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WELLBEING

Monday, 26 October 2026
When Behavior Is Communication: A Trauma-Informed Lens for Schools


When Behavior Is Communication: A Trauma-Informed Lens for Schools
By Neila Steele
Sep 2026
A trauma-informed lens helps educators look beyond behavior, regulate themselves, and use curiosity, compassion, and connection to create safer school communities...


+ 2026
By Shyamalika Nagendra
25-Mar-26
The key to helping students cultivate an appetite for flexibility and growth in the face of challenge and discomfort is to help them see and feel their individual progress... ..more
By Iyabo Tinubu and Elizabeth Palathra
12-Aug-26
Why do students learn best when they feel safe? Explore practical strategies for building trust, belonging, and inclusive classroom communities... ..more
By Dr. Leila Holmyard
22-Apr-26
The International Taskforce on Child Protection developed and launched guidance specifically focused on the screening of external consultants… ..more
By Tiese Bright
25-Mar-26
A safeguarding professional confronts affluent neglect research, and realizes uncomfortable truths about parenting, pressure, presence, privilege, and emotional connection... ..more
By Darby Sinclair
25-Feb-26
In this Pearl, Darby reveals how “holding space” transforms everyday moments into powerful leadership that helps colleagues thrive... ..more
By Audrey Parker and Sandra Sheppard
12-Aug-26
Strengthen school safety by using language that builds trust, reduces anxiety, and helps students respond confidently during emergencies... ..more
+ 2025
By Ahmad Fadli
10-Dec-25
How a simple meal can transform learning, equity, and community, and what international schools can learn from Indonesia’s nutrition initiative… ..more
By Anthi Patrikios
22-Oct-25
Firewalls can’t replace empathy. When adults shift from control to connection, digital safeguarding becomes an act of prevention and trust… ..more
By Rachida Dahman
21-May-25
Students must be given space to grow beyond rigid systems, free to express their complexity, remain true to themselves, and challenge simplification... ..more
By Gabriela Molina
21-May-25
When students feel like they belong, everything else falls into place. One educator shares insights and strategies for supporting student wellbeing… ..more
By Danielle Nichols, Emi Hisamatsu, and Gayatri Bhavaraju
12-Mar-25
Aoba Japan International School shares how incorporating elements of outdoor learning enhances student motivation and makes interdisciplinary connections... ..more
By Kenny Peavy
26-Feb-25
In a rapidly changing world where traditional education models struggle to keep up with societal and environmental shifts, a new approach is emerging... ..more
By Emma Ahmed and Sam Passeport
10-Dec-25
Why aligning culture and climate matters, and how four transformative movements can reshape schools into healthier, more equitable places to learn... ..more
By Rae Merrigan
18-Jun-25
Discover why true inclusion goes beyond diversity, and how fostering belonging boosts student success, wellbeing, and school community... ..more
By Elmeka Henderson
04-Jun-25
In the silence, your impact still speaks. Practical ways educators can uphold belonging and inclusion when DEI language is restricted or censored… ..more
By Rachel Cannon
23-Apr-25
In greetings and everyday connections, micro-moments weave belonging—making inclusion real, rooted, and sustainable across international school communities… ..more
By Dr. Jennifer Sylvester
10-Dec-25
When Western SEL programs enter East Asian classrooms, cultural gaps emerge. Teachers share how to adapt SEL so it truly resonates across cultures... ..more
By Alistair Goold
08-Oct-25
Restorative practices move safeguarding beyond checklists, building safer schools through trust, belonging, and student voice... ..more
By Ahmad Fadli
10-Sep-25
What would happen if we measured impact not by student data, but by student trust. What if teaching wasn't always about what we deliver, but about how we arrive… ..more
By Courtney Primus
13-Aug-25
Some simple, connection-centered activities to help you start the term with a focus on belonging, identity, and growth… ..more
By Ashley Maxson
04-Jun-25
Insights into practical tools, cultural understanding, and real-world strategies to support student wellbeing, equity, and connection… ..more
By Kacy Brubaker
23-Apr-25
ASFM uses data-driven decision-making to improve student performance and strengthen home-school communication, guiding interventions and supporting faculty… ..more
By Angela Romney
26-Mar-25
Reflecting on managing workload, balancing work and personal life, and considering work-life integration for wellbeing... ..more
By Elke Greite
26-Feb-25
One of the most powerful ways to spark creative thinking is through a simple yet profound question... ..more
By Sophie Maclang and Natasha Winnard
12-Feb-25
A reflection on multicultural upbringing, the challenges of constant relocation, and how these experiences shape teaching and parenting... ..more
By Trae Holland
12-Feb-25
Despite everything, schools persist, nurturing students with the talents, compassion, and resilience to fulfill all our aspirations for a better world… ..more
By Hanna Munsiff, Grade 12 student
12-Mar-25
A student’s reflection on her experience of moving to a new country, capturing the emotional challenges of losing one life while gradually adapting to a new world… ..more
By Rafael Oscar Espinal Trejo
05-Nov-25
In this Pearl, Rafael shares a heartfelt reflection on the power of empathy in education and the importance of seeing each child as an individual before focusing on performance or outcomes... ..more
By Jinjie Shi
08-Oct-25
Highlighting the paradox that while leaders are expected to support others' wellbeing, they frequently neglect their own... ..more
By Steve Petraglia
13-Aug-25
In this Pearl, Steve shares a reminder that cuts through the noise of back-to-school planning: prioritize wellbeing, both yours and your students’... ..more
By Diana Rosberg and Bridget McNamer
13-Aug-25
Eryn uses her bipolar diagnosis to leverage creativity, feedback, and self-awareness to lead effectively, proving neurodiversity can strengthen school leadership... ..more
By Tara Gabriel
07-May-25
When we proactively teach students how to care for their mental and emotional health, we lay the groundwork for stronger learning, connection, and growth… ..more
By Jeremy Majeski
07-May-25
Leading with vulnerability helps school leaders build trust and connection—especially during the emotional final stretch of the school year... ..more
By Sandy Sheppard
09-Apr-25
ISY students led a health initiative through service learning, nurturing compassion, and collaboration to improve the lives of local children... ..more
By Indi Alford, Colleen Coady, Liv Gregor, Jessica Hajee, Michael Maldonado, Shelly Maldonado, and Dr. Deedre Werner
09-Apr-25
A comprehensive plan to support families and staff during uncertain times, focusing on communication, emotional support, and community-building... ..more
By Mushfiqua Zabeen
19-Nov-25
International educators often face unseen loneliness abroad; by fostering belonging and intentional connection, schools can help teachers feel seen and supported... ..more
By Bosmat Kochavi
22-Oct-25
As schools prioritize student wellbeing, proactively and systematically measuring it has become essential rather than optional... ..more
By Mushfiqua Zabeen
24-Sep-25
Burnout after 50 isn’t collapse; it’s quiet compromise. Discover small fixes for balance, health, and sustainable energy abroad... ..more
By Conny Brock
10-Sep-25
It's important to occasionally return to the learner’s seat: to stumble, to stretch, to grow. Learning a student’s language is about fulfilling a universal need to make others feel seen and understood... ..more
By Tammy Dang-Le
07-May-25
Not having resilience and emotional regulation will leave our students unprepared for life’s setbacks, no matter how intelligent they may be... ..more
By Viviane Imhof-Braun and Natasha Winnard
23-Apr-25
The parent of three TCK students shares her insights on how schools and educators can support globally mobile kids… ..more
By Mona Stuart
12-Mar-25
How do stories of feeling erased have the best chance of becoming stories of wellbeing… ..more
By Gera Klijnsma and Natasha Winnard
12-Mar-25
An international educator and TCK parent shares insights on raising and supporting globally mobile children in dynamic, changing environments... ..more
By Rachida Dahman
26-Feb-25
In honoring children as autonomous beings with their own stories and inalienable emotions, we unlock the relationships that make learning meaningful… ..more
By Donica Merhazion
26-Feb-25
Psychological safety, co-regulation, and routines create trust, reduce anxiety, and promote learning in supportive classrooms... ..more
By Donica Merhazion
29-Jan-25
Teachers shape spaces based on their view of safety, but learning requires meeting students' needs. How can we ensure students feel safe… ..more
By Dr. Helen Kelly
15-Jan-25
In international schools, workplace culture is a crucial determinant of student outcomes and school effectiveness... ..more
+ 2024
By Mary Opalenik
13-Mar-24
A reflection on two decades of international teaching experience and the importance of considering how to approach the issue of human rights and social justice… ..more
By Nigel Winnard
17-Jan-24
Schools and parents need to get on the same page when it comes to teaching about ethics and moral choices, as well as supervision, around online access… ..more
By Karen Hurworth
11-Dec-24
Exploring possible reasons for burnout in educators and strategies for how it might be avoided in order to maintain one's mental health... ..more
By Riedwaan Kader
11-Dec-24
During recruitment season it’s important to stay grounded, take care of your mental health, and remain open to opportunities that come your way… ..more
By Kailyn Fullerton
11-Sep-24
Embracing emotions in the classroom is important for students and educators… ..more
By Amber Ham
14-Aug-24
Adopting the proverb "slow but steady" contributes to building a successful, unified team by providing insights for achieving steady and sustainable progress… ..more
By Chloe, Grade 11 student, Luca, Grade 8 student, and Rachel George
11-Dec-24
SEL is integral to a holistic educational approach, fostering personal growth and active student participation... ..more
By Dallin Bywater
05-Jun-24
With the welfare and body autonomy of children as guiding points, schools need to develop a healthy and culturally sensitive culture around touch… ..more
By Veronica McDaniel and Hermine Morrell
22-May-24
We hope others will join in our movement to confront human trafficking through student activism… ..more
By Robert D. Cantwell
22-May-24
An in-depth exploration of the transformative potential inherent in drawing within educational contexts… ..more
By Megan Vosk and Shafali
10-Apr-24
To face the challenges of today’s world, we need the mental and emotional capacity to see clearly, look deeply, and reflect carefully… ..more
By Louise Franklin
27-Mar-24
Having tough conversations with those who have what you deem problematic beliefs is no easy feat and can be very bumpy along the way… ..more
By Dallin Bywater
13-Mar-24
Academic research underlines the importance of positive teacher-student relationships for creating an effective education environment… ..more
By Bryony Maxted Miller
20-Nov-24
In this Pearl, Bryony shares her story of centralizing joy as she transitioned from a classroom teacher to a leadership position... ..more
By Claire Febrey
09-Oct-24
In this Pearl, Claire shares her insights on the importance of self-reflection and rejuvenation and shares practical strategies for implementation... ..more
By Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman
19-Jun-24
This episode discusses the upcoming “Power of Play” summer podcast series, the importance of play, and introduces and shares a free resource… ..more
By Elliot Tohver-Kirby
14-Aug-24
A survey by Tes reveals educational respondents believe there’s a rise in safeguarding concerns; however, confidence in reporting by staff and pupils is up…. ..more
As we embark on another school year, it's beneficial to reflect on strategies that enhance our school culture and support our staff... ..more
By Richelle Pearce
14-Feb-24
The power of the narrative not only drives vision and curriculum implementation but has the power to inspire, enthuse, and move people to action… ..more
By Nicholas Forde
06-Nov-24
The anticipation of the event mirrors the mixture of emotions tied to moving to teach internationally for the first time. Are you ready to make the leap… ..more
By Gavin Kinch
06-Nov-24
School leaders should foster a "hello" culture, intentionally promoting belonging for each student through simple acknowledgements… ..more
By Sarah Reich and Dr. Alan Knobloch
14-Feb-24
How the International School of Hamburg adopted a holistic approach to sustainable nutrition in school… ..more
By Laura James
23-Oct-24
It has never been more important to facilitate social and emotional learning in early years education to nurture independent and confident young individuals… ..more
By Gavin Kinch
09-Oct-24
How do we as teachers and school leaders create nurturing environments that cultivate relationships that matter and persist through times of difficulty… ..more
By Francesca Mulazzi
14-Aug-24
There is clear evidence that smartphones impact students' mental health, behavior, focus, and relationships. Urgent interventions are needed to support students… ..more
By Bruce Gilbert
19-Jun-24
“Somebody could get hurt” playground rules are misguided. Play is essential for children’s physical development and wellbeing… ..more
By Gavin Kinch
08-May-24
I have a responsibility to look after my own wellbeing, and this requires self-assessment, effort, action, and maintenance… ..more
By Luz Stella Martinez
24-Apr-24
Prioritizing one’s wellbeing is not only an act of self-care and compassion but a demonstration of courage… ..more
By Tim Logan
13-Mar-24
In this episode, Matthew Savage, former Principal of an award-winning international school, discusses helping schools use data wisely and well… ..more
By Dr. Niki Melanidou
17-Jan-24
Metacognition empowers these students to better understand their own learning processes, strengths, and areas where they might need additional support… ..more
By international school students, Switzerland
08-May-24
We thought that it was an accessible way to get people to start preserving nature… ..more
By international school students, Australia
28-Feb-24
My brother is driving in the video, and we wanted to explore that just one distraction can be fatal... ..more
+ 2023
By Bruce Gilbert
11-Oct-23
Emotion and self-regulation skill deficits lead to ineffective punitive reactions from educators and can have disastrous consequences for students… ..more
By Anthony Gonsalves
27-Sep-23
In the end, it's not just about meeting deadlines; it's about empowering students to become lifelong learners... ..more
By Matthew Kloosterman
16-Aug-23
Digital organization reduces cerebral demands and minimizes the amount of thinking used to find files and documents, protecting finite mental resources… ..more
By Megan Vosk and Shafali
06-Dec-23
Drawing on survey data collected from students, explore the concepts of belonging and examine ways to foster it… ..more
By Doline Ndorimana
13-Sep-23
A few guidelines that can help us maintain our sense of self and wellbeing so that we can do this important, complex, and rewarding work… ..more
By Megan Vosk and Shafali
15-Mar-23
Digital storytelling is a powerful way to foster project-based, deep-inquiry learning in the classroom and give students voice and choice, valuing their ideas… ..more
By Paula Brunning
01-Feb-23
Integrating social-emotional learning through the curriculum supports each child’s developmental needs and ensures students feel connected and cared for… ..more
By Lyn Thompson Lemaire
06-Dec-23
Some constants have begun to emerge, as every new cohort brings new lessons and insights into understanding the needs of internationally mobile students… ..more
By Marci Carrel
06-Dec-23
The impact of canine companionship at the American School of Bombay… ..more
By Lena Lee and Natasha Winnard
11-Oct-23
One adult third culture kid shares her experiences to help guide parents raising globally mobile children… ..more
By Shyamalika Nagendra
08-Nov-23
Social and emotional learning transcends the confines of designated learning spaces within the school… ..more
By Mark Wilson
11-Oct-23
Schools should not adopt a one size fits all approach to onboarding international families… ..more
By Rae Merrigan
22-Nov-23
A seventh-grade science project in the Peruvian Amazon allowed for the development of important social-emotional skills… ..more
By Keeyoung Ryu and Natasha Winnard
08-Nov-23
We often underestimate the full extent of the challenges globally mobile children and their families face… ..more
By Bridget McNamer
19-Jul-23
There are plenty of ways schools can incorporate physical movement and sporting activities without emphasizing the super-competitive aspect… ..more
By Douglas Kidd
11-Oct-23
Reconsidering the discourse around wellbeing in schools and problematizing the increasing trend of wellbeing measurement… ..more
By Lena Lee and Natasha Winnard
13-Sep-23
An interview with author and former international school student, Lena Lee, about her experiences growing up moving every three years… ..more
By Nick DeForest
16-Aug-23
Ideas to help educators, especially athletic directors, balance the work/life responsibilities during the summer months… ..more
By Rachida Dahman
16-Aug-23
Schools have a responsibility to create environments that are conducive to open discussions, free from aggression, and safe for authentic conversations… ..more
By Amanda Long
29-Mar-23
How can educators, parents, and caregivers be more proactive in identifying warning signs and providing initial support for youth mental health… ..more
By Dr. Rebecca Bower and Steven Ayling
01-Mar-23
For cross cultural kids, global mobility is an inextricable part of their experience growing up within the international school community… ..more
By Dallin Bywater
15-Feb-23
Tune into the naturally occurring opportunities to encourage and respect body autonomy in order to create a safer and healthier educational environment… ..more
By Dr. Helen Kelly
15-Mar-23
Around half of international school leaders say that work-related stress affects their ability to do their job well… ..more
By Rose Marie Dzugan and Christopher Corby
15-Mar-23
Now more than ever, our children need help processing emotions, building relationships, and connecting with others in meaningful exchanges... ..more
By Lesley Tait
15-Feb-23
A simple idea that has had a sincere impact on creating a sense of belonging… ..more
By Natasha Winnard
26-Apr-23
Strategies to support international educators whose children go overseas to university. What you can do to create independent wellbeing… ..more
By Natasha Winnard
29-Mar-23
Strategies to support international educators whose children go overseas to university. What can you do to help them create good habits and routines… ..more
By Natasha Winnard
01-Mar-23
Strategies to support international educators whose children go overseas to university… ..more
By Damian Bacchoo
01-Feb-23
Noticing is the root of belonging. And belonging is, I think, the root of happy and healthy children... ..more
By Ross Parker
18-Jan-23
Parents, educators, and policymakers need to critically re-evaluate what screens are doing to our young… ..more
+ 2022
By Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman
09-Nov-22
If our SEL lessons do not include conversations about the effects of social media… ..more
By Dr. Ben Fishman
23-Nov-22
Play and unscheduled time that allows for peer interactions are important components of social-emotional learning… ..more
By Christian Polizzi
17-Aug-22
Supporting international school students as they transition into a new school and culture can help improve their social-emotional wellbeing... ..more
By John Mikton
17-Aug-22
Dr. Helen Kelly shares learnings from her research, work, and workshops on wellbeing... ..more
By Katherine Clemmens
07-Dec-22
Living to get through everything stops you from seeing how valuable that moment really is… ..more
By Dzenana Kurtovic-Ceman
13-Jul-22
A teacher reflects on a day in the life of an international school student who identifies as Black and Muslim, capturing the daily challenges faced by many in our schools... ..more
By Celeste Krochak
26-Oct-22
A small mental shift can make a big impact on your ability to view life from a solid foundation of gratitude… ..more
By Aleksandra Golder
12-Oct-22
A short reflection activity reminds us that simple moments can have a great impact on our students’ wellbeing... ..more
By Clara Williams
14-Sep-22
We need to actively promote and demonstrate conflict solving and working with the whole community… ..more
By Julie Stern and Mihai Catrinar
08-Jun-22
In this episode, Cheryl-Ann Weekes talks mental health, resilience, and self-compassion... ..more
By Mick Amundson-Geisel
22-Jun-22
A group of students formed the ISY “Student Support Group” to take action in assisting the wellbeing of their classmates in a time of mental health crisis... ..more
By Bernadette Roberts
25-May-22
After a two-year break from “real” formally assessed exams, the upcoming exam period is sure to be more daunting than ever… ..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 Ben Fishman
02-Feb-22
Today’s school counselors play an integral role in schools, but sometimes old stereotypes can limit the understanding of how they can help and support students. ..more
+ 2021
By Amira Hachem
10-Nov-21
Yoga and mindfulness equip our learners with tools to promote focus, greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and compassion. ..more
By Ann Marie Christian
10-Nov-21
Safeguarding and child protection awareness went global in 1989 with UNICEF Rights of the Child. However, it is not yet consistent across the world and children are still at risk of harm. ..more
By Eleni Vardaki and Megan Norton
10-Nov-21
Good time management is important for any teen’s well-being and academic success - and even more so for Third Culture Kid (TCK) teens who are constantly moving. ..more
By Dr. Tiffani Razavi
27-Oct-21
In a year when human life in all its facets, physical and mental, was dominated by COVID-19, the World Happiness report focuses entirely on the effect of the pandemic. ..more
By Natasha Winnard
27-Oct-21
Working with the children of our colleagues requires us to pay attention to the positionality of these children, for whom school and home can become all too easily intertwined. ..more
By Cheryl-Ann Weekes, M.Ed
13-Oct-21
When we listen to students and allow them to speak without judgement, we create spaces where they can be safe to make mistakes, and to make amends. ..more
By Huiney Xu and Ben Fishman
15-Sep-21
During prolonged periods of quarantine,it’s important to keep in mind healthy ways to manage anxiety and keep connected. ..more
By Jessica Huang
01-Sep-21
This is a call to normalize the space that we all need to humanize this moment. To leave space for all that we and young people need in order to journey on a path to healing and create a more liberating school environment ..more
By Jaleea Price
06-Jul-21
A small group of International School Bangkok (ISB) students were guided by professors as they literally connected their embodied knowledge to the laboratory testing capabilities of motion analysis. ..more
By Laurie Forrester
06-Jul-21
How have schools pivoted to meet the needs of students and families in the last year? What have we learned about ourselves, our students, and our supports in complex times? ..more
By Jill Alali
06-Jul-21
Fairgreen International School is the first school in Dubai to introduce a revolutionary, data-driven system of movement screening and remediation to promote optimal physical wellbeing for its students. ..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 John Mikton
22-Jun-21
For John Mikton, the pandemic has felt personal. So in the epistolary tradition, he has written a letter to COVID from the perspective of an educator and school leader charged with heading up his school's COVID Task Force and juggling the nuisances and complexity of the situation. ..more
By Sally Robertson
08-Jun-21
80 students from 10 schools in 9 countries on 4 continents collaborated to produce 60 stories in Hear It Out – A memoir of an extraordinary year, a performance project that celebrates real life stories and creates a significant piece of collective oral history. ..more
By Alistair Goold
25-May-21
In his Action Research Project, Alistair Goold examined the role that restorative justice practices can play for international families in transition, using his own family as a case study as they moved during the Covid-19 pandemic and faced a perfect storm of challenges. ..more
By Alexandra Bates
25-May-21
A graduating senior at Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Lima, Peru offers a beautiful reflection on her first day at the new school, capturing the anxiety and trepidation that so many international students experience in transitioning but also the enriching experiences of growth in community. ..more
By Dr. Howard De Leeuw
25-May-21
Has 2020-21 been a stressful time for you as a parent, student, teacher, or staff member? Yes? Now here's the real question: is stress harmful and to be avoided, reduced, managed, or is it rather helpful? ..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 Shwetangna Chakrabarty
06-May-21
Students at Utahloy International School Guangzhou (UISG), in Guangzhou, China decided to focus on staff and student wellbeing to mark Teacher Appreciation Week and organized five days of fun and fundraising. ..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 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
By Mark G. Harrison, Stephen E. Chatelier, and Elke M. Van dermijnsbrugge
13-Apr-21
Wellbeing has become an area of increasing focus for schools right across the world, including in international schools which continue to largely serve the privileged. One consequence is that wellbeing has been added to the ever-growing list of things for which teachers are responsible. ..more
By Heather Cronk and Ben Fishman
13-Apr-21
In the interest of advocating for the rights for all children, supporting at-risk children, and sharing best practices for child protection, Heather Cronk led the effort to create a Child Protection Advocacy Network in Kenya. She shares the story to encourage others on this path. ..more
By Anne Keeling, ISC Research
15-Mar-21
ISC Research, which tracks the world’s international schools, has released a new report of research into how the wellbeing of students and staff at international schools has been affected by COVID-19. ..more
By Dr Karen L. Taylor
03-Mar-21
Thinking routines are pedagogical tools that promote the development of critical thinking skills. This doesn’t happen by accident. Classroom teachers work hard to create an environment in which such powerful learning experiences take place. ..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 Dr Karen L. Taylor
02-Feb-21
Understanding and correcting one’s mistakes offers critical learning, but getting there can be tricky, particularly in a context that traditionally viewed mistakes as failure. The classroom environment must foster conditions in which students can view them as learning opportunities. ..more
David L. Di Maria Associate Vice Provost for International Education, University of Maryland
16-Feb-21
Associate Vice Provost for International Education at the University of Maryland feels that President Biden’s rollbacks on former President Trump’s travel restrictions signal new opportunities for international students. ..more
By David Willows
02-Feb-21
When Amanda Gorman stood at the podium on the Capitol steps a couple of weeks ago and recited her poem for the new president, the world was once again offered a lesson on why words do matter after all. ..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 ACS Press Office
02-Feb-21
Open to all interested in building a better, more sustainable future, "The world needs global citizens" will be hosted by ACS International School Hillingdon on Tuesday 9 February and will feature a number of speakers who will share perspectives on the global challenges before us. ..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 Susanna Thomas
06-Jan-21
Grieving the loss of her dear friend, Susanna Thomas is finding it difficult to return to the classroom routine as the second term gets under way. What supports exist for educators experiencing profound grief? And when will we start talking about the issue in earnest? ..more
By Mick Amundson-Geisel
06-Jan-21
The Myanmar International School Counselors Association (MISCA) has allowed its members to stay connected professionally and offer mutual support. But it has also empowered students to pursue their personal and educational goals. ..more
+ 2020
By Cheryl-Ann Weekes
23-Dec-20
Cheryl-Ann Weekes believes it is never too early to help students understand the need for consent and encourages all counselors to start having conversations on this critical topic. Because the absence of a no is not a yes. ..more
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 Jon Nordmeyer, TIE columnist
08-Dec-20
I’ve heard from many teachers that this school year feels like starting over again. We have been asking, and trying to answer, really important questions. If we could have a conversation with our first-year teaching self, what advice would we give? ..more
By Emily Meadows & Daniel Wickner
08-Dec-20
In an effort to improve antiracist practice, Emily Meadows and Daniel Wickner discuss intent in relation to impact and share a series of infographics that cover topics such as cultural appropriation, color blindness, microaggressions, white privilege, and more. ..more
By ACS Press Office
08-Dec-20
ACS International School Hillingdon has become the first school in Europe to offer the Global Citizens Diploma (GCD), a qualification that acknowledges all of the exceptional citizenship and service-related activities students undertake to become global citizens.  ..more
By Renea Bartlett Pope
25-Nov-20
How are teachers refining their practices today in response to diverse students’ needs in remote modalities? Renea Bartlett Pope spoke with colleagues around the world and reports on three major shifts that will likely carry over into post-pandemic schooling. ..more
By Theo Wilhelm
25-Nov-20
Teaching from home while parenting is hard. Parenting at home while teaching is hard. Could it be, however, that teachers, parents, and students are all learning and growing from these challenges in new and important ways? ..more
By Michael Griffin
25-Nov-20
“Will this be fun?” students often want to know. Too much focus on instant gratification can be problematic for children’s development. Fun and enjoyment are not the same. Effortful experiences such as writing result in enjoyment while building self-esteem and self-growth. ..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
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 Antony Winch & Robin Neal
14-Oct-20
In 2018, FIS introduced an Instructional Coaching program that has brought positive results and become a useful tool for nurturing transformative pedagogical change, even through the pandemic, when positive coaching relationships have grown even stronger. ..more
By Debbie Stanton & Tanya Coffey
30-Sep-20
As parents, you may be wondering what role you can play in supporting your children through this unusual return to school, making sure that they feel safe and secure, but also that they are resilient to the challenges and ready to accept and embrace the new classroom normal. ..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 Anne Keeling, ISC Research
15-Sep-20
A new report published by ISC Research and Next Frontier Inclusion describes inclusion practices and trends within the world’s international schools market. A total of 207 international schools from 69 countries were surveyed; students with learning needs are present in most. ..more
By Robbie Jefferiss
15-Sep-20
Here in Singapore, we do an exercise with our Grade 11 students, asking them to visualize their future lives at age 30. COVID-19 rendered the exercise more fraught than usual. Flexibility of thinking may be one of the greatest strengths we can impart to our students at this time. ..more
By Daniel Wickner
03-Sep-20
Like other BIPOC individuals, Daniel Wickner feels as though he has earned a Ph.D. in Race and Culture, decades in the making. He uses that extensive knowledge and experience to support his students as they explore and construct their complex racial and cultural identities. ..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 Sena Chang
03-Sep-20
The abrupt change in pedagogy at The American School in Japan (ASIJ) brought on by the pandemic has sparked many conversations about the effectiveness and value of digital learning. Three middle schoolers shared their views with ASIJ student Sena Chang. ..more
By Matthew Dicks
15-Jul-20
We might be raising the first generation of children who truly understand the value of school and appreciate all of the educational opportunities that have been afforded to them. Unfortunately, it is coming at great cost. ..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 Lauren Mehrbach, Chris Beingessner and Chris Raymaakers
03-Sep-20
Reimagining school during the pandemic is a global re-creation. Students disembarked the buses at Singapore American School, excited for their first full day of in-person school since March. In many ways it resembled the start of the 2019-20 school year. But it wasn't. ..more
By Heidi Dyck Hilty
15-Jul-20
Racism in international schools sounds like a misquote. There can’t be racism in international schools; it goes against everything we’re supposed to believe in, against everything we say we promote. And yet... ..more
By Douglas Unger
15-Jul-20
Teaching literature-in-translation, especially by contemporary writers, is one way to approach expanding diversity in both what and how students learn. This is one of the primary missions of Words Without Borders Campus. ..more
By Nafisa Mustafa, Age 10
15-Jul-20
"Throughout this learning experience, I have missed many things, but the biggest one is socializing. Being there in the physical classroom with the teacher was better and easier, for some inexplicable reason." ..more
By Jazz Victoria Griffiths, Grade 8
18-Jun-20
Without a doubt, this remote learning experience has brought both positives and negatives. At times I’ve been tearing out my hair, whereas at other moments I’m basking in a state of Zen that I’d never possessed while engaged in standard schooling. ..more
By Azzah Abrar Dar, Age 10
18-Jun-20
This time pause has the power to teach me new things every day, Utilize every moment positively, keeping your gadgets at bay. Watching a movie together and these endless family chats, have the power to mellow down, even the nasty spoiled brats. ..more
By Rahaf Ala’aldin Yousef Mishael, Grade 8
18-Jun-20
We needed to grow smarter and more productive and thus created a new routine for our days, to keep us busy, healthy, and happy. We have uncovered new hobbies and tried to find ways to calm ourselves down during breakdowns and stressful moments. ..more
By Darnell Fine
04-Jun-20
Social justice facilitator Darnell Fine shares a reflection inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King. As international educators, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” ..more
By Shwetangna Chakrabarty, TIE blogger
04-Jun-20
Sadly, international mindedness in today’s context only means diversity in the student body, not the teaching staff. I persevere to teach antiracism and international mindedness, even when I am a victim of racism and discrimination. ..more
By Betsy Grabb Suits
18-Jun-20
Six weeks ago, I caught one of the last flights out of Laos where all schools closed due to the Coronavirus 19. My mom had been in the hospital during this pandemic and was home under Hospice Care. I didn’t think I would make it back in time to see her again. ..more
By Gregory R. van Goidtsnoven
22-May-20
Learning a foreign language is not simply about understanding the vocabulary, and it requires much more than simply the ability to “pass.” These reductive perceptions don’t begin to take into account the complexity of systems at work in language development. ..more
Pam Mundy, ACS International Schools board trustee and Early Childhood education specialist, advocates the value of play in early years and primary years education, and, while children are still learning at home, has shared her advice for how parents can leverage the power of play activities to drive development and learning outcomes. ..more
By Heidi Laws & Donna Bracewell
06-May-20
The new Life-Centered Education program at ISK is designed to serve students who have a diagnosed intellectual or developmental disability and require individualized academic and social skill instruction. ..more
By Juliette Harik
08-Apr-20
The American School of Doha, in collaboration with the ASD National Honor Society (NHS), has pledged to make education available to children in the Machakos county of Kenya. ASD officially announces the Alfardan Group as the Sponsor Premier of the Machakos Education Center. ..more
By Denise Wee
17-Feb-20
Bloomberg reports Hong Kong’s international schools are bracing for an exodus of families from the city, with some warning they may have to shut for good after the government suspended classes to prevent the spread of coronavirus. ..more
By Proserpina Dhlamini-Fisher
03-Jan-20
Taking time off from schools is something I have done several times in my career and have enjoyed immensely. I was saddened to realize that my friend did not feel comfortable taking time away, fearing that recruiters would judge my friend harshly for this protracted absence. ..more
+ 2019
By Tabitha Davis and Caitlin Tegenfeldt
19-Dec-19
Every August we welcome a new group of students into our classrooms. At the same time, we tend to assume that returning students will not need social support in transitioning to our grade level. Unfortunately, these assumptions can be incorrect. ..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 Andrew Ranson
13-Nov-19
International schools everywhere are seeking ways to help their students live the core values of the mission statements that define school communities. Five years ago, in our work as coaches of the high school girls’ volleyball team, my colleague and I began an experiment. ..more
The news in brief from all corners of the education field: dangers of early school enrollment, international enrollment in U.S. way down, flipping an entire school day, U.S. schools hiring teachers from overseas, ranking U.K. schools, dropping standardized testing. ..more
By Helen Kelly
20-Jun-19
In the Asian context, bringing teachers around to the need for change in working toward future-ready learning is only one piece of the puzzle. It is just as important that parents support the direction in which a school intends to move. ..more
By Derrick C. des Vignes
18-Jul-19
There are many ideas about what education ought to be as we look to the future. Positive education has proven to be a pathway toward a flourishing life that can transform our world. I would like to offer a simple concept: education is about the search for freedom. ..more
By Helen Kelly
22-May-19
Successful change leadership in this context involves leaders not only developing a vision for future-ready learning and providing structures for implementation but also attending to the emotional climate in which they are operating. ..more
By Jared Maisel
24-Apr-19
Concussions have gained increased notoriety in media, sports, and academia over the last 10 to 20 years. This is for good reason. Researchers have found a correlation in risk for neurological disorders with chronic blows to the head and concussion mismanagement. ..more
By Alice Brown & Kate Ginn
24-Apr-19
Last year, the International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP) offered six scholarships to students from the Cambodian Children's Fund. Now, following a tough two-month process, another CCF cohort is about to join the first. ..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 Barry Sutherland
18-Jan-19
International School Phnom Penh decided it was time to review its assistance program with a view to providing opportunities for very poor students—the ones most international schools choose not to serve. What ensued was an inspiring, impactful, and sometimes painful experience. ..more
+ 2018
By Ettie Zilber
28-Nov-18
Host-country staff is sometimes overlooked in planning orientation programs. HCS all play vital roles in the school and need training and orientation in order to make sense of their interactions with foreigners within the community. ..more
By Anita Brady
19-Dec-18
Drawing on Eriksonian theory, Dr. Joyce Mills works to improve behavior through expressive methods. Combining a strong belief in the power of telling stories and the importance of play, Dr. Mills’ StoryPlay® emphasizes cultural diversity, natural healing abilities, and creative solutions. ..more
By Anita Brady
19-Dec-18
Drawing on Eriksonian theory, Dr. Joyce Mills works to improve behavior through expressive methods. Combining a strong belief in the power of telling stories and the importance of play, Dr. Mills’ StoryPlay® emphasizes cultural diversity, natural healing abilities, and creative solutions. ..more
By Nicole Schmidt
23-May-18
People’s reactions vary widely when they find out that my husband and I have both resigned from our jobs at the Luanda International School and plan to load up our 2007 Land Cruiser with two tents and two boys. ..more
By Tiffani Razavi
14-Oct-18
A recent report by the Making Caring Common Project of the Harvard Graduate School of Education calls attention to the values at the core of education as the potential foundation for real social change. ..more
By Tamara Studniski
06-Dec-18
At Xiamen International School (XIS), Secondary Principal Peter Burnside led a discussion with teachers that resulted in an agreement: limiting phone use to academic purposes was worth a try. Burnside, an avid guitar player, had an idea: why not give them instruments? ..more
By Meadow Hilley, TIE Editor
03-Oct-18
Christian Long is an educator, designer, school planner, edtech expert, and passionate advocate for innovative learning communities. He is also a longtime camp counselor. TIE Editor Meadow Hilley had the chance to chat with Christian about ways school might act more like camp. ..more
By Matt Piercy
06-Dec-18
For the past six decades, The American Cooperative School of Tunis (ACST) has embraced this inevitable change. Recently, this manifested in the reinstatement for the 2018–19 academic year of the previously discontinued Tunisian Studies trips, or Week Without Walls Program. ..more
Laurin Gschwenter (Grade 8), American International School Vienna
27-Sep-18
It’s a Friday afternoon. I have social studies class… boring. I’m supposed to do a task on zoomin. Instead, I take out my phone, stand up and sit someplace where my professor can’t notice me. Instantly, my other mate takes his phone out too... ..more
By Cynthia Nagrath, TIE Staff Writer
20-Apr-18
Spiritual guru and best-selling author Eckhart Tolle tells us, if you want to start meditating, take one conscious breath in and one conscious breath out. In his book, Mindful Teacher, Mindful School, international school veteran Kevin Hawkins takes this instruction to the next level by laying out a practical and insightful guide on how teachers can bring mindfulness to the classroom by first bringing it into their own lives and daily practice. ..more
By Joy Jameson
28-Nov-18
When considering a job offer, usually the mind quickly moves to the monetary salary, location, and responsibilities. What will I be doing and how much money will I be paid? However, it’s also important, and perhaps even more crucial, to consider the emotional salary you will earn with the position. ..more
By Ilana Amar-Leshem
25-Aug-18
The Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in children of all ages has, in the last decade, become virtually as frequent a diagnosis as for the common cold. I would like to bring to your attention some alternative medicine methods and treatments that can help your child or student concentrate and thrive in the classroom and at home. ..more
By Kristen Moreland
28-Jul-18
We hear the talk of self care all school year, but how committed to it are you? Here are 5 simple things I’m going to do this summer to heal any new wounds (or re-opened old ones) and come back even stronger than ever for 2018-19. ..more
By Meadow Hilley, TIE Editor
30-Mar-18
Over the past dozen years, Will Richardson has become an outspoken advocate for change in schools worldwide. Writing and speaking about the intersection of social online learning networks and education, Will has worked with educators in over 20 countries to understand the opportunities and challenges of learning in the modern world. ..more
By Derrick des Vignes and Jocelyn Wiley
30-Mar-18
Our biggest challenge as learners is prioritizing reflection in our busy lives, instead of filling what we perceive as empty spaces in our schedules with something else, whether in the name of connectivity or productivity. ..more
By Sophia Campbell & Natalia Mazhar, Grade 9 High School Students
14-Oct-18
We tackled this student “clique” issue by writing personalized notes to each student in Grade 9 with the goal of building community and showing each person that they are noticed, accepted, and appreciated for who they are. ..more
By Kimberly Fradale
07-Jun-18
I’ve found The Harkness Method, a collaborative form of class discussion, to be a pedagogical tool that improved my students’ performance, and I hope it can serve as a tool to help you. Here are some of the major challenges Harkness helps to address. ..more
By Robyn S. Harwood
07-Jun-18
How can I do the most good? How can little ol’ me make a genuine impact on the next generation? I believe that all educators are asking themselves these questions all the time. This is why we all got into education in the first place, to make an impact and make the world just a little bit better, one child at a time. The big question is: How? ..more
By Jennifer Ann Aquino
14-Feb-18
Rather than perpetuate the cycle of anxiety-stress-unhappiness, exploring the university admissions process should be an opportunity for our students to learn more about themselves and to embrace their unique interests. ..more
By Kevin Hawkins
14-Feb-18
While working as middle school principal at the International School of Prague, I started to teach basic meditation techniques to middle school students who had signed up to take an exploratory class in philosophy and psychology. ..more
By C. M. Rubin
19-Jan-18
All innovators feel challenged at different points; it’s just part of the work. So how do we teach youth that struggle is good, working hard is good, looking back on your mistakes is good, and finding new ways to tackle challenging problems is really good? ..more
By Juli Harrington
02-Feb-18
Saint Maur International School in Yokohama, Japan has an amazing Adult Enrichment Program that offers over 80 classes and tours throughout the year, all led by parents and community members. A Knitting Blankets class has participants knitting for charity. ..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 Sarah Weidman
13-Jan-18
In this era, helping our neuro-diverse and over-stimulated students to hone these particular skills is especially vital. Now more than ever, we need to explicitly teach that success consists of a series of foundational steps in the categories of organization, time management, and studying. ..more
By David Lewis
13-Apr-18
Glowing cheeks. Seeing breath in cold air. Shouts of glee. The sound of skates on ice. It can be cold and dark during the long winter in Kazakhstan, but Almaty International School decided to make it go quicker and have fun while doing it. ..more
By Natasha Broman
31-Aug-18
Recent statistics show that 1 in 10 students under the age of 16 in the U.K. suffer from a diagnosable condition. The U.K. government has rolled out plans to make it compulsory for all schools to teach lessons in personal health and mental wellbeing. ..more
By Matt Harris
04-Apr-18
Screen time is a key element of the hyperconnected world children live in today. Their access to information, entertainment, communication, and now learning is tied more and more to screen time. They need devices to fully experience modern childhood, for better or worse. ..more
By Jeff Johanson
04-Apr-18
Those of us who have spent years in education have inevitably come across bullying and have tried to address its causes and effects with varying degrees of success. The practice can take so many different forms. ..more
By Kelly McKay
11-Aug-18
Themed Theater is a strategy for educators. A theme is chosen, by the teacher and/or students, and a script is written based on the theme. At American International School – Riyadh, students chose to focus on the third-culture experience. ..more
By Terae Soumah and Rhonda Ike
07-Jun-18
Students in Rhonda Ike’s IB art class at the International Community School of Abidjan (ICSA) had the chance to explore the impact of movement on their creativity through their teacher’s graduate work. ..more
+ 1915
By Jennifer Wiegman
01-Apr-15
In this Pearl, Jennifer shares a personal story about how adopting the mindset of "always assume positive intent" transformed her professional relationships... ..more






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