Empowering Educators | TIE Newsletter 28 January 2026 | The International Educator (TIE Online)

28 January 2026

Facing AI: How Students See Its Impact on Learning and Life

By Naima Umiryayeva, Year 12 student

If students grow up surrounded by AI tools but aren’t taught how to use them intentionally, they’ll struggle to stop themselves from using AI every time... more

Systems Thinking Is Necessary for Positive Change

By Kathryn T. Berkman, Meredith Robinson, and Megan Vosk

Explore systems thinking through real classroom examples, tools and student action, showing how community engagement empowers changemakers... more

Why AI Literacy Should Start in Early Childhood

By Itzel Madero Hernandez

Early AI literacy builds critical thinking, equity, and ethical awareness, helping young children understand technology’s role through guided learning... more

A Year Without Worksheets

By Sara Glenn

Swapping worksheets for hands-on, engaging activities boosts fluency, collaboration, and student enthusiasm... more

A Turning Point for Instructional Coaching in International Education

By Kim Cofino

Coaching has evolved from isolated roles to a shared movement, reshaping leadership, culture, and sustainability in international schools... more

#MyFreedomDay 2026: Student Action to End Human Trafficking

By Veronica McDaniel

Students around the world are taking action against human trafficking. Your school can join a powerful global movement and lead meaningful change... more

Empowering Teachers Through PD Rooted in Local Context

By Shwetangna Chakrabarty and Natasha Haque

Teachers thrive when PD honors local context. Empowered educators reclaim classrooms for truth, inquiry, and identity in a world blurred by misinformation... more

Finding Joy

By Jen Tickle

New headship euphoria fades fast. Learn how to reclaim joy, manage overwhelm, and lead by noticing progress and celebrating community... more

Awakening Humanities: When Students Teach You What It Means to Care

By Mushfiqua Zabeen

What began as structured activities for community projects grew into powerful acts of empathy and purpose... more

PEARLS OF WISDOM

Legitimacy Brings a Curriculum to Life

By Marzia Mauffrey

In this Pearl, Marzia reflects on how curriculum gains meaning not through authority or documentation alone, but through lived experience, culture, and community... more

Teaching Science With a More-Than-Human Perspective

Dr. Ethan Lewis

Discover practical science projects that help students learn with nature, building curiosity, empathy, and real-world ecological understanding... more

A Multiplicative Framework for Teaching Language

By Scott Eder

The R = A × C × M framework for teaching language integrates pedagogical actions, instructor competence, and student motivation to predict and enhance learning outcomes… more

“Bomb” on Campus

By Matthew Piercy

My colleague and I walked a divergent path to class, stepping through the forest and talking about traditions. We spoke about their value, potential drawbacks, and what it means to be reverent. At first, I simplified reverence to authority, something tied to patriotism, religion, and unquestioning respect… more

Just Wondering About the Power of Authentic Purpose and Routines

By Fred Bordaguibel-Labayle

At Rabat American School, we collaboratively developed our definition of High Quality Learning (HQL) and identified key HQL look-fors, which we have recently updated. And I have the privilege of visiting elementary and secondary learning spaces several times a week to highlight and celebrate HQL in action… more

2026: New Year Resolutions and Absolutions

By Nicholas Alchin

I read somewhere that New Year's Resolutions should really be called New Year’s Absolutions – where we forgive ourselves for all our previous weaknesses and start afresh. I love the idea of absolution (that’ll be the ex-Catholic in me emerging) but there seem to me to be some questionable assumptions in there… more

Global Book Recommendations: Curiosity and a Quest for Knowledge

By Margriet Ruurs

Fabulous (new) titles that will help stimulate your students’ curiosity and their quest for knowledge. These books are fascinating for readers of all ages – from migration miracles to human immigrations around the world. Circle by Jeannie Baker, My Book of Frogs and Toads by Geraldo Valério, Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, Super Navigators, How Animals Find Their Way by David Barrie and Rebecca Stefoff… more

Beyond Servant Leadership

By Conrad Hughes

In the 1970s, the American businessman Robert Greenleaf coined the term “servant leadership” meaning that leaders should be at the service of those they lead. On the surface, this seems like a good idea, counteracting the paradigm of the domineering, micromanaging, and self-centered leader who crushes others and takes all the credit. But let’s deconstruct the concept of the “servant” first… more

A Better Way to Do IT in 2026: Synergistically

By Matt Brady

For 2026, I propose a radical change for EdTech provision in K-12 Schools— actual, sustained collaboration between IT, Admin, Teacher and Integration teams. Even more outlandish? The work has nothing to do with “thought leadership”, “growth, now!” or “coaching/fixing” people. The space I’m working to change is the shadowy side of things where the “tech bro and sister” sun doesn’t shine because of the absence of deliberate, collaborative work in… more