Top Stories

Limitless Learning: A Case Study in Inclusive Education
By Donica Merhazion and Sally Ratemo
Dec 2024
Technology can break down barriers, provide equitable access, and enable all students to engage and excel in inclusive learning environments...

Learning With Teacher Leaders: Takeaways From a Course Facilitator
By Luiz Mello
Jan 2025
A human-centered approach, encouraging readers to consider empathy, flexibility, and continuous professional growth in navigating leadership complexities…

Growing a Culture of Learning
By Mark Hillman
Jan 2025
Georgetown International Academy leveraged strengths-based leadership and the Danielson Framework to improve student outcomes and foster growth…

From Debate to Democracy
By Megan Vosk
Jan 2025
Model UN inspires civic engagement and helps students to develop critical thinking, empathy, and leadership skills…

The Key to Preventing Burnout in International Education
By Karen Hurworth
Dec 2024
Exploring possible reasons for burnout in educators and strategies for how it might be avoided in order to maintain one's mental health...

The Headship Paradox
By Nicholas Alchin
Dec 2024
The biggest demand of the Head of School role is that it requires diametrically opposed, even contradictory, approaches on an ongoing basis...

The Emotional Rollercoaster of International School Recruitment
By Riedwaan Kader
Dec 2024
During recruitment season it’s important to stay grounded, take care of your mental health, and remain open to opportunities that come your way…

Limitless Learning: A Case Study in Inclusive Education

By Donica Merhazion and Sally Ratemo
11-Dec-24

Technology can break down barriers, provide equitable access, and enable all students to engage and excel in inclusive learning environments... ..more

What Does Decolonized International Education Look Like?

By Jaya Ramchandani
06-Nov-24

I believe we are at an inflection point in North-South power relations and have an unwavering belief in the power of education to co-create a better world… ..more

Not a Real International School?

By Gavin Kinch
31-Jan-24

Can a school still be considered “international” if it retains a strong cultural identity from another country… ..more

The Key to Preventing Burnout in International Education

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

The Headship Paradox

By Nicholas Alchin
11-Dec-24

The biggest demand of the Head of School role is that it requires diametrically opposed, even contradictory, approaches on an ongoing basis... ..more

The Emotional Rollercoaster of International School Recruitment

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

All Aboard! Designing an Integrated Studies Journey

By Don Johnson
20-Nov-24

A year 4 class designed a Chiang Mai rail system, integrating science, math, art, and English, fostering real-world critical thinking and creativity skills... ..more

Shifting From Access to Belonging in an Online Hybrid Program

By Damian Rentoule
20-Nov-24

Exploring the need to foster a sense of belonging for online students in a hybrid learning environment rather than just access... ..more

The Power of Why

By Shannon Wislang
06-Nov-24

By providing context and meaning, we engage and inspire our students, helping them internalize values and develop essential life skills… ..more

Leading Without Authority: How to Influence and Inspire

By Riedwaan Kader and Tico Oms
06-Nov-24

For many, success often depends on leading initiatives with people over whom they have no formal authority. How can they win over those who don’t report to them… ..more

What Are Realistic and Effective Emergency Drills and Procedures?

By Mike Mills
06-Nov-24

Prepare your school community for emergencies with practical strategies that ensure safety and clarity while minimizing disruptions… ..more

TIE Welcomes New Editorial Committee Member

With a rich background in international education, Darnell Fine brings a wealth of experience and fresh insights that will further enhance the work we do... ..more

On the Need for Peace Education in International Schools

By D.J. Condon
23-Oct-24

It strikes me that while our international schools may not be taking a stand against aggressor nations, we are not really standing up for peace either... ..more

How To Develop Student Councils to Foster Global Citizenship

By Isabelle Wolfe
23-Oct-24

Student councils serve as an introduction to democracy and give students a voice in the decision-making process… ..more

Creating Connections Through Art

By Cindy-Anne Doubell
09-Oct-24

Happy International Day of Peace! May our lesson inspire you to create your own peace flower painting and share it with someone special… ..more

The Role of Professional Standards in Elevating Teaching Practices for Gen Z Learners

By Lianne Dominguez
25-Sep-24

By embracing professional standards, we don’t just teach—we inspire, empower, and shape the future for every student we serve… ..more

Getting in the Zone for Effective Professional Development

By Dr. Christine Orkisz Lang
25-Sep-24

Leveraging the ZPD can elevate professional development, fostering a balance of challenge and support that leads to meaningful and sustainable growth… ..more

Empowering Students in the Age of AI

By Rachael Thrash
25-Sep-24

We can turn AI from a potential barrier into a powerful tool for authentic learning. A case for student agency in assessment… ..more

Back to School Once More...With Feeling!

By Kailyn Fullerton
11-Sep-24

Embracing emotions in the classroom is important for students and educators… ..more

Sharing Data with Parents

By Suzie Boss
11-Sep-24

This case study describes the strategies that have prepared Zurich International School to launch its innovative data platform for parents… ..more

The Complexities of Head of School Leadership

By Stacy Stephens and Jeff Paulson
11-Sep-24

This series will explore the complexity of the position of Head of School and deep dive into the joys, challenges, and opportunity that come with it… ..more

Seeds of Change: Pursuing a Meaningful, Authentic Learning Experience

By Paul Browne, Nickie Hansen, John Milton, and Megan Vosk
14-Aug-24

A case study exploring the experiences of co-planning and co-teaching, and highlighting how IDUs can enhance the relevance and authenticity of student learning... ..more

Slow but Steady: Unlocking the Secrets to a Successful School Year

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

Building a Data Culture

By Suzie Boss
17-Jul-24

Analytical reasoning and emotional intelligence have helped Oberoi International School create an environment where teachers and students can thrive and grow… ..more

Where Are Students With Rare Diseases in Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives?

By Hadee Panjwani
20-Nov-24

It's not just about raising awareness, but also creating a positive school culture that allows these students to enjoy the same experience as any other… ..more

Equitable and Growth-Focused Teacher Evaluations

By Aparna Sundaram and Lindsay Prendergast
17-Jul-24

To create an environment in which teachers feel inspired to grow and trusted to take risks, we propose the change begins with school leaders… ..more

Embracing Multilingualism in the Classroom

By Miyori Takano
19-Jun-24

A personal reflection on the impact of hegemonic language ideologies in international schools and the benefits of translanguaging… ..more

How Much Money Are International Educators Saving?

By Andrew Hallam
17-Jul-24

Results from the first global financial survey for international educators… ..more

Touch in International Primary Schools: A Practical Approach With a Cultural Lens

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

Cultivating Collective Efficacy Through Inclusive Education

By Claire Farabee
19-Jun-24

We created a catalyst for collaboration, equipping teachers with the skills and insights to drive meaningful change while fostering a shared sense of purpose… ..more

What Are Trust-Based Observations and Why Do We Need Them?

By Craig Randall
05-Jun-24

A case for transforming the teacher evaluation process… ..more

Two Ways To Reflect on Your Year as an Instructional Coach

By Kim Cofino
05-Jun-24

As we wrap up this academic year and transition into school holidays, now is the perfect time to reflect and set intentions for the next academic year… ..more

Keeping Kids Safe Through Whole School Activism

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

Nurturing Social-Emotional Wellbeing Through Visual Literacy

By Robert D. Cantwell
22-May-24

An in-depth exploration of the transformative potential inherent in drawing within educational contexts… ..more

Learn by Doing, Learn by Caring, with Nueva School’s Lee Fertig

By Josh Reppun
08-May-24

This episode dives into the PTC’s commitment to excellence and innovation and the Nueva school, a community dedicated to learning by doing and caring… ..more

Integrating Design Thinking Into Service Learning for Sustainable Impact

By Maciej Sudra
08-May-24

The International School of Kenya shared how they integrated design thinking into service learning for sustainable impact… ..more

Promoting Understanding and Unity Through Neurodivergent Friendly Activities

By Sander van der Velden, Grade 11
08-May-24

A bilingual concert that demonstrated accessibility practices was collaboratively organized at UNIS Hanoi… ..more

Peace

By Kiros, student
24-Apr-24

Peace is not simply tolerating other people and their cultures. I believe that peace is entirely a result of unity. Unity is simply oneness or wholeness… ..more

The Importance of Building Your Story in Secondary School

By Joachim (Kim) Ekstrom
24-Apr-24

Your story is more than just a list of achievements. It encompasses the experiences, challenges, insights, and personal growth that accompany each activity... ..more

The Power of Slowing Down and Silence

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

Instructional Coaching: A Research Endeavor

By Dr. Samantha Olson-Wyman, Dr. Kristen Moreland, and Jordan Benedict
10-Apr-24

We are asking instructional coaches and leaders who support instructional coaching to share their insights and experiences in this survey… ..more

Making the Most of the Experience: A Reflection on Recruiting Fairs

By Nicholas Forde
10-Apr-24

With another school recruiting season almost in the rear-view mirror, it is worthwhile reflecting on what went well and what could be improved… ..more

Including Those Who Think Differently About Inclusion

By Doline Ndorimana and Scott Gillette
27-Mar-24

In this conversation, we are reminded of the necessity of truly listening—not to just hear but to understand the varied voices that make up our communities... ..more

Resilience Through Change: Nurturing Wellbeing in the Complex Pursuit of DEIJ Impact

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

Top Five Elements for an Effective Instructional Coaching Conversation

By Kim Cofino
13-Mar-24

No matter how many coaching conversations you’ve had, there are always opportunities to continue to grow. Give these strategies a try in your next coaching conversation… ..more

De-Siloing Education

By Austin Farwell
13-Mar-24

To foster a culture of collaboration, schools can implement a framework that prioritizes communication, shared goals, and interdisciplinary initiatives… ..more

LIMIT: A Model for Understanding Healthy Teacher-Student Relationships

By Dallin Bywater
13-Mar-24

Academic research underlines the importance of positive teacher-student relationships for creating an effective education environment… ..more

Creating a Culture of Support: Learnings From the Teacher Leader Institute

By Vickie Swann
28-Feb-24

The continuous evolution of the educational landscape offers an opportunity and need for school leadership to empower our middle leaders… ..more

Education, Ethics, and Cheating in the Age of ChatGPT

By Peter Merrick
28-Feb-24

We can reframe the challenge by simply removing the ethical question from the equation… ..more

Enhancing Teacher Agency in Professional Development

By Tina Fossgreen
14-Feb-24

This approach benefits teachers but also positively impacts students, underscoring the importance of teacher agency in shaping the future of education… ..more

Are Our Students Ready To Receive Teacher Feedback?

By Anna Hasic-Wallis
31-Jan-24

We assume that students are as engaged with their learning as we are, that they understand feedback is integral for improvement and growth… ..more

What Do International School Teachers Believe About Multilingualism?

By Dr. Samantha Olson-Wyman and Dr. Esther Bettney Heidt
17-Jan-24

Exploring language ideologies, how they might impact multilingual school communities, and how to shift toward more inclusive beliefs about language… ..more

Why Can’t I Go Too?

By Aindra Nwe Ni Aung, Grade 5
17-Jan-24

A student at the International School Yangon sends a global message using poetry as their tool… ..more

How Are We Innovating Our Education Systems for Lasting Change?

By Paul Magnuson, Irina Lupu, and Shwetangna Chakrabarty
09-Oct-24

Through working together, our voices are louder, and the impact of our work is more likely to be noticed… ..more

Take-Aways From the 2023/ 2024 School Year With the PTC

By Sue Easton
11-Sep-24

In the 2023/2024 school year and June/July courses, 315 schools from 89 countries, and 103 different nationalities were represented... ..more

Reception, Insertion, and Integration of Ukrainian Refugee Students in Luxembourg

By Dr. M. Laura Halladjian and Dr. Lindsay Redinger
14-Aug-24

This case study can set a precedent for successful and efficient management of the reception and integration of refugee students on a large scale… ..more

Nurturing Minds, Bodies, and the Planet

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

Fashioning Identities: How Fashion Shows Can Stimulate Learning in Your Classroom

By Timothy Fuller Bazin, Jungmeen Lee, Calvin Kamphuis, Kasia Martin, and Vasile Lozneanu
31-Jan-24

Seoul Foreign School shares the student learning as well as practices that made it possible to create a project-based learning fashion show… ..more

We Are More Than

By an international school student, USA
31-Jan-24

Ever since I was little, I always noticed how women are thought of as less than men… ..more

Not Your Typical Classroom

By Jeff Lippman and Liz Lee
14-Feb-24

Schools talk about student-led learning but very few actually give students this kind of power, to help shape the spaces where they learn… ..more

Peace

By Kokushubira Joanita Mercy, Grade 12
22-Nov-23

Each piece of student work is evidence that education for Peace is a powerful tool to develop self-awareness, poetic appreciation, and critical thinking… ..more

Building a Culture of Umoja: AISA 2023 Closing Speech

By Estelle Baroung Hughes
08-Nov-23

Global citizenship should be about thinking and taking action, but it should also be about being. When we are at peace, we are more likely to spread peace… ..more

Guidance for Navigating the DEIJ Journey

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

Transgender

By international school students, Morocco
19-Jul-23

Transgender issues are not well-known and discussed, and we wanted to create a video that could help raise awareness… ..more

You Belong Here

By Dr. Emily Meadows
07-Jun-23

Safe Space signs are used to signal that the room they adorn is a “safe space” for all people, particularly LGBTQ+ folks. These signals are important because... ..more

A Call to Action: Part Two

By Debra E. Lane and Ann Marie Luce
24-May-23

There are actions we can take, possibilities we can reimagine, and networks to fix workplaces and create equitable, safe, and productive spaces for all… ..more

Deconstructing and Reconstructing Systems

By Ryan Persaud
24-May-23

Deep, critical work that leads to meaningful change is what is required for the betterment of our school communities… ..more

Tweet Your Way to Fluency: Authentic Language Acquisition

By Raquel Parra and Dr. Yujiro Fujiwara
12-Apr-23

Incorporating social media into language instruction has been found to have several benefits for language learners… ..more

College Counseling Countdown: Part Four

By Shwetangna Chakrabarty
15-Mar-23

Data management and a whole school college counseling program are two key components to being an effective college counselor… ..more

The Mastery Transcript

By Ross Parker
15-Feb-23

An innovative qualification which allows schools to balance the needs of higher education admission with the desire to promote a wider view of learning… ..more

Lessons in Transitions Care

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

Tongues Are Wagging About Wellbeing

By Marci Carrel
06-Dec-23

The impact of canine companionship at the American School of Bombay… ..more

Our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Journey

By Stacy Shipman, Shan Ahmed, Emma Ahmed, John Powell, and Chris Frost
22-Nov-23

AISL's commitment to inclusivity led to the adoption of the Multi-tiered Systems of Support framework which is being implemented with data-driven decision-making… ..more

Embracing Inclusion: A Transformative Journey at the International Community School of Abidjan

By Dr. Heather Naro and Andrea Lillis
22-Nov-23

ICSA’s journey working towards developing a more inclusive school through strong systems of support with a focus on Tier 1 practices… ..more

Amala Education: Bridging the Education Gap

By James Mattiace
22-Nov-23

The hope is to bridge the gap in quality education provision for displaced youth… ..more

Message From Walworth Barbour American International School

By Dr. Devin Pratt
25-Oct-23

The attacks in southern Israel have had a profound impact on the global community and, in very personal ways, the Walworth Barbour American International School community… ..more

Message From Qatar Foundation Schools

By QF Press Office
25-Oct-23

Fostering understanding and empathy for those affected by conflict resonates with Qatar Foundation’s core values of empathy and compassion… ..more

Embracing Hope and Preparing Learners for the Future

By Jessica Schultz
27-Sep-23

By embracing AI with confidence, we can inspire hope and guide student towards a future with endless possibilities and a zest for lifelong learning… ..more

Raising Globally Mobile Children

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

Reflecting on Assessment, and Leading Learning

By John Bray
27-Sep-23

Change in how we assess is happening but slowly. There are ways schools can adapt, even within structures with culminating examinations... ..more

What Are International Schools?

By Yeji Kloosterman and Matthew Kloosterman
27-Sep-23

Due to the nature of working with people from different nations, cultures, and backgrounds, defining the term “international” is challenging... ..more

The Super Team: How To Build Exceptional and Sustainable Teams in Schools

By Eloïse Engel
13-Sep-23

Strategies for building a strong team and an environment that values collaboration and builds trust... ..more

A to Z Teaching Tips for Teachers Everywhere

By Nancy Craker-Yahman
13-Sep-23

Classroom reminders for the start of the new school year… ..more

ChatGPT: Exposing the Need To Re-Evaluate Our Assessment Strategies

By Nickolas Hironao Harris
16-Aug-23

We must take into consideration the various advantages and disadvantages of technology’s educational transformation… ..more

How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education

By Sal Khan
16-Aug-23

Artificial intelligence could spark the greatest positive transformation education has ever seen… ..more

The Relationship Between Restorative Practices and Consequences

By Alistair Goold
19-Jul-23

Restorative practices and consequences are not opposing forces. They should complement one another in fostering a relational and healthy learning environment… ..more

Changemakers and Problem-Solvers

By Aisha Kristiansen
19-Jul-23

Using design thinking and real-world problem-solving assists with developing future-ready skills in our learners… ..more

An Education for Peace and for Human Flourishing

By Conrad Hughes
19-Jul-23

An education for peace can only take root in a whole institutional culture of peace, from what happens in the classroom to the staffroom to board meetings… ..more

Pride: Finding Hope Beyond a Tidal Wave of Intolerance

By Lotus Das-Hyland, Grade 11 student
21-Jun-23

Every day we make the choice to love, as students and as teachers, to love those around us, and to love ourselves… ..more

An Elementary School’s Journey Fostering an Inclusive and Safe Space

By Michael Neumann and Tyler Shepard
21-Jun-23

Through our school-wide celebration of Pride, we aim to cultivate an atmosphere of inclusivity where every member of our community feels valued… ..more

HelpUp: A Volunteering App for Youth by Youth

By Marta Folch
21-Jun-23

Students created an app to connect socially concerned youth with local volunteer opportunities… ..more

Using Food as a Conduit to the Curriculum

By Sandra Carden
07-Jun-23

We have the ability to empower all community members to be changemakers, starting with the food they choose to put in their bodies… ..more

The Catalyst for Change: Why We Chose to Implement International School Standards

By Lianne Dominguez
25-Oct-23

Adopting the international school standards of practice is our collective testament to prioritizing holistic growth… ..more

The Educators’ Network Returns to Ghana Stronger than Ever

By Ron Stiles
07-Jun-23

Teachers with a shared desire to contribute to the teaching profession came together to work to improve learning among Ghanaian students… ..more

Festival of Hope Initiative: A Better World Through International Education

By Shwetangna Chakrabarty
11-Oct-23

Education can serve as an instrument of change, especially in a world grappling with numerous social, political, and environmental issues… ..more

The Importance and Power of Community: A Story From Sudan

By Bridget Davies
24-May-23

Due to the horrendous conflict in Sudan, the KAS community is now scattered throughout the globe but remains committed to education for all our students… ..more

To Be or Not To Be? Encouraging Risk-Taking

By Megan Vosk and Shafali
24-May-23

Risk-taking is a way to be better prepared for the future and is key to making the most of what we have in the present… ..more

Putting Learning Into the Hands of Students Through Self Directed Projects

By Laurence Myers
10-May-23

True learning is a shared conversation with a common goal, growing from doing and reflecting… ..more

Augmenting Entrepreneurial Mindset via Technology

By Uma Shankar Singh
16-Aug-23

Resources and ideas for teaching product design and entrepreneurship courses… ..more

Student Voice: A Case Study of the American School of Guatemala

By Dr. Jaime Brianna Pustis
10-May-23

A look into how one school uses student voice as an innovative opportunity to create meaningful and impactful change… ..more

Creating Spaces for Belonging in Schools Through Courageous Leadership

By Ariane Baer-Harper
10-May-23

The framework for creating the right spaces for belonging begins and ends with good organization and communication... ..more

Within and Without: Facilitating Students’ Authentic Exploration

By Shannon Kerry
10-May-23

Course content can act as a bridge between a student’s inner emotional world and their developing conceptual understanding of the real world… ..more

My Identity as an International Educator

By Sandy Sheppard
26-Apr-23

Maybe we have the wrong title; perhaps instead of teachers, we should be called inspirers, growers of people, change makers, or even box flatteners… ..more

Come With Me: A Picture of Inclusion

By Lauren Jones
12-Apr-23

Children have an innocence and an open-mindedness that allow them to be beautiful examples of what we can be if we open our hearts… ..more

Umoja: A Regional Conference of Unity

By Shwetangna Chakrabarty
25-Oct-23

At the recent AISA conference, Umoja (unity) was not only an idea but a movement, a culture of community that would spread throughout the participants… ..more

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence

By Margareta (Margo) Tripsa
12-Apr-23

Practical ideas to leverage the potential of artificial intelligence… ..more

In Your Own Backyard: Keeping Relevance Post-Hiring Season

By Kenya J. Washington
12-Apr-23

Now that the hiring season is almost coming to a close, we can re-group and re-think how our current faculty and staff are faring in our school environments… ..more

Student Mental Health in Schools

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

What Comes After the Third Year

By David Rojas, Grade 10
15-Mar-23

In this series, students share poems that explore their experiences as multi-locals whose many moves have imprinted on their identities… ..more

Getting Back to the Why: Why is History Such a Key Subject?

By Jeremy Hoover
15-Mar-23

The shift from the role of a historian being a “fount of knowledge” to a “teacher of historical skills” demands a re-evaluation of the why of history… ..more

Supporting Stayers To Thrive: Invest in Your Nest

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

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Considerations Before Signing a New Contract

By Kenya J. Washington
01-Mar-23

You’ve updated your CV, attended the job fair, and you’re ready to sign on the dotted line… ..more

Schools in Turkey Seek Resources From the International School Community

By Melike Ates and Arzu Özçetin
15-Feb-23

Our greatest wish is to see schools become physically, socially, and emotionally safe environments as soon as possible… ..more

Incorporating Consent in International Primary Schools

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

Collaboration is a Mindset, Heartset, and Skillset

By Megan Vosk and Shafali
01-Feb-23

Real collaboration is rooted in vulnerability, trust, and a shared mission. It’s purposeful and meaningful… ..more

A Recruiter's Interview Toolbox

By Kenya J. Washington
01-Feb-23

During the interview process, there are some approaches we may want to hold on to, some we need to avoid doing, and others we may want to move towards… ..more

The Basketball Pipe Dream

By Kate Doxey
16-Aug-23

I couldn’t help but begin to attach my self-esteem to how well I was playing that week. I was a child… ..more

The Importance of Including Voices That Matter

By Juan Jacobs Sheblak
12-Apr-23

The vulnerable and marginalized in our community must have their voices included… ..more

A Framework for Your DEIJ Work

By Ryan Persaud
29-Mar-23

The first in a six-part series providing a step-by-step guide that can be employed by schools to frame their work… ..more

Dr. Jane Goodall Shares Wisdom and Hope With International School Students

By Alona Vendel
26-Apr-23

The world-renowned primatologist and conservationist reminds students that hope is about action… ..more

Do You Have the DEIJ Support You Need During Recruitment Season?

By Dominique Dalais
01-Mar-23

Ideas and thoughts that might help educators of color as they navigate recruitment season in the international school system… ..more

Introducing the AISA DEIJ Guide: Pathways to Transformation

By Chanel Worsteling
08-Nov-23

By utilizing these strategies and resources, schools will be able to effectively promote DEIJ and foster a sense of belonging for all students and educators… ..more

Empowering Change: The Role of the Social Justice Committee

By Chiara Böcker (Grade 12), Sneha Choubey (Grade 9), Anea Boye Eldor (Grade 12), Ivy Fang (Grade 12), Rachel Fields (Grade 12), and Oyinlola Osinoiki (Grade12)
29-Mar-23

Students push for systemic change… ..more

Student Voice: What Drives Change?

Dr. Jaime Brianna Pustis
29-Mar-23

Developing and engaging student voice in schools is an incredible opportunity for students to drive the change they need in a rapidly evolving world… ..more

Instant Orchestra

By William Norris
01-Mar-23

A sustainable and innovative model for music-making within a general music curriculum… ..more

ChatGPT: A Partner in the Future of Learning in Schools

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

#MyFreedomDay: Promoting Student Action Against Human Trafficking

By Veronica McDaniel
15-Feb-23

An invitation to join a global, student-led day of action to raise awareness and take action against human trafficking… ..more

Overcoming Two Common Mindsets Holding Women Back

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

College Counseling Countdown: Part Three

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

Be Transparent and Take Action

By Angela Langlands
29-Mar-23

In her Pearl, Angela encourages educators to “be the Pied Piper of the inclusivity you want to see at your school” through five simple steps… ..more

A Better Way to Talk About Money When Considering Salaries

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

A Seat at the Table: Who’s Invited to the (Hiring) Party?

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

Keys to Supporting Teacher Growth and Development

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

DEIJ Work in International Schools: Maintaining or Defying the System?

By John Frame
23-Nov-22

True diversity must embrace all forms of identity and real equity must include attempts to address economic imbalance... ..more

Sample Lessons for Centering Social Media in Our SEL Conversations

By Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman
09-Nov-22

If our SEL lessons do not include conversations about the effects of social media… ..more

What’s the Rush?

By Natasha Winnard
09-Nov-22

There are a number of reasons why a gap year may be something to consider for internationally mobile students… ..more

Challenging Ourselves

By Stephen Dexter Jr.
12-Oct-22

The greatest existential threat to our product is the teaching of traditional, discrete subjects… ..more

Exploring and Celebrating Congolese Culture

By Kimberly Hall
09-Nov-22

The American School of Kinshasa (TASOK) celebrates Congolese culture every year for a week in October. This tradition, known as Congo Week, has been in place since 2009... ..more

Leadership and Culture

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

Making a Difference in Peru

By Michelle Collin
26-Oct-22

Students at the American School of Barcelona participated in a medical mission project to Peru, acting as translators to American doctors… ..more

Transforming the Colorblind Picture

By Connor Rule, Grade 12
12-Oct-22

I wanted to focus on something close to my heart, raising awareness of colorblindness so learning can be inclusive and adjusted to suit individual needs… ..more

Ten Reasons Instructional Coaching Is the Key To Sustainable Professional Growth

By Kim Cofino
28-Sep-22

When teachers grow, they model growth-mindedness for students… ..more

We Are Our People

By Yasmine Sadri
07-Dec-22

When I say we are our people, we are both joy and pain, and right now we are hurting. Our people are hurting. Our country is hurting… ..more

Leading With the Whole System: School-Based Social and Emotional Learning

By Kelli Holm
26-Oct-22

What is social and emotional learning (SEL) and how can you implement it systemically? SEL leaders at CASEL offer information and resources… ..more

We Are Who We Are | A Radical Dreaming

By Joel Jr Llaban
28-Sep-22

Dreaming of a place and space where it sees and centers me and you… ..more

Sage Advice to Jump Start a Teaching Career

By Geoff Smith
28-Sep-22

A variety of experienced educators provide a collection of thoughtful insights for first year teachers and veteran educators alike… ..more

Getting Our House in Order: Creating an Effective Hiring Environment

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

The Retirement Road, Three Years Later

By Geoff Smith
07-Dec-22

A bookcase full of chapters, stories, moments, and a collection of experiences exists. But ultimately, I’ll need new shelves for new experiences… ..more

Start the Conversation: Gender Inclusion in Schools

By Lia Gould
14-Sep-22

Authentic inclusion requires a paradigm shift in how we understand and appreciate the differences and similarities among individuals and groups… ..more

Ten SEL Strategies for Secondary Teachers

By Ruth Poulsen
14-Sep-22

Between the crush of curriculum expectations and disengaged teens, secondary teachers sometimes struggle with how to incorporate SEL lessons… ..more

Street Data Fundamentals for International Schools

By Shane Safir and Jessica Wei Huang
14-Sep-22

Emergent lessons on dominant culture in schooling stemming from a recent experience with a Street Data Fundamentals workshop… ..more

A Week in the Life of an International School Job Seeker

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

Elevating Instruction With Essential Questions

By Dr. Rachel Ball
17-Aug-22

Modifying student questions while planning for instruction enables teachers to see an immediate impact on student engagement and understanding… ..more

There Is a Downside to “Hearing All Voices”

By Emily Meadows
17-Aug-22

To achieve safety, equity, and belonging at your school, take a firm position that does not endorse identity-based marginalization... ..more

Connecting the International Community and the Student

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

What Helps International School Students to Become Successful?

By Natasha Winnard
17-Aug-22

Parents who take the time to build honest, trusting, respectful, and clear communication between home and school are helping their children to succeed... ..more

Lessons in Leadership Learned from the Coaching Launch

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

Co-Teaching for Inclusion

By Karen Taylor
13-Jul-22

Co-teaching may offer an enhanced learning experience for our students and less stress for teachers, which creates a more inclusive classroom for all... ..more

Reflecting on the Tenacity and Tensions of Transformation

By Joel Llaban Jr.
13-Jul-22

Here's to radically dreaming, to witnessing, naming, and celebrating the tenacity, truths, and tensions of our communities... ..more

Celebrating Who We Are

By Ayako Catherine Nozue and Hoi Ching (Cathy) Ng
22-Jun-22

Teachers and students at Utahloy International School Guangzhou celebrate diversity and inclusivity by dressing in rainbow colors... ..more

It’s Not Enough To Just Talk About It

By Joanna Lippert, Grade 12
22-Jun-22

In order for the LGBTQ+ community to be properly integrated into society, we need to normalize talking about their issues, especially in schools... ..more

Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community in International Schools

By PhysEquity
22-Jun-22

In this episode, the PhysEquity team is in a conversation with Emily Meadows, an LGBTQ+ consultant and published author specializing in international schools... ..more

Developing Vision

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

Top 10 Skills for Aspiring Female Leaders

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

Six Things I Have Learned About Being a Global Family

By Natasha Winnard
08-Jun-22

The key element is the importance of constantly reflecting and learning from the one thing all global families seem to share: lives of constant change... ..more

Is School Inevitable Anymore?

By David Willows
25-May-22

I find myself reflecting on the fact that when something stops, even for a while, it stops being inevitable… So, did the pandemic really break school… ..more

Defining Service Learning: What Are “Authentic Needs?”

By Jérémie Rostan
25-May-22

The “authentic needs” addressed by service learners are second-order deficiency needs. They are issues of capability and sustainability… ..more

Strategic Policy: A Missing Link in International School Governance

By Chip Barder
25-May-22

Strategic policy development is a critically important but often overlooked responsibility of international school boards... ..more

Why Are You (Not) Picking on Me?

By Damian Bacchoo
11-May-22

At school, did you notice that the same kids were always given all the special jobs, the opportunities to show guests around, to speak at assemblies… ..more

Enrollment Trends in International Schools

By Courtney Lowe
11-May-22

Enrollment data was collected and analyzed from 59 international schools in April of 2022... ..more

TIE Welcomes New Editor

By Brittany Betts
13-Apr-22

The International Educator (TIE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Shwetangna Chakrabarty in the role of Editor starting June 2022. ..more

An Open Letter: Inclusion and Equity During Times of Crisis

By Doline Ndorimana
11-May-22

An open letter reflecting on our use of current events and crises in the classroom to promote and sustain a culture of equity and conscious inclusion… ..more

What Happens to the Experience of School When the Masks Come Off?

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

Internet Courage: Is This the Biggest Challenge Facing School Leaders?

By Megel Barker
27-Apr-22

The issue is the level of preparedness that teachers have in a fast-changing technology space to handle matters of digital citizenry. ..more

Why Should I Stay at My School?

By Michael Iannini
27-Apr-22

If we embrace our inner tiger, we have an opportunity to constructively address grievances and take control of our professional development. ..more

Know Your Identity

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

Dear Teacher - From Timur

By Timur, Grade 9
13-Apr-22

I hope that after reading my story of realization many students and teachers will be able to put themselves in my shoes and, perhaps, this will help them understand that they are not alone in their feelings. ..more

Collaboration and Action: Tactics for Tackling the Climate Crisis

By Tom Wallbridge
30-Mar-22

Students for the Environment (SFE) gained board approval to make the International School of Kenya (ISK) carbon neutral by 2030. Students helped rewrite and strengthen the school environmental policy. ..more

Does it Really Take a Village?

By Natasha Winnard
22-Mar-22

Why is it that parents look outside the school’s services for additional help? They say that it takes a village to raise a child. These days that “village” often seems to include a range of specialists. ..more

What's Your Passion?

By Vickie Swann
30-Mar-22

I hope each of you will take a moment to identify and honor your passions, to live by what we teach and provide for our students and colleagues and stay awake at night for all the right reasons. ..more

How to Educate in a Time of Conflict

By Conrad Hughes
16-Mar-22

One of the most challenging problems of practice that teachers and heads face in schools is how to discuss burning political events, in particular, war. ..more

A School Staff Guide for Supporting Students Impacted by the Crisis in Ukraine

By Ellen Mahoney
16-Mar-22

The following is a guide for International School educators working in schools in Ukraine, Russia, and other impacted communities. It is designed to help educators navigate through the coming weeks and beyond. ..more

Guidelines to Consider when Explaining the Russia-Ukraine War to Elementary Students

By Ben Fishman
16-Mar-22

Keep your conversations simple and easy to understand. Conversations should be developmentally appropriate. The age of your students will dictate how much information is shared. ..more

Leading Learner Centered Team Meetings

By Kristen MacConnell
02-Mar-22

Leading a high functioning team that transforms learning is easier said than done. Learn about several improvement tools to ensure the team you lead is keeping learning at the center. ..more

Advice to My Younger Self: A Letter to Nancy

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

Art and Social Awareness

By Jessie G. Saclo III
02-Mar-22

Exposing students to the realities of art activism unlatched a fresh perspective in learning about the function of art in society. ..more

Dismantling and Rebuilding Recruitment Practices Through an Equity Lens

By Tanay Naik & Megan Brazil
16-Feb-22

How might we enhance our current systems and establish new protocols that help us achieve our aspirational goal of having better representation within our teaching teams? ..more

Dear Teacher: From A Student Who Cares

By Anna, Year 12
16-Feb-22

In the spirit of listening and elevating student voices, Anna asks to be heard, to highlight the importance of a positive mindset, and to understand that teachers play an important role in a student’s adolescence. ..more

Pearls of Wisdom: Connecting with Students

By Nixon Nyangaga
16-Feb-22

In this Pearl, Nixon offers sage advice, make sure your kids know you are a human! ..more

There Is an “I” In Team – Being a Better Team Player

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

What is Beautiful? A Transdisciplinary Journey

By Kevin Bartlett
02-Feb-22

At the heart of our Ecosystem is one simple Impact Goal…We build Expert Learners, with deep conceptual understanding of ideas that matter. ..more

Raise Her Up Scholarship For Sidecar Summit 2022

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

Navigating the Transition from Teacher to Teacher Leader

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

The Changing Landscape of International Education: It’s Time to Change our Terminology

By Jane Larsson
19-Jan-22

The Council of International Schools, has moved away from using the terms “host country” and “host country national” in light of the changing landscape of international education. ..more

Being Prepared for Confrontation as Women in Leadership

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

Dear Teacher

Doline Ndorimana
01-Sep-21

In the spirit of listening and elevating student voices, TIE is creating a “Dear Teacher” series to designate a space to have these voices heard. ..more

Centering Healing as We Return

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

National Distinguished Principals 2021, Secondary Schools

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

National Distinguished Principals 2021

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

TIE’s Editorial Committee Welcomes Two New members

Doline Ndorimana and Joel Jr Llaban join The International Educator’s editorial committee. ..more

Pioneer “Sidecar Summit” Brings Vision of Women in Leadership to Life

By Bridget McNamer
04-Aug-21

The Sidecar Summit, a gathering of adventurous women leaders in preK-12 education. ..more

Solutions for the Future of International School Education

Anne Keeling
04-Aug-21

What skillsets are essential to today’s international school teachers? These and many more questions were addressed at the Edruptors Conference which was hosted online by ISC Research in July. ..more

Learning Occurs at Various Levels of Complexity

By Dr Karen L. Taylor
06-Jul-21

In grappling with the complexity of learning one might say that on the surface there are facts, information, and simple processes. On a deeper level, we find complex concepts and universal understandings... ..more

Social Emotional Learning: Making the Most of the Shifts

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

Global Citizenship: Mapping the Work and Creating a GC Model

By Leo Thompson
06-Jul-21

Introducing an inclusive global citizenship model and linked resources to help busy educators and invite further discussion and impact. ..more

Picking Up after the Pandemic: Preparing for a New School Year

By Dr. Rachel Ball, on behalf of Stronge & Associates Educational Consulting, LLC
22-Jun-21

How do we reacclimate to the in-person classroom? What technology lessons learned can we apply in the in-person classroom? What virtual practices can we carry forward? Rachel Ball outlines instructional silver linings to help move your school, classroom, and learners forward. ..more

Affectively and Socially Healthy Environments Promote Learning

By Dr Karen L. Taylor
22-Jun-21

Thanks to developments in neuroscience we now know much more now than we did in the past about the interplay of emotion and cognition, feeling and thinking. What could this interconnectedness mean for us in terms of our classroom practice? ..more

The Value of Restorative Practices

By Alistair Goold
22-Jun-21

The final article in a three-part series exploring the role restorative practices can play in both personal and professional contexts, beta-tested as the author's family underwent a perfect storm of challenges in the midst of a global pandemic. ..more

A Letter to COVID

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

Learning Occurs in a Space Where Objectives Are Just Beyond But Not Too Far From the Learner

By Dr Karen L. Taylor
08-Jun-21

As important a pedagogical tool as scaffolding may be, we should not oversimplify its relationship to the zone of proximal development. The two concepts are not mutually exclusive, but they are also not synonymous. ..more

Student Voice: Here Comes the Bride

By Hamsini Sivakumar
08-Jun-21

This short story was produced by Hamsini Sivakumar at Frankfurt International School’s Writing & Art Symposium, where authors and artists worked with students on a bilingual interschool publishing project. ..more

Taking Restorative Action

By Alistair Goold
08-Jun-21

When covid hit and Alistair Goold's family underwent a major life transition, he turned the focus inwards and sought to find out if the restorative methodologies he employed in the classroom could be helpful in restoring relationships on the homefront. ..more

Overcoming Barriers, Part 2: Supporting Women Who Seek (and Deserve) Leadership Opportunities

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

Elevate Student Voice & Choice in Diverse Learning Settings

By Lindsay Kuhl, Jane Russell Valezy, & Esther Bettney
25-May-21

Teachers everywhere have repeatedly faced new and ongoing challenges over the past year as we have transitioned through various forms of learning. We have tried to ensure that multilingual students' voices are heard and that we provide a variety of options so all students can succeed. ..more

Keep Calm and Embrace Stress!

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

University Visits in a Post Covid World?

By Robbie Jefferiss
11-May-21

Covid-19 has definitively changed many industries, and Robbie Jefferiss thinks college counseling might be one of them. Is it time to acknowledge that campus visits and college fairs are an outdated model of recruitment in the zoom era? ..more

Overcoming Barriers, Part 1: Changing the Narrative around Gender and Leadership in K-12 Education

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

It Also Takes A Village to Write a Book

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

Fostering a Translanguaging Pedagogy within a Blended Learning Environment

By Alexandra Ritt Gustad & Esther Bettney
11-May-21

Translanguaging is the adaptable way in which multilingual people use their languages to communicate. As the action and practice of using a person’s full linguistic repertoire to construct meaning, we should be deploying this approach more broadly with our students. ..more

A Ferry Crossing from Love to Loss and Back Again

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

Facing the Reality of Stereotypes in our Leaders

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

Wellbeing, Relationships and Teaching as a Caring Profession?

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

How to Maximize Student Feedback in Hybrid and Virtual Learning Contexts

By Dr. Rachel Ball
13-Apr-21

Formative assessment presents a powerful opportunity for improving student outcomes. Here are several practical suggestions for providing formative feedback to students in hybrid and virtual learning settings. ..more

We Don’t Want to Talk About It

By James Toney
27-Apr-21

James Toney doesn't want to talk about Chauvin's trial. All the same, this Black educator with a Black son of his own has generously and at personal cost laid out some of the many reasons why he's not up for talking. Are you listening? ..more

Running Compelling Middle School Science Lab Activities During Virtual Learning

By Mrs. Jean Candol-Piscioneri
13-Apr-21

Despite uncertainty, and constant changes in our daily or weekly schedule, science lab activities at Seoul International School continue to be implemented effectively through flexible thinking and focusing on the possibilities rather than limitations. ..more

Reflections at Year Five of ISK’s Child Protection Advocacy Network

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

Education Research Is Still Too Dense. We Need More Teacher-Researcher Partnerships.

By Kristin Simmers
13-Apr-21

While today’s unprecedented levels of educational challenge may merit equally unprecedented levels of teacher support, it can be hard to know where to begin, or even who to trust. Educators need to critically evaluate educational claims and pedagogy. Here's a way forward. ..more

Team Building Takes Trust

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

The Time is Now: Rethinking Service Learning

By Kelly Owens
30-Mar-21

Service learning, according to Kelly Owens, is problematic in that it reinforces the “savior” mentality among students at international schools. A different approach, community-based engagement, shows them the importance of working together for the betterment of all. ..more

The Ability to Follow Thoughts Carefully and Control One’s Attention Are Prerequisites for Learning

By Dr Karen L. Taylor
15-Mar-21

One of the challenges of teaching is to capture students’ attention when they enter the classroom and to keep it. Which means being aware of attention span and cycles of attention in relation to the rhythm of the lesson. ..more

An Introduction to Metacognition

By Michael Griffin
15-Mar-21

Metacognition is about thinking. It is about knowing not only what you think, but why you think it and how you arrived at your thoughts. Metacognition is about active learning. It is empowering. Effective teachers foster a metacognitive learning approach, to generate better quality thinking. ..more

Building Understanding Is Enhanced Through a Culture of Thinking

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

The Future of Teaching & Leading is in Our Hands

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

The Most Important Lesson of 2020

By Will Richardson & Homa Tavangar
16-Feb-21

In their free ebook, BIG Questions Institute co-founders Will Richardson and Homa Tavangar offer practical steps to reflect on who we are now as individuals and institutions and to begin a process of reinvention to ensure our students can thrive in an increasingly uncertain future. ..more

The Wellbeing Fingerprint

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

Beyond the Pandemic: A Principal's Perspective

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

Nestlings: Stories of Expatriate Life in Africa

By Paul Olson
16-Feb-21

Margie Olson announces the publication of her late husband Paul Olson’s fiction book, Nestlings: Stories of Expatriate Life in Africa. Paul grew up in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. ..more

Learning Principle N°4: Making Mistakes Is a Normal, Inevitable and Even Fertile Part of Learning

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

A Lesson on Why Words Matter

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

Are We Putting Out the Same Fires? Serving Multilingual Learners During the Pandemic

By Esther Bettney & Jon Nordmeyer
02-Feb-21

In the past year, WIDA has partnered with a variety of researchers and practitioners to better understand how to support multilingual students, their teachers, and their schools in the midst of the ongoing COVID pandemic, and they have some ideas to share. ..more

Wait... Did Points Just Become Pointless?

By Elizabeth Stark
02-Feb-21

Last spring, Elizabeth Stark was dumbfounded to learn that the IBDP exams had been canceled and those all-important "points" were suddenly rendered meaningless. But it wasn't long before this eclipse allowed her to see things in a new light. ..more

Leadership Attributes as Leadership Search Roadblocks

By Bridget McNamer
19-Jan-21

Having coached over 30 women leaders in the past year as they’ve navigated the leadership search process, it strikes me that some of the same attributes that make so many women effective leaders stand as obstacles to their success in the search process. ..more

First-Ever Multicultural Channel for Youth Voices Goes Live

By CMRubinWorld
19-Jan-21

The Planet Classroom Network has launched its programming schedule with 28 cultural organizations committed to global programming. Young people from around the world played a significant role in conceptualizing, creating, & producing the network’s vision & programming. ..more

How Do We Know If Students Are Learning?

By Kristen MacConnell
19-Jan-21

What classroom assessment practices will contribute most to understanding and improving student learning? And what is the role of the teacher leader in supporting student learning through effective assessment practices? Here are some effective strategies and tools. ..more

Grieving in the Classroom

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

Is Having a Growth Mindset Enough in Math? Introducing Mathematical Resilience

By Priya Shah
06-Jan-21

How do we create a group culture of “can do” math in a safe environment with ample support? This research adds to the growing body of work on the concept of mathematical resilience, taking a close look at case studies involving third culture kids and students with IEPs. ..more

Why I Talk About Consent with My High School Students

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

12 Lessons in Leadership in a Year to Forget

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

The International MTSS Summit (IMS): A Relevant and Timely Professional Learning Opportunity

By Dr. Joan Schumann
08-Dec-20

While many schools have recognized a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) as a model of choice, collective understanding and further professional learning is required for effective implementation. The International MTSS Summit (IMS) aims to build school capacity. ..more

Care at the Core

By Sherri Spelic
23-Dec-20

Drawing on observations from a vibrant life of learning through reading, writing, listening, and dialoging, Sherri Spelic asks us to rethink the world we are building for ourselves and our children in schools, in our communities, and in our societies. ..more

New Survey Reveals Worrying Levels of Stress Among International School Leaders

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

We Are All First-Year Teachers

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

Antiracism: Intent vs. Impact

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

How Are Supports for Diverse Learners Shifting in Distance Learning?

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

On Parenting While Teaching, and Vice Versa

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

Teaching for Fun or for Real

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

Home Sweet Exile

By Bruce Gilbert
25-Nov-20

Canada presents as an idyllic place to weather the pandemic. But while the move "home" has its obvious advantages, longtime international educator Bruce Gilbert is having trouble making small talk with other parents on the sidelines at his kid's soccer game. And that's a problem. ..more

International School Governance in the Time of Covid

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

Pandemic-Prompted Progress?

By Dr. Tiffani Betts Razavi
11-Nov-20

After some seven months of covid-19, educators and researchers are asking: what progress has been prompted by the pandemic? Are any of the lockdown-induced adjustments here to stay? Are there any old ways that won’t survive the virus? ..more

Online and Blended Learning: Six Steps for Instructional Success

By Scott B. Freiberger
11-Nov-20

This in-depth article provides six steps for instructional success at a time when fine-tuning online and blended learning environments is becoming paramount in international school settings. ..more

Saying is Believing: Why Names Matter

By Jon Nordmeyer, TIE columnist
24-Oct-20

Two things worth rethinking in international schools are how we refer to multilingual learners and how we serve them. Terminology matters, and how we refer to students and programs can impact both identity and learning. ..more

Transitioning in a Time of Global Transition

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

Child Protection Training for All Adults

By Matt Harris
24-Oct-20

Protecting children is of paramount concern to all international schools worldwide. Hundreds of educators have given their time to initiatives that have resulted in standards of practice that are now widely applied. But training all members of a school community in this area is a complex proposition. ..more

Standards-Based Report Cards: If Not Now, When?

By Colin Brown and Lindsay Prendergast
14-Oct-20

Standards-based grading practices proved to be a critical element of consistency and stability in guiding our focus around student learning and in providing accurate, meaningful, and proactive feedback to our learners and their parents during these turbulent, complex times. ..more

Instructional Coaching at Frankfurt International School

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

Language Matters

By Jon Nordmeyer
30-Sep-20

As 21st-century educators, we need to build on multilingualism and transnationalism as resources in preparing students for increasingly more complex and more global challenges in the years to come. ..more

How Parents Can Support Their Children Emotionally With the Return to School

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

Leader Wellbeing Amid Ongoing Crisis

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

Home After 10 Years Overseas

By Josefino Rivera, Jr.
15-Sep-20

In literature, we find comfort in narratives that follow what Joseph Campbell called the “hero’s journey,” the trajectory of a character who crosses into an unknown world only to return from the experience completely changed. But what about those that don’t return? ..more

“Because Drama”: How I Survived the COVID Lockdown in Saudi Arabia and the Death of My Dad

By Lorelei Loveridge
15-Sep-20

Five days after Saudi Arabia’s King Salman declared a 21-day curfew that effectively turned into a compound lockdown, Lorelei Loveridge received the call every expat dreads. He was gone. She couldn't get home to be with family. And still the show had to go on. ..more

A Focus on Identity

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

The IB and the World Academy of Sport Extend Partnership to Support CP students and Announce Global Scholarships

By George Pickford
15-Sep-20

The successful project for student-athletes at International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools, supporting their dual career aspirations, has been approved to now applies to both IB Diploma Programme (DP) and IB Career-related Programme (CP) students. ..more

Divided Views on Distance Learning: A Glimpse Into Three Students’ Lives

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

The Sound of One Hand High-Fiving

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

We Go Home on Time: Preventing Teacher Burnout in Sweden

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

Adopting a Future-as-Present Frame of Mind

By Emily Sargent-Beasley
15-Jul-20

No longer is there a chance to kneel beside a child, smile from across the room, or nudge with clear feedback using a tone that invites listening and understanding. The traditional toolkit has been left behind. Each tool now feels as if it must be replaced. ..more

Teaching Diversity Across Cultures: Words Without Borders Campus

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

Working at the Blackest School in Dubai

By Susana Thomas
18-Jun-20

It was incredible to work alongside people of color and to be seen for what we are and what we have to offer... It was magical while it lasted. I feared that penning such a candid account would result in my exclusion from the consideration of future employers. But we must. ..more

Learn and Act: We Can Do Both

By Alysa Perreras
04-Jun-20

As educators, if we seek to be true accomplices in the work of dismantling injustice, our commitment must be intentional, urgent, and unapologetic. In the case of dismantling antiblackness within our schools, curriculums and classrooms, there is no time to waste. ..more

A Melanated Woman

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

Moving from an Industrial to a Postindustrial Model

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

Bilingualism and Cultural Awareness

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

Breaking Down the Educator/Student Divide at Educational Conferences

By Adam Carter
08-Apr-20

Why do we lock students out of educational conferences when it’s their education we are discussing and planning behind closed doors? Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) and OWN Academy recently set out to create a new model that includes students in the conversation. ..more

Post Your Appointment Listings with TIE

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

What’s Your Emotional Salary?

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

Alternative Treatment Options for Attention Deficit Disorder

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

Summer Reading

By Margriet Ruurs
28-Jul-18

Margriet Ruurs is a Canadian author who conducts visits to international schools. She has been sharing her reviews with TIE's readers for the past three years. Here are Margriet's summer picks. ..more

Some Like it Hot: Life in Venezuela

By Chris Irvin
22-Feb-18

Like that line from a famous Clint Eastwood movie, in Venezuela there’s The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, which is likely what is foremost on your mind. The country has not had any good press for a long time, but there are plenty of positives. ..more

Building and Leading a School Culture That Values Data-Informed Dialogue to Improve Student Learning

By Megan Brazil
25-Feb-17

Teachers still spend a disproportionate amount of time planning instruction, but don’t place the same emphasis or effort on finding out if the instruction really worked. A rich opportunity exists for teams of teachers to use student learning data as a tool for developing deep understandings of instructional practices to shape collaborative approaches to improving student learning. ..more

Survivors of Sex Trafficking Shine On at Shine Career School

By Andrea Bailey & Ngin Sam Onn
19-Oct-17

Shine Career School was established in January 2011 to meet the educational and career needs of the trafficking survivors in Cambodia helped by Hope for Justice, a global anti-trafficking organization whose mission is to bring an end to modern slavery. ..more

The International Baccalaureate and Tes Partner in New Global Resource-sharing Hub for Educators

By Chloe McMath
26-Oct-17

The International Baccalaureate (IB) and Tes, the world’s largest community of education professionals with over 8 million registered users, have announced the launch of a resource-sharing service to help improve learning outcomes worldwide. ..more

A Eulogy for Paul Olson, Son of Africa

By Jim Ambrose & Paul Poore
09-Aug-17

Paul and Margie Olson have many friends who could not be at his memorial service to celebrate the life of this son of Africa. Were they not scattered around the world, the church would have been overflowing. ..more

Letter to the Editor: Race in International School Leadership

By Cynthia Nagrath, TIE Staff Writer
09-Aug-17

I enjoyed the opinion piece “More ‘American’ Than America: Race in International School Leadership” in TIE’s April issue. The time has come for international schools to address the issue of diversity—or lack thereof—among their leadership ranks. ..more

Kids Reach New Summits in Planning Purple Cake Day Events

By Meadow Hilley, TIE Editor
20-Jul-17

Launched in 2011 by the Kenbe La Foundation, Purple Cake Day is a “global day of action” that celebrates children, encourages them to learn about the challenges facing many of their peers around the world, and inspires them to come up with fun ways to raise funds that can improve the lives of those with limited or no access to quality education. ..more

A Take on Far From the Tree

By Beckett Haight
21-Jun-17

I had heard talk of Andrew Solomon's Far From the Tree but still hadn’t read it when in the course of a typical IEP meeting, the mother of a 17-year-old student broke down in tears, explaining that she still hadn’t come to terms with her child’s learning disability. I ordered it and am I ever glad I did. ..more

A Story of the Possible: Individuals with Special Rights in the Reggio Emilia Context (Part II)

By Laura Cox
24-May-17

Laura Cox spent a few days at the Loris Malaguzzi International Center in Italy to learn about the Reggio Emilia philosophy. The three-day study tour was organized by Next Frontier Inclusion, an organization that aims to help international schools to develop programs that support students with disabilities or special rights. ..more

A Tough Sell? How to Introduce Professional Marketing

By Marc Morian
26-Apr-17

"If your Athletics Director still manages your Facebook account and if your HR Manager still designs your job advertisements, it is time to introduce professional marketing." Tasks such as social media and press inquiries are often handled by staff members on the side. This may not be enough to make your school stand out among its numerous competitors, argues Marc Morian. ..more

NAC Believes in Peace One Day

By Pupjana Kole
08-Mar-17

Narmer American College (NAC) in New Cairo, Egypt has become a voice echoing the global message of Peace One Day--a non-profit organization whose objective is to make Peace Day 21 September an annual day of global unity and intercultural cooperation. ..more

8 Top Tips: Preparing for and Conducting a Successful Job Interview

By Forrest Broman
05-Jan-17

Exhaustive lists of criteria and strategies for creating successful applications and interviews abound, but here are some tips that can determine whether your first choice school makes you an offer. ..more

Upcoming Recruiting Fairs

On the market? We've put together a list of upcoming recruiting fairs in Bangkok, Atlanta, Toronto, Melbourne, London, Hong Kong, Cambridge, Kingston, Waterloo, San Francisco, Dubai and more. ..more

What Causes Mind Blanks During Exams?

By Jared Cooney Horvath and Jason M. Lodge
30-Nov-16

You prep for an exam and all the information seems coherent and simple. Then you sit for an exam and suddenly all the information you learned is gone. Your mind goes blank in response to a perceived threat. The chemical process that takes place essentially clears out your working memory, quiets logical processes, and walls off memory. ..more

Awty Student to Study Hindi in India on NSLI-Y Scholarship

By Gwen R. Cario
31-Aug-16

Abigail Partridge, a high school student in Houston, Texas, has been awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarship for 2016-17. Abigail will study Hindi in India for the summer. ..more

Teachers’ Lounges: Valuable or Wasted Space?

By Joy Jameson
31-Mar-16

In recent years, it seems that teachers’ lounges are disappearing in both international and U.S. schools. It leads one to wonder as to whether they are really valuable areas or wasted space. Have teachers’ lounges outlived their day? ..more

How to Submit an Article to TIE

By Meadow Hilley, TIE Editor
24-Feb-16

We encourage heads, teachers, counselors, students, and other staff to submit stories on any topic relevant to the international education community. Our simple submission guidelines tell you everything you need to know. ..more

Teachers Seek Mindfulness at Suzhou Singapore International School

By Brenda Lyons
17-Feb-16

Teachers are being asked to teach mindful practices without adequate preparation, according to Brenda Lyons. To truly embody mindfulness and effectively teach it, teachers need to understand and explore the practice for themselves. ..more

Against the Grain Theater Festival Seeks Submissions

By Neil Wechsler
20-Jan-16

Against the Grain Theater Festival is seeking submissions for its 2016 high school and college playwriting competition. Winning playwrights will receive a workshop in Buffalo, New York, where they will get to work on their plays with local actors, directors, and designers. ..more

Recruiting Fairs around the World

Looking for your dream job? Recruiting fair season is once again upon us! Here is a list of upcoming fairs around the world, in Waterloo, Atlanta, San Francisco, Dubai, Cape Town, Bangkok... ..more

Design Technology at American International School Dhaka

By Jennifer Passey
12-Jan-16

Starting in sixth grade at AISD, students are introduced to our Design Technology (DT) curriculum. The DT program embraces the ideas and technologies of the Makerspace movement taking hold in communities and schools around the world. ..more

Ten Pieces of Advice for a Job Interview

By Kim Marshall
29-Dec-16

Kim Marshall, an experienced teacher and administrator, boils down a recent article on school leadership. This week, Mr. Marshall revisits some do's and don'ts for the recruitment season. ..more

Unpacking Service-Learning Efforts

By Sarah Lillo
11-Nov-15

Many international schools emphasize the importance of global citizenship. Increasingly, schools turn to service learning as a key mechanism for cultivating community engagement. But educators and administrators must be deliberate in their approach. ..more

UNI Overseas Recruiting Fair

By Lindsay Cunningham
13-Oct-15

The University of Northern Iowa Office of Career Services will celebrate the 40th annual UNI Overseas Recruiting Fair for Educators this February 5 through 7, 2016, in Waterloo, Iowa. ..more

Awty Students Recognized by National Merit Scholarship Program

By Gwen R. Cario
30-Sep-15

Several seniors at The Awty International School in Houston, Texas have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for their superior performance on the PSAT. ..more

Two Big Takeaways from Innovate 2015 Conference

By Joseph Koss
20-May-15

Joseph Koss returned from Graded's Innovate 2015 Conference "Re-imagining School" with a couple thoughts concerning shifts the concept of “school” is undergoing, one concerning space, the other concerning structure. ..more

New Search Associates Toronto Fair Dates Allow Earlier Recruiting

By Meadow Hilley
20-May-15

Given the shifting trend that has seen many employers launch their hiring process well before January, Search Associates has advanced the date of its annual recruitment fair held in Toronto, Canada to early December. ..more

In Beijing, Ringing in the Year of the Sheep

By Tom Fearon
09-Apr-15

Dressed in traditional Chinese attire, students and teachers of the International School of Beijing (ISB), marched displaying masks and carrying a giant ornate dragons. From arts and crafts to martial arts, the parade culminated with a stunning performance by the school’s Wushu Warriors of Wisdom. ..more

Designing Spaces for Effective Admissions: Starting the Conversation

By Jane Crowhurst and David Willows
26-Mar-15

Jane Crowhurst, who heads the Zurich office of tp bennett, a global architectural practice, and David Willows, Director of Admissions and Advancement at the International School of Brussels, launch a conversation about the intersection of their fields. ..more

Education and Leadership at Qatar Leadership Academy

By Zarmina Hotaki
26-Mar-15

As a boarding school with a flagship leadership program, Qatar Leadership Academy—a member of the Qatar Foundation—works actively not just to create links, but also to directly teach leadership skills. ..more

Technology Trends in Asian International Schools

By Michael Boll
14-Jan-15

The 2014 Horizon Report on international schools in Asia identifies twelve emerging technologies on the rise, as well as key trends and challenges expected to continue over the next 1-5 years, providing international school leaders and practitioners with a valuable guide for strategic technology planning. ..more

WBAIS Project Wins Prize

By Ada Renan
24-Dec-14

Students from WBAIS in Israel won the Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes $10,000 Discovery Award grand prize for their project “Confronting Adversity through Secret Newspapers in Terezin." ..more

Motivating Challenging Language Learners

By Bonnie Billak
24-Dec-14

Learning a new language takes patience, perseverance, and lots of hard work. Unless students have intrinsic motivation to learn, teachers will need to develop strategies to help students overcome what can become an aversion to learning English. ..more

Students at Beijing City International School Conduct Oral History Interviews

By Mark Lombardo
12-Nov-14

As part of their study of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Mark Lombardo's students recently conducted oral history interviews with people having lived through or experienced the topic of study, leaving them enthusiastic, passionate, and highly engaged in their projects. ..more

A Bountiful Harvest of Great International School Reads

By Margriet Ruurs
10-Dec-14

Margriet Ruurs, author of 27 books for children, reviews Every Last Drop, Families Around The World, So Much For Democracy, Just Deserts, Moon At Nine, and Throwaway Daughter. ..more

ESL Programs: Vision & Mission

By Bonnie Billak
05-Nov-14

Without a clearly defined vision and mission statement, an ESL program can easily become blurred or lost in the myriad of new initiatives that schools implement each year, resulting in a lessening of services for students in great need of English language instruction. ..more

Online Learning: The Real Global Classroom

By Anne Keeling & Dennis Stanworth
05-Nov-14

At one of the very oldest international schools in the world - Yokohama International School (YIS) in Japan - students are looking to one of the very newest ways of learning. ..more

I Wonder... What Drew You to International School Teaching?

By Joy Jameson
03-Dec-14

In this latest edition of her "I Wonder..." series, Joy Jameson wonders about our motivations as international educators. "What was the carrot on the stick that caught your attention and inspired you to work at an international school?" ..more

Terrorism Threat Monitor Warns Western Teachers May Be Targets

By Meadow Hilley
29-Oct-14

A Jihadi forum member has called on "lone wolf" attackers to target American and Western teachers in international schools, in the Arabian Peninsula in particular, according to the MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor. ..more

AISA Promotes Ebola Preparedness

by Meadow Hilley
22-Oct-14

In response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) has developed a number of preparedness documents, which it has shared within its member network and beyond. “You can only get Ebola from touching bodily fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola, or from exposure to contaminated objects, such as needles.” - CDC ..more

Big Hearts Buy US$6,400 Haircut for New Hearts

By Michael Barrs
18-Nov-14

The American School of Vietnam (TAS) in Ho Chi Minh City teamed up with local businesses and charities in a one-week fundraiser to save the lives of five children in desperate need of heart surgery. ..more

Bangkok Patana School Awarded the Design Mark

By Emma Goligher
14-Oct-14

Bangkok Patana School is the first school in Thailand to have been awarded The Design Mark in recognition of its excellence in teaching design and so joins an elite group of 51 schools worldwide—just two of which are outside of the UK—delivering the very best design education to their students. ..more

In The News

Selected sources
07-Oct-14

A roundup of news from the field we believe will be of interest to our international educators. Vocational ed, Arne Duncan, Internet in NZ schools, China teaches UK teachers. ..more

Riz Khan Hosts UAS Dubai Student Panel on Global Issues

By Jaya Java
03-Nov-14

Grade 10 students at Educational Services Overseas Ltd.’s (ESOL’s) Universal American School (UAS) presented their views on current issues faced by the coming generation last May in a panel discussion hosted by acclaimed journalist Riz Khan. ..more

Germany: Teachers Strike at BIS

By Meadow Hilley
02-Oct-14

In mid-September, close to 80 staff at the Bavarian International School (BIS) in Haimhausen, Germany held a warning strike in a dispute over wages as the school pursues major expansion projects. ..more

Building a Strong Music Program: How to Hit the Right Notes

By Mark Newmark
24-Sep-14

I have been asking people about excellence in their domains. What makes a good art program? A good mathematics program? Some of the most revealing answers have come from Tom and Barbara Stief, who have been making music together for 25 years. ..more

Developing Musicianship through Apps

By Meadow Hilley
17-Sep-14

When Mark Elshout joined Osaka International School, he was prepared to integrate iPad technology into his music classroom, but wasn't thrilled by his choices. So he set about designing custom apps. ..more

Opinion: Bedside Interviews

By Joy Jameson
17-Sep-14

Joy Jameson offers a meditation on the common practice of conducting candidate interviews in hotel rooms at international school job fairs. What could possibly explain this curious phenomenon? ..more

Innovation at the International School of Beijing

By Kate Ferrier
10-Sep-14

A new Strategic Initiatives Action Grant propels ISB’s staff and students into the very future they are envisioning. ..more

Five Years on, COHP Children Still Thriving

By Forrest Broman
10-Sep-14

The Children of Haiti Project (COHP) is now in its fifth year providing schooling, nutritious meals, and health care to 76 Haitian children living in grinding poverty. ..more

The Benefits of Small Schools

By Nina Markham
03-Sep-14

Writing in from Rotterdam, one teacher lists the upsides of belonging to a smaller, tight-knit learning community, from the family atmosphere to global-mindedness. ..more

Malaysia: New Investment Initiatives

By Anne Keeling
10-Sep-14

The Malaysian government has offered new initiatives for the development of international schools, including significant tax incentives for organizations that establish new institutions in the country. ..more

Books with Global Appeal

By Margriet Ruurs
26-Aug-14

Margriet Ruurs, author of 30 books for children, reviews five extraordinary titles for young readers that touch on today's global realities: Pay it Forward Kids | Why Do We Fight? | Not Your Typical Book About the Environment | You Are Stardust | A Camera, Two Kids and a Camel. ..more

From Immature to “Under Construction”

By Natasha Broman, TIE Staff Writer
06-Aug-14

In his recent book Brainstorm, psychiatry professor Dan Siegel challenges our understanding of the adolescent brain. ..more

In the Heart of Africa, a Little Engine That Could

By John Chandler
06-Aug-14

For over 50 years, The American School of Kinshasa in the Democratic Rep. of Congo has offered an American-based curriculum to a group of talented K-12 students from all over the world. ..more

Effective Leaders, Effective Schools: It’s a Collective Responsibility

By Lee Fertig and Sue Easton
31-Jul-14

Does our school articulate clear and unambiguous statements of purpose and direction? Do we adhere to a set of learning principles that reflect our community’s values? Educational leaders must navigate these and many other questions to be successful in their practice. ..more

How to Get a Job? Try the Google Treatment

By Tiffani Razavi, TIE Staff Writer
23-Jul-14

In environments where computers and machines calculate and monitor, it is the uniquely human skills that are most needed. At the top of the list of what Google looks for in prospective employees is what Laszlo Bock calls general cognitive ability. “It is not IQ,” he says, “it is learning ability. It is the ability to process on the fly." ..more

TIE Publishes Wildlife Photography Book

By Cynthia Nagrath
10-Jun-14

Nature for Nurture, a wildlife photography book by Kevin Bartlett, will help to raise funds for the Children of Haiti Project (COHP). ..more

Floors Become Ceilings, and Opportunities Become Obstacles

By Keith Boniface
08-Jul-14

Because we design a broad view of what it means to be well educated, high school is often referred to as an exercise in collecting credits rather than a quest for knowledge. ..more

JIS Teachers Arrested over Alleged Rapes

by Michael Bachelard
13-Aug-14

Michael Bachelard explains how two teachers from Jakarta International School have been arrested over alleged rapes and detained without charge for a further month. ..more

The Evolution of Technology Professional Development (AKA “Tech PD”)

By Aland Russell
03-Jun-14

We still pay attention to the tech standards, but I am coming to believe that the standards can become a hindrance to true integration because they place the focus on the tool instead of the learning. ..more

Second Language Learners—Who’s on Point?

By Bonnie Billak
27-May-14

Looking after those English language learners is not your responsibility, right? Wrong. The optimal situation really does involve you, argues one ESL specialist. ..more

Yes, Child Protection Is a Security Issue

By Michael Johnson
20-May-14

How can we best address recently identified issues with regard to on- and off-campus child protection? A child protection team, and balanced teams of vetted chaperones, are a good start. ..more

Explore, Innovate, Connect: Learning 2.014 Africa

By Alex Lancia
13-May-14

Africa beckons! Join the International Community School of Addis Ababa for a learning safari in Ethiopia. ..more

Stakeholders Come Together, Form Child Protection Task Force

By Bambi Betts
06-May-14

AISH Executive Director Bambi Betts and a coalition of international education leaders spearhead a renewed focus on child protection in international schools. ..more

Crime and Punishment - and Prevention

By Paul Poore
28-Apr-14

Sometimes our colleagues are not who we think they are; in the wake of sexual misconduct by fellow staff members, we realize we may have unintentionally failed to protect our students. So what are international schools to do? ..more

MineCraft in the Classroom?

By Simon Gauci
29-Apr-14

In his geography unit, one social studies teacher consented to his students' use of MineCraft... And in the wake of an "outstanding" project outcome, some reconsiderations were arguably in order. ..more

Is Professional Development Really a Benefit to Students?

By Tamatha Bibbo and Roberto d’Erizans
22-Apr-14

Does training, or for that matter, most of the professional development (PD) we as educators participate in each year, have any effect on student learning? Is PD really worth the time we dedicate to it? ..more

Socioeconomic Diversity: the KIS Bangkok Experience

By Peter Carlson
15-Apr-14

Every year, KIS International School in Bangkok, Thailand offers a scholarship to a deserving young refugee. And as KIS teacher Peter Carlson observes, there are numerous benefits to supporting genuine socioeconomic diversity. ..more

Whitewash in a 2.0 World: The End of Open Letters of Recommendation

By Nigel Winnard
08-Apr-14

The open recommendation was, is, and always will be an untrustworthy whitewash. Far from securing a best fit for candidates and recruiters, it served only to muddy the waters. ..more

International Schools on the Edge of Possibility

By William Powell & Ochan Kusuma-Powell
01-Apr-14

The edge of possibility is that international schools take a new challenge of inclusion, namely the education of children who learn differently. ..more

Diversity in International Schools: a New Era in Mexico City

By Sloane Starke
25-Mar-14

No definition of diversity can last forever, and the American School Foundation in Mexico City realized its own needed tweaking. The ensuing spotlight landed on a new set of standouts. ..more

Student Reassessment Policies: Yes, Let’s Talk about That “Real World”...

By Maria Savva & Sarah Washburne
18-Mar-14

The American International School in Cyprus argues that real life is about getting, and giving, chances - including second ones. A cursory look at adult life suggests they may be on to something. ..more

U.S., Canadian Teachers Automatically Qualified in England

By Tiffani Razavi, TIE Staff Writer
11-Mar-14

Few teachers may be aware that as of mid-2012, restrictions on teachers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA were lifted, giving teachers from these countries the same working rights in the UK as those from the European Union. ..more

Endicott College Opens First Summer Graduate Study Center in Asia

By Richard Pacheco
18-Feb-14

Endicott College to open new center in Bangkok this summer, following the establishment of international graduate study centers in Spain, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. ..more

International Schools Look to the Future

48th Annual AAIE Conference, Boston, USA
12-Feb-14

Hundreds of international school heads, associations, and partners gathered in Boston for the 48th annual AAIE conference. ..more

ISC Research to Publish Bespoke Reports for International School Clients

By Daniel Lincoln
14-Jan-14

Expanded series of country reports to feature demographic studies and market intelligence, given a market that will "double in the next ten years." ..more

Distributed Leadership, Beijing style

By Kate Ferrier
06-Nov-13

One international school's success story of delegation and, ultimately, empowerment. ..more

The British Are Coming!

By Tiffani Razavi, TIE Staff Writer
12-Nov-13

Cambridge International Examinations launches a ground-breaking, three-year partnership with Florida’s Miami-Dade school district, the fourth-largest school district in the United States. ..more