is it? Why is it important? What are the benefits? This is the first article in a series she will devote to exploring this topic. ..more
By Kim Cofino
03-Mar-21
Women in leadership positions often appear to have advanced steadily with intention along a clear path towards an ultimate goal. A dozen women leaders shared with Kim Cofino that the reality is often quite different. ..more
By Sadie Hollins
16-Feb-21
With the onset of the pandemic, the idea of wellbeing exploded. Schools were simultaneously contested as sites of poor wellbeing and under pressure to actively promote its importance. Sadie Hollins reminds us that wellbeing is individual to each of us, just like a fingerprint. ..more
By Jon Butcher
16-Feb-21
As Principal of Berlin Brandenburg International School, Jon Butcher offers some hindsight on 2020 and thoughts about the toll it has taken on his staff. "We must take care of our teachers," he insists, stressing the importance of offering them our sincere respect and appreciation. ..more
By Bambi Betts
06-Jul-21
What are nearly one thousand international school educators representing 74 nationalities doing as you are reading this? ..more
By Lisa Perskie & the UNAtions Team
02-Feb-21
School of the Nations has found that it is possible both to sustain and strengthen its service projects and connections with its sister schools online thanks to friendship, collaboration, and empathy. The trust developed prior to the pandemic helped tremendously. ..more
By Angela Beach
02-Feb-21
Dalian American International School Elementary in Dalian, China takes distance learning beyond the screen by offering student toolkits to enhance instruction and add a personal touch—a weekly-refreshed bag of physical supplements to online learning. ..more
By Ben Fishman and Josh Lange
19-Jan-21
Concordia International School Shanghai has forged a partnership that allows international school students and staff to work together with local Chinese in community development efforts, mainly through education and health projects in rural parts of the country ..more
By Anne Keeling, ISC Research
19-Jan-21
The International School Awards 2021 were live streamed Monday, 18 January to schools around the world. The International School of the Year 2021 was awarded to Branksome Hall Asia, South Korea. ..more
By Sharon Canadine
19-Jan-21
The student population at Colegio Interamericano in Guatemala City has been steadily growing over the past 40 years. Thanks to a recent expansion project, the school now covers 15.5 acres and includes state-of-the-art facilities. ..more
By Sophie Baillie
19-Jan-21
Impington Village College, located on the outskirts of Cambridge in the U.K., has been awarded Foundation level for the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom. ..more
By Kim Marshall
08-Jun-21
Principals know they’re not seeing everything, but because there’s never enough time, they act as if they’re omniscient. “The key challenge for school leaders,” says Rodberg, “is to know that our information is limited and to ask… What am I missing?” ..more
By Kim Marshall
11-May-21
Many school leaders turn away from conflict and never realize its potential for promoting growth rather than disorder. When they don’t step up, problems fester unresolved, including mediocre and ineffective teaching, racial microaggressions, and systemic inequities. ..more
+ 2020
By David Willows
23-Dec-20
Pandemics don’t read reopening plans, David Willows has concluded. For each month of this seemingly never-ending year, he has extracted some fairly universal and hard-won lessons in school leadership to share with fellow international educators. ..more
By Christopher Niem
23-Dec-20
“Our long-term goal is to be able to influence the culture of school food in Hong Kong, and in other areas of Asia as well. Once parents and children can see the benefits of healthy, sustainable food, we really believe that it can become a movement for positive change.” ..more
By Dr. Helen Kelly
08-Dec-20
Noting a dearth of hard data about the increased levels of stress experienced by international school leaders since the start of the pandemic, Helen Kelly conducted her own in-depth survey, to which 721 leaders responded. The results are alarming. ..more
By Chip Barder
25-Nov-20
No individual or group within our international schools has been spared from the challenges brought on by the pandemic, including the School Board. Those responsible for school governance have been attempting to navigate new and troubling territory. ..more
By Tory Potter, Eric Semler, Dawn De Koker, and Ben Fishman
25-Nov-20
Having a strong, positive partnership between school administrators and counselors is critical in supporting student success. Concordia International School Shanghai has taken intentional steps to strengthen this partnership and shares the key elements of its model here. ..more
Bobbi McDaniel became Director of the American International School of Monrovia in Liberia at the start of the 2020 school year. Briefly setting aside the many demands on her attention, she answered a few of our questions about stepping into this role in this era of uncertainty. ..more
By Eric Semler
14-Oct-20
What can you learn about leadership and leading during a crisis from the mud and mayhem of a reality show featuring incredibly dangerous roads? A lot, it turns out, if you've ever felt that leading a school can be a treacherous endeavor. ..more
By the Office of Overseas Schools
30-Sep-20
Congratulations to Melissa M Schaub, elementary principal of the American International School of Lagos in Lagos, Nigeria, and to Daniel R. Todd, elementary principal of International School of Uganda, who were selected for the 2020 National Distinguished Principals Award. ..more
By Helen Kelly
30-Sep-20
The COVID 19 crisis is increasing the huge levels of stress already experienced by international school leaders. While some are thriving in the face of the challenge, many are overwhelmed and coming close to burnout. Resilience is built through acknowledging our vulnerabilities. ..more
By Richard Bampfylde
03-Sep-20
The explosion in early August that rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut left over 200 residents dead, 6,000 injured, and 350,000 homeless. This tragedy compounded existing social, political, economic, and health crises. Brummana High School Students stepped up. ..more
By Jaime Ellenberger
03-Sep-20
Teachers in Sweden tend to enjoy a healthy work/life balance, preventing extensive teacher turnover due to overexhaustion. As an American, Jaime Ellenberger had a lot to learn about walking away at the end of the day. ..more
By Julie Wilson
22-May-20
Changing a system is one of the most challenging things to do. If we are saying that we want to support more creativity, collaboration, and appetite for risk in schools, then the organizational structure, systems, and processes must change significantly in order to support and reflect that pedagogy. ..more
By Bambi Betts, Director - The Principals' Training Center
05-Mar-20
What might the curriculum look like if the primary purpose of school were to prepare all learners to be of service, to make the world better for others? "Primary" being the key word that might significantly inspire movement and potential impact on learning. ..more
By Forrest Broman
05-Mar-20
The founder of TIE and Director of Children of Haiti and Refugee Projects (COHRP) shares 14 lessons learned during his many years as a school head in at Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel and Escuela Campo Alegre in Venezuela. ..more
By AAIE Board of Trustees
17-Feb-20
Andy Page-Smith has been named AAIE’s 2020 Superintendent of the Year. After ten years as School Director of the American International School of Johannesburg, in July 2020 he will take up a new position as CEO – Executive Director of AISH. ..more
By Ewan McIntosh
05-Feb-20
Independent schools are swiftly abandoning traditionally static long-term strategy planning. Instead, they’re adopting agile approaches to designing strategy so that they engage their whole community in changing how they think about what’s possible in school. But this process of agile innovation isn’t all fun and games. ..more
By Dave Krocker
03-Jan-20
I do believe it is incumbent upon school leaders to place faith in our students’ and community’s ability to handle something new. Tell them you believe in them, that you trust them, and that you want them to have joyful opportunities and make positive memories of their high school experience. ..more
+ 2019
By Timothy Veale
03-Dec-19
I believe it will help current and aspiring leaders to learn about international school “lifers”—those having worked in international schools longer than 20 years—and, in so doing, to understand what will continue to drive these legacies and new ones, well into the future. ..more
By Neil Morgan Griffiths
03-Dec-19
When policies and practices are designed to support and encourage professionalism, they positively impact school culture. Buyback is the medical world’s equivalent of exercise, in that it cures just about everything, and enhances what is already good. ..more
By Anne Keeling
19-Dec-19
Cloud finance will effectively allow international schools to manage all of their finance activity within their central MIS system, optimizing data management. ..more
By Matt Wilce
13-Nov-19
The American School in Japan (ASIJ) has received a gift of ¥100,000,000 (nearly US$950,000) to its endowment from the ASIJ Parent Teacher Association (PTA). “Building our endowment is one of ASIJ’s most important strategic objectives over the next few years." ..more
By Meadow Dibble, TIE Editor
03-Oct-19
Lucaya International School had only just opened its doors to usher in a new school year when Hurricane Dorian forced the administration to abruptly slam them shut again and batten down the hatches. Showing resilience and solidarity, the LIS community seeks to recover and help others do the same. ..more
By Rebecca Perry
03-Oct-19
Every year, two outstanding principals are selected from the international schools that are assisted by the Office of Overseas Schools of the United States Department of State to receive the National Distinguished Principals Award. ..more
Kerry Anne Langton passed away peacefully on June 14, 2019 at her home on Vashon Island, Washington. For thirty years, she lived and traveled abroad with her husband and family, serving on the board of international schools in Kenya, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Nepal, and India. ..more
By Ngozi Max-Macarthy
10-May-19
The Educators’ Network was created seven years ago by a core group of Ghanaian teachers at Lincoln Community School with the goal of helping to improve student achievement by sharing their knowledge of international teaching best practices with their peers at local schools in Ghana. ..more
By Michelle Collin
10-May-19
Effective in the 2019—2020 academic year, ISS will change its leadership structure in the Asia Pacific Office. ..more
To keep you connected with your international school colleagues around the world, TIE encourages you to share news of your new appointments both in our newspaper and on our website. ..more
By Shannon Fehse and Josh Krajczar
10-May-19
For the thousands of international educators who have been fortunate enough to cross paths with Dr. Richard (Dick) Krajczar over the years, there remains an element of disbelief that he’s really gone. ..more
By Chip Barder, AISH President
10-May-19
Dr. Andy Page-Smith has been appointed the new CEO of the Academy of International School Heads (AISH), effective July 2020. Andy brings almost 40 years of service as a professional educator, including 18 years as a Head of School in Kuwait, Hong Kong, and currently in Johannesburg. ..more
By Michelle Collin
24-Apr-19
Effective in the 2019—2020 academic year, ISS will change its leadership structure in the Asia Pacific Office. Dr. Dale Cox will step down from the ISS Vice-President, Asia Pacific role to assume a faculty position at Utah Valley University in the U.S. ..more
By Meadow Hilley, TIE Editor
03-Apr-19
Sheena Nabholz, Head of School at Lincoln Community School in Accra, Ghana, speaks with TIE Editor Meadow Hilley, reflecting on her path toward leadership and the importance of mentors for women of talent. ..more
By Norma Hudson
22-Mar-19
Designing its learning environment from the ground up is quite possibly one of the most invigorating and thought-provoking opportunities a school can experience. In envisioning its new campus, the International School of Kuala Lumpur sought to create an environment that supports creative, collaborative, and constructive learning from prep-reception all the way through Grade 12. ..more
By Kevin Bartlett
06-Feb-19
In 40 years of school leadership, I’ve learned a lot from reading the work of smart thinkers like Michael Fullan. He’d suggest that it is not so much that we run out of time, but more that we run out of energy. Schools have energy cycles. ..more
By Anne Keeling
01-Feb-19
Winners of the 2019 International School Awards were celebrated at a ceremony in London on Monday night, 21st January. Over 200 senior leaders from international schools and education organizations around the world attended the gala event. ..more
By Deidre Fischer
03-Jan-19
I have learned from the mistakes I’ve made over the course of my own journey toward head of school, and I continue to learn even as I coach and mentor aspiring leaders as well as established heads. Here, I’ve summarized five key lessons learned along the way. ..more
By Shir Shoval-Simhoni, Amanda Dzwairo, and Carolyn Asante-Dartey
01-Mar-19
Let’s face it, the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) class, mandatory for all IB Diploma candidates, is a challenge. We are exposed to so many new ideas, concepts, and vocabulary that it seems sometimes the toughest of our seven IB subjects. ..more
By Elisa Rainford
14-Feb-19
ACS Doha, one of Qatar’s leading international schools, has announced a partnership with Al Jaber Group to build a brand new, state-of-the-art student campus in Doha. The new school will have a capacity of 2,470 students and will open in August 2020. ..more
By Mike Johnson
14-Feb-19
In the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas massacre, schools should consider both appropriate security hardware and technology solutions and commit to the important work of emergency planning management. ..more
By Patrick M. Carroll
06-Feb-19
in 2016-17, SMIC had just celebrated its 15th anniversary when Principal Kelley Ridings first broached the idea of redesigning our school’s middle school program, which had gone largely unchanged since the school opened. This simple conversation ultimately led to a reimagining. ..more
Bambi Betts
06-Aug-19
It’s a firmly established fact. The single most influential factor on learning is the quality of teaching. And this begs the questions, what IS ‘quality teaching’, and what tools do we have to ensure every child in every international school gets access to quality teaching? ..more
+ 2018
By Luci Willis
02-Nov-18
I am a relatively new leader. This is my second year as an administrator, and it’s been an especially hard one. It felt like the weight got very heavy very quickly. And I didn’t always feel strong enough to carry it. ..more
By Mark McGowan
19-Oct-18
In recent years, the IB Diploma Programme has asked schools to more actively integrate Theory of Knowledge (ToK) into their curriculums. However, some continue to struggle with the how and why of such an undertaking. Here are a few strategies. ..more
By Sally Richmond and Ming Jin
23-May-18
At Beijing City International School, we believe that we are all lifelong learners and can always learn, grow, and improve in our profession. Concretely, how can we maintain ongoing learning opportunities for teachers and teaching assistants that are conveniently offered onsite and that are both accessible and cost effective? Here are some of the ideas we've come up with to date. ..more
By Denry Machin
13-May-18
School leaders—international school leaders especially—must balance the aims of educational and financial effectiveness. How does the born and bred educationalist cope in such an environment? ..more
By Peter Bird
28-Nov-18
I have taken the plunge and arrived in Chennai, India to repeat the experience of starting a new school in a country that I had never stepped foot in before. Now here I am, busily creating social media buzz and momentum as the countdown clock ticks away on our website... ..more
By Jennifer Abrams
19-Apr-18
In schools, it’s the connotation we attach to the word "trust" and the deep reservoirs of associated emotion that determine how we truly define it. Trust is unwieldy, vague, and fuzzy. It’s complex, huge, and complicated. And, by the way, it is essential: research says trust is critical to our schools moving forward. ..more
By Leila Holmyard
11-Aug-18
Leila Holmyard considers Michael J. Thompson's A Guide to Establishing and Maintaining Quality International Schools the ideal summer read for school owners, board members, and educators new to the international school community. ..more
By Tiffani Razavi, TIE Staff Writer
13-Apr-18
Collaborative problem solving, as assessed by PISA in 2015, is indicated by “the ability to maintain an awareness of group dynamics, ensure team members act in accordance with their agreed roles, and resolve disagreements and conflicts while identifying efficient pathways and monitoring progress towards a solution.” ..more
By Meadow Hilley, TIE Editor
04-Apr-18
John Magagna is Founding Director of Search Associates. He spoke with TIE Editor Meadow Hilley at Search Associates' Cambridge fair, held 26–28 January. John will retire in August. Here he shares his wisdom and experience with TIE's readers. ..more
By Mike Simpson
04-Apr-18
“Sport is, to use the jargon of economics, a zero-sum game: if I win, you, by definition, lose.” But education operates on a different model altogether. It is a game where everyone can win simultaneously. ..more
By Joy Jameson
04-Apr-18
International schools pride themselves on having the latest educational materials. This process often results in the accumulation of huge quantities of books and supplies that are no longer used. Have you ever wondered what happens to all the obsolete materials? ..more
By Xianxuan Xu
11-Jul-18
The primary task of human resource management is simple: to choose the right person for the right job. This is especially important in education because the success of a school is determined to a large extent by the effectiveness of its teacher, leader, and staff workforce. ..more
By Elena Van Lare
11-Jul-18
International School Yangon recently embarked on a journey, asking: to what extent do we inspire students to be global learners who are fulfilled, confident, and willing to give back to this ever-changing world? ..more
By Meadow Hilley, TIE Editor
23-Mar-18
Frankfurt International School (FIS) has been getting a lot of attention of late from companies looking to relocate their employees to Germany in the wake of Brexit. Rather than grow, however, FIS has opted to maintain its current size. ..more
By Gail D. Schoppert
20-Jun-18
Gail Schoppert directed four major international schools in Kuala Lumpur, The Hague, Warsaw, and Rotterdam between 1978 and 1996. His poem “Wings and Roots” was quoted in two graduation speeches this year ..more
By John Mikton
20-Jun-18
For European international schools, due to the implementation of a new law called the General Data Protection Regulation, the personal data of all faculty members, parents, and students will need to be organized and protected in accordance with the new rules laid down by the GDPR. ..more
By Kathleen Naglee
20-Jun-18
We lead world-renowned schools with highly qualified staff, and accredited programs with U.S. State Department assistance. Yet, there were only three female heads of school in our region in academic years 2016–17, 2017–18. How is this still the case in educational leadership? ..more
By Kevin Glass, AAIE President
23-Mar-18
On behalf of our worldwide AAIE community, the board of trustees is pleased to announce that Mark E. Ulfers, current head of school of the American School of Paris will become AAIE’s next executive director, beginning July 2018. ..more
By Deron Marvin
08-Mar-18
In the fall, Deron Marvin will begin his first official international school headship. To prepare the transition, he sought out and interviewed two wise leaders--John Goodwin and Charles Barder--who between them boast 91 years' worth of knowledge and experience in international education. ..more
By Aviva Rosensweig
22-Feb-18
Walworth Barbour American International School (WBAIS ) in Israel is a very professional, and at the same time friendly, community that embraces new members with great warmth and personal attention. ..more
By Jeffrey Michael Jurkovac
22-Feb-18
In the last decade, the Pan American School of Porto Alegre has doubled its enrollment to 400 students, from preschool through high school. Our community has embraced the idea of creating an international school that forms students with a global perspective of the world. ..more
By Yolanda Murphy-Barrena
02-Feb-18
Outgoing Executive Director of AAIE Yolanda Murphy-Barrena remembers her predecessor, international educator and leader Dr. Elsa Lamb. ..more
By Nina Blake
14-Feb-18
Besides being the oldest accredited American school abroad still in full operation, the American School Foundation is now considered one of the leading private schools in Mexico, thanks to its competitive K–12 educational programs. ..more
By Akofa Wallace
02-Feb-18
UNIS Hanoi celebrates three significant milestones in 2017-18. This year marks the School’s 30th year in operation, 20 years as the first IB school in Asia, and the Head of School’s 10th year at the helm of UNIS Hanoi. ..more
By Kevin Glass an Mike McCarthy
19-Jan-18
Kevin Glass of AIS and Mike McCarthy of CNN International want your school to join hundreds of others around the world in marking #myfreedomday, a global day of action to help end modern-day slavery. ..more
By Helen Lee
19-Jan-18
Shelly Luke Wille has been chosen to participate in the Heads of Schools program at Columbia University’s Klingenstein Center. This two-week, fully-funded fellowship for heads of independent and international schools offers a unique opportunity to renew vision, passion, and energy for school leadership. ..more
By Joy Jameson
13-Jan-18
With the frequent turnover in teaching and administrative staff at international schools, it is not uncommon to find situations lacking in organization and effectiveness. In an effort to bring things under control, administrators sometimes establish a micro-management system. ..more
By Jennifer Abrams
03-Jan-18
Being allocentric is to be ‘other-focused’ – to try to understand how someone else might see the world differently than you do. In order to collaborate and communicate more effectively, we must be more allocentric. It’s an essential skill and mindset. ..more
By Jeff Dungan and Jessica Hale
02-May-18
Change is critical in most organizations. International schools attempting to redefine 21st-century education for their students are constantly innovating pedagogies and school structures. However, ask someone what the word innovation in the context of international education means to them and you are likely to get many different answers. ..more
By Ana Leahy
13-Jan-18
The long pathway to becoming an IB school has finally come to an end! We, at the International Programs School, have reached the goal we set four years ago, having completed our last Middle States Association accreditation self-study. ..more
By Bonnie Billak
03-Jan-18
Three of the most common challenges among ESL programs worldwide are space, scheduling, and staffing. Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of each challenge and explore some possible ways to approach its resolution. ..more
By Eddie Levisman
03-Jan-18
Every time I move to a new school—which, admittedly, seems to feel more often as you grow older—I face the early October dread: a new IB coordinator telling me that “at our school we have a policy of non-disclosure; please do not share the predicted grades with the students, thank you very much.” Rationale? None. ..more
By Daniel Ware
27-Sep-18
Students from TASIS The American School in England (TASIS England) recently participated in a 12-day trip to the Balkans as part of the TASIS Leadership Academy (TLA) with the aim of exploring political and diplomatic leadership, as well as conflict resolution. ..more
By Elaine Kanellis
25-Aug-18
More than 73,000 students are beginning the 2018-2019 School Year in Department of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools around the world. Here's an update. ..more
By George Couros
11-Aug-18
In my opinion, the principal is probably the most important job in an educational organization. Though the following questions were developed for superintendents to ask principals, they are questions any educator, parent, or even student should be able to openly ask their principal. ..more
By Gail D. Schoppert
28-Jul-18
The Foreign Administrators and Retirees Tournament of Sport XXIV (FARTS) features golfers who headed up or taught in over 50 international schools. ..more
By Danielle Andriantsiferana
28-Jul-18
The American School of Antananarivo in Madagascar spent a decade planning and preparing to build a new campus, suffering several setbacks along the way, including a coup and having land confiscated. The construction itself took nearly two years. ..more
By Will Griffin
11-Jul-18
Emily McCormick, a teacher at Seoul American High School, has been named the 2018 Department of Defense Education Activity History Teacher of the Year, an award presented annually by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. ..more
By Lexi Lee
23-Mar-18
In 2018, AISJ will be moving from its current campus to a new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art campus. Today, as we begin the second half of our school year, excitement over the opening of the new campus is growing. ..more
By Meadow Hilley, TIE Editor
07-Jun-18
Esol Education’s Fairgreen International School was designed with a changing landscape in mind, as climate change looms large. Situated in the heart of Dubai’s Sustainable City, the school embodies in its very structure the principles and practices it seeks to instill. ..more

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Out With the Old Medical Models, In With a New Ecological Response
By Dr. Virginia Rojas
Jan 2023

Black Skin, White Language: An Open Response to My Dear Friends
By Omar Rachid Zaim
Jan 2023

LIFESTYLE

What’s the Rush?
By Natasha Winnard
Nov 2022

An Invitation To Help Students Slingshot the Planet Forward
By Sean Pettis
Jan 2023

PEDAGOGY & LEARNING

Out With the Old Medical Models, In With a New Ecological Response
By Dr. Virginia Rojas
Jan 2023

ChatGPT: A Partner in the Future of Learning in Schools
By Dr. Megel R. Barker
Jan 2023

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Key Takeaways: ISC Research [email protected] Conference
By Nalini Cook
Jul 2022

Data Visualizations for Schools
By Piotr Olczak
Mar 2022

STUDENT VOICE

An Invitation To Help Students Slingshot the Planet Forward
By Sean Pettis
Jan 2023

Transforming the Colorblind Picture
By Connor Rule, Grade 12
Oct 2022

THE PRINCIPALS' TRAINING CENTER

Congratulations to the 2022 PTC Graduates
By Sue Easton
Nov 2022

A Summer of Learning With the PTC
By Sue Easton
Oct 2022

TIE Online
ABOUT TIE

The International Educator (TIE) is a non-profit organization committed to matching highly qualified educators with international schools around the world. For more than 30 years, TIE has been the most comprehensive service for securing a job in an international school. TIE is dedicated to advancing the highest professional teaching standards and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the international school community.

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