Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Educators Going Global
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
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| 91. Get to Know Latin America: The Many Pros, Along With a Few Cons: An Honest Chat With Mark Webber of Webber's Ed | 14 Nov 2025 | 01:14:35 | |
Are you thinking of recruiting for a school in Latin America? If so, how much do you know about the region? In this episode we learn a great deal about Latin America by interviewing Mark Webber of the Webber’s Ed recruiting agency. Mark answers lots of questions like, “When is the main recruiting season? What are some of the less-tangible benefits of working in Latin America? And what is school life like?” Mark Webber began his career in education as a Theatre, Debate and Public Speaking teacher in Texas and moved into international education in 2001 after backpacking the route of Che Guevara throughout South America. He has taught IB Theatre and served as a Director of Fine and Performing Arts in Venezuela, Malaysia, Sudan, and Mexico, where he decided to start his own consulting company, which quickly turned into a boutique recruitment company for international schools in Latin America in 2012/13. Mark has continued his teaching of Debate and Public Speaking as the founder of the Mexican Debating league, coach of Team Mexico for the World Schools Debating Championships (2011-2017) and owner and operator of an online Debating Academy. Since leaving Mexico, he has lived in Colombia and Costa Rica and is now back in Mexico, living in Chiapas with his lovely wife, who is a Head of School, and their two little dogs. Webber’s Ed-Teacher Talent has been named the Best International Schools Recruitment Agency for Latin America every year since 2019, except for 2022 when no award was given. Our guiding question for this show was: “What does recruiting for schools in Latin America entail?” Some of the topics covered include:
Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Blog Post - Why Do Educators Come to Latin America? Connect with Mark on LinkedIn This episode was recorded on October 27, 2025. Categories: Recruiting | School Life | Travel | Finances Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 90. Students Help Students Transition Best! A Chat About the SPAN Student Ambassador Program Guide With Lina Paumgarten and Amy Shuflin | 31 Oct 2025 | 00:56:41 | |
How does your school support new students? Do your students lead the way as transition ambassadors? And wouldn’t it be great to have help with this process? In this second episode, Lina and Amy unpacked SPAN's Student Ambassador Guide, which you can access to help incorporate the program into your current transition support efforts! Amy worked for 17 years in Venezuela and Malaysia. She is currently the SPAN Resource Lead. She is passionate about schools caring for the needs of the full community and has integrated transitions care into her various roles. She has a B.A. in Youth Ministry, an MEd. in Curriculum and Instruction and is a Youth Mental Health First Aider. Amy enjoys meeting people, cooking, and spending time with her family. Lina previously served as a Counselor and Wellness Coordinator in Chile. She is now working on her PhD in Psychology, focusing on suicide prevention in international education. Lina likes to explore the outdoors, stay active, and spend time with friends, family and her dog. She believes in the power of embracing our full humanity through life’s inevitable changes, which are also an opportunity for growth. Guiding Question: “How can schools build or enhance a Student Ambassador Program rooted in positive transitions-care?” Recorded: July 13, 2025. Resources: Safe Passage Across Networks - SPAN Safe Passage (Book) by Dr. Doug Ota International School Counselor Association - ISCA Life Without Nico by Andrea Maturana Amy: Finding My Voice, LinkedIn Lina: linapaumgarten.com, Instagram, LinkedIn, LINDEN Global Learning & Support, Categories: Transitions | School Lif Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 81. Fostering Lasting Change in Schools: Four Factors to Consider, With Jim Reese | 27 Jun 2025 | 01:01:00 | |
Change. It can be exciting. It can also be tough. And it happens a lot in international schools. At first, new ideas and the buzz around implementing them can feel electrifying. But here’s the catch: often, the people involved, the processes, and the long-term sustainability of these ideas—whether they’re initiatives or programs—don’t quite make it past the starting line. So, why does this happen? And how do we successfully navigate the twists and turns of the change process? Audrey and David have been through countless new initiatives in schools over the years, and we have often wondered what makes some changes "stick" while others fall flat. That curiosity led us to Dr. Jim Reese. Many of you may know Jim, either as the previous facilitator of the Harvard Project Zero Summer Institutes or as a trusted consultant in your own school. Jim lives in Washington, DC. After a long career teaching in international and U.S. schools, he now works as a consultant with schools, museums, and educational organizations. Jim has a long-term affiliation with Project Zero, a research group at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In 2004, along with Dr. David Perkins from Harvard, Jim co-authored an article about managing change in a school to help it last. The article was called "When Change Has Legs: Four key factors help determine whether change efforts will be sustained over time." Each "leg" refers to one aspect of the change; all 4 are required for the change to last. Our guiding question for the episode was, “What are proven ways to bring about sustainable change in international schools?” The Four Legs of Sustainable Change are:
Resources cited in the episode: Edtech Co-Op Podcast interview with Jim (2015) Professional Development Collaborative at Washington International School Jim's Contact Information: LinkedIn Categories: PD | Leadership | Scho Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 80. How Would You Reimagine Your Teaching? Your School? Education Itself? Hear Suggestions from Author Paul Halford. | 13 Jun 2025 | 01:06:46 | |
Let’s be honest. Teaching and learning have changed somewhat over the years, but schools as institutions can still “feel” very similar to how they did when my grandfather was a school superintendent back in the 1940s. So what are some ways we can reimagine school? It takes a real visionary to think outside of this rigid box, wouldn’t you say? Our guest on this episode, educator and author Paul Halford, is one such visionary. Paul guides us through his perspective on reimagining schools. Paul Halford has worked in education for over 50 years including 35 in management. His diverse career included Catholic, Jewish, Anglican, Islamic, government, international and alternative schools. He has twice been nominated for National Excellence Awards. In 2004 and in 2006 his schools received National Awards for Excellence and Improvement. He has led International schools in Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia. Our guiding question for this episode was: “How do educators and schools go about reimagining themselves?” In this show, Paul covers several topics, including:
Resources mentioned in the episode: My Educated Life: Lessons from leading and reimagining schools by Paul Halford Michael Fullan The New Meaning of Educational Change This episode was recorded on March 20, 2025. Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 79. Would You Be a Good Fit for a Brand New School? A Conversation With Greg Parry of GSE, the School Starters | 23 May 2025 | 01:11:39 | |
Where do new schools come from? Our research and guest insights reveal that new schools are regularly emerging, with many others planned for construction in the near future. What does this mean for you as you seek to be an informed international educator while navigating the recruiting process? What are some “under the hood” aspects of startup schools you should be examining? What are the advantages and potential disadvantages of working at a newly-established school? With these questions in mind, we reached out to Greg Parry, an expert in starting schools. Greg leads Global Services in Education (GSE), a company he founded that collaborates with investors, developers, and school management providers to design, build, and manage new schools. Greg is a visionary leader, educator, and acclaimed author with an exceptional track record in the field of international education. From his home country of Australia to the United States, India, Africa, Myanmar, China, South America, South Korea, Japan and the Middle East, Greg's insights have transformed education systems and elevated learning outcomes. He has trained teachers and principals worldwide, focusing on critical thinking, language development, and leadership. Greg's expertise in school start-up projects, curriculum development, and effective leadership strategies has solidified his authority in the field. For this episode, we focused on a few guiding questions:
Resources mentioned in the episode: Global Services in Education (GSE) Global Services in Education Blog Steps to Setting Up a New School Five Trends That Will Redefine International Schools in 2025 Educators Going Global: Profiling Schools, Cities and Countries Greg's Contact Information: This episode was recorded on April 9th, Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 78. Getting to the Art of the Matter: A Discussion With a Panel of Experts in the Arts | 14 May 2025 | 01:17:30 | |
How can schools integrate Social-Emotional Learning, Belonging, Global Citizenship and Creative Expression in one beautiful package? By prioritizing a crucial aspect of schooling: The Arts. And yet The Arts are often relegated to “encore” status, underfunded or even dispensed with duiring budget crunches. For this show, we assembled a talented panel of guests who represented years of experience and an array of artistic disciplines: Film, Theater, Art and Music. David Gran has developed and taught film programs for 20 years in the U.S., Shanghai, and Chile. He was a co-founder of SAS’s Innovation Institute and Nido’s Changemakers program, the Shanghai Student Film Festival and the InThinking site for IB Film. David is also a former columnist for School Arts Magazine. Tina Casey is the HS Theater Teacher and the Performing Arts Director at ISKL. She has been working overseas for over 30 years, including 15 years in Malaysia. This year marks Tina’s final year at ISKL, after which she will return home with her husband to Northern Ontario for a "nap year" before deciding on next steps. Nick Stonehouse is an art and design educator currently working in HCMC, Vietnam. He has taught in multiple curricula at a range of ages, from Early Childhood to Secondary. At present, Nick is thoroughly enjoying teaching grades 2 and 3 art. Nick is also an avid photographer, artist, art enthusiast, and world traveler. Scott Rogal has taught in Canada, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Currently, he teaches Band at the American School of Bahrain and conducts the Jazz Orchestra of Bahrain, a semi-professional ensemble featuring many of Bahrain’s top musicians. He is also an active composer who writes and publishes through ApRo Music in Canada. Our guiding question for the show was “What are some characteristics that describe international school arts programs?” Our panelists shared many insights around implementing an arts program while also sharing specifics about their individual domains of music, theater, film and art. Here are a few of the topics covered:
This was a rich discussion with each participant chiming in with their takes while sharing experiences from their careers. We has so many questions that plans are already being made for a follow-up recording! This episode was r Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 77. Bahrain: A Middle Eastern Island Oasis: Our Second Chat With Dave McMaster of ASBahrain. | 25 Apr 2025 | 00:34:59 | |
We enjoyed our first interview with Dave McMaster so much that we spoke with him a second time! If you missed the first interview on what it is like to start an international school, definitely check it out – it’s Episode 74. Dave also recorded two Going Global Stories for us. Head to our information hub to enjoy those. Dave has 35 years of K-12 education experience, primarily in leadership roles in Canada, Hong Kong, and Bahrain. He joined the Esol organization in Bahrain in September 2018, and led the founding team in establishing the American School of Bahrain, which opened its doors to just over 100 students amid the COVID-19 Pandemic and has grown to nearly 800 students in its first five years of operation. Prior to this role, Dave served as Principal and Head of School at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong. During his tenure, he spearheaded the authorization process for the full slate of International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Within six years, CDNIS DP students ranked in the top 10% of IB schools worldwide, and CDNIS was recognized as the top international school in Hong Kong for seven consecutive years. Dave has founded three schools, including the American School of Bahrain. Dave’s authenticity as an educational leader motivates the entire school community to continually improve, ensuring excellence in educational provision. He strongly believes that cultivating a school culture based on mutual respect, happiness, and high yet realistic expectations will lead to a fruitful educational experience for students. He emphasizes the "smile index" as a key barometer for assessing a school's success. Dave also has extensive experience in recruiting, hiring, and retaining top educators, which he considers crucial to the success of founding ASB. Dave holds a Bachelor of Education from Queen's University. He also earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University. Our Guiding Question was, “What is it like teaching and living in the Middle East?” Here are a few of the topics covered in this episode:
Resources mentioned in the episode: Dave's Contact Information: The show was reco Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 76. Chapters of Our International Careers and What They Teach Us: Meet Long-Time Veteran Mark Lewis | 13 Apr 2025 | 00:58:38 | |
As international educators, like so many others, in a sense, we tend to write chapters to our life stories. These stories can be organized by countries, schools, travel, and, of course, the regular categories of relationships, family, children, aging, and so on. We were fortunate to catch our guest, Mark Lewis, just as he was reflecting about the chapters of his international experiences, with his retirement coming up in a couple of months. Mark is a seasoned international educator with experience at the International School Manila, American International School Riyadh, Concordia International School Shanghai, Bodwell International School, International School Ho Chi Minh City-American Academy, and BASIS Park Lane Harbour. He is currently a principal and teacher in the public school system in Canada. One of Mark’s core beliefs is that many of the world's future leaders will emerge from students educated in international schools. These students are often multilingual, have received top-tier education, networked with ambitious peers, come from families of means, and almost always pursue higher education degrees—traits that are well-suited to leadership roles. This leadership may manifest in local communities, small business ventures, significant corporate positions, or even public office. It is crucial that international schools continue preparing their students for leadership roles by fostering a skill set that goes beyond academic excellence. We asked "soon-to-be-retired" Mark the guiding question: “What are some of your lessons learned from the various roles you experienced during your years of going global?” With such a long career in international schooling, Mark had a lot of gems to share with us:
Resources mentioned in the episode: EARCOS East Asia Regional Council of Schools NESA - Near East/South Asia Council of Overseas Schools Mark’s Contact Information: This episode was record Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 75. Get Well Soon(ish)! Laying the Groundwork for Much-Needed, Sustainable, Holistic Wellness Programs. | 28 Mar 2025 | 01:14:24 | |
Where does your school stand in terms of designing, implementing and measuring the effectiveness of its whole-school wellness program? Several of our thought-leader guests have told us that wellness is at the top of the to do list for many international schools. Along with Wellness, another recurring topic in our episodes is change management, especially around the development of new programs. We hear stories about initiative fatigue and the dropping of programs when their champions leave the school. With so much talk around wellness and change management we decided to invite Alison Leathwood on the show to share an overview of how to design and implement a schoolwide wellness program that is sustainable. Alison is an international school physical education teacher who is passionate about wellness. She is dedicated to equipping students with the tools they need for both physical and emotional wellbeing. She extends this passion beyond the classroom, having served in various leadership roles including HS Advisory Curriculum Coordinator, EC-12 Personal Development Coordinator, Wellness Committee Chair and currently serving as the Head of Department for PE. Through these leadership roles, Alison strives to create a lasting positive impact on the social-emotional well-being of the entire school community. Our guiding question for this show was, “How might international school leaders approach the development of a school- and community-wide wellness program based on Positive Psychology?” Alison offered such a detailed framework along with so many practical strategies that it is futile to try and summarize them here. So I will share just a handful of the topics to whet your appetite for designing an effective wellness program at your school! Here they are:
Resources mentioned in the episode: David’s Wellness@ES site for integrating Pos Psych into the elementary school Alison’s Contact Information: X: @peleathwood
This episode was recorded on February 24, 2025. Categories: Wellness | Leadership | Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 74. Smile! You're Starting a New School. A Candid Conversation with a Master School Starter, ASB Director Dave McMaster. | 14 Mar 2025 | 00:54:31 | |
If you’ve ever visited the International Schools Services website, you may have noticed at some stage that they added a button at the top that said “start a school”. The button has now moved to the bottom of the page, but it’s still there. For us, it always felt like that line from the movies, “I wonder what happens if I press this button?” Well, Dave McMaster is a brave soul who has “pushed the button” on starting a school, not once, but three times. We think it’s fair to say that Dave knows what happens! Dave has 35 years of K-12 education experience, primarily in leadership roles across Canada, Hong Kong, and Bahrain. He joined the Esol organization in Bahrain in September 2018, and led the founding team in establishing the American School of Bahrain, which opened its doors in September 2020. The school began with just over 100 students amid the COVID-19 pandemic and has grown to nearly 800 students in its first five years of operation. Prior to this role, Dave served as Principal and Head of School at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) from 2002 to 2014. During his tenure, CDNIS was recognized as the top international school in Hong Kong for seven consecutive years. Dave has founded three schools, with the most recent being the American School of Bahrain. Dave’s authenticity as an educational leader is a recognized force that motivates students, parents, staff, and management to continually advance the status quo, ensuring excellence in educational provision and learning. He emphasizes what he calls the "smile index" as a key barometer for assessing a school's success. Dave also possesses extensive experience in recruiting and retaining top international educators, which he considers crucial to the success of founding ASB. Dave holds a Bachelor of Education from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. He also earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University. Our Guiding Question was, “How does one start an international school?” Here are a few of the topics covered in this episode:
Resources mentioned in the episode: Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 73. Retrospective: The Lincoln School, Kathmandu - At 71, Still A Special Place | 28 Feb 2025 | 00:41:23 | |
How do international schools get their start- in particular the original ones from so many years ago? Many of them had very humble beginnings, with a handful of students, a few parents (usually spouses of diplomats or business people who had moved overseas) and a large house or a few rooms where lessons could be held. At 71 years of age, The Lincoln School in Kathmandu, Nepal is one such school. In this “case study-style” interview, we were lucky enough to be able to speak with Barbara Butterworth, who was head of the school from 1998 - 2005. Barbara is an educator whose career originally took her to Nepal as a Peace Corps Volunteer, where she taught math and science. She also taught science education at two different colleges and served as a principal/director at four different schools: a private elementary school, a public elementary school, an international school, and a noted Nepali high school. From 1998 to 2005, she was the director of the Lincoln School, the American international school in Nepal. A graduate of Wellesley College, Cornell University, and Stanford University, Barbara’s career in education has also included leading a major USAID teacher training project in Cambodia. Our Guiding Questions were, “At 71 years of age, Lincoln School is one of the “OG” international schools. How did the Lincoln School get its start and what makes the Lincoln School community a special place to be?” Here are a few of the topics covered in this episode:
The show was recorded on February 10, 2025. Categories: School Life | Crisis Management | School Missions | Recruiting Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 72. Going "Unglobal": More Stories From Our Trio of Vets --Transitioning Out of International Education | 14 Feb 2025 | 01:09:41 | |
International educators, are you ready for the day when you go “unglobal”? We gazed into our crystal ball again with our all-star panel of Amy Hunt, David Ross, and Rob Howe, this time to learn how to transition out of international education. David Ross is a retired international educator. He began teaching in California, then moved to Malaysia with his family to teach at ISKL. He then took a sabbatical with his family to bike across Europe and ended up in Vietnam. He taught for nine years at SSIS. He enjoys SCUBA diving, playing in a band, pickleball, and cooking. He has also been a proactive investor and proponent of financial literacy. Rob Howe is a business professional. He began his career in the technology industry. After a 1.5-year sabbatical, he met his wife, an international teacher, and decided to become one. His first position was in Indonesia. He then returned to the US, started a new career in sustainability consulting, and adopted two children from India. In 2014, he returned overseas. Posts included Lebanon, Zimbabwe, and Vietnam. Amy Hunt teaches Psychology and Science of Mind at Nueva School in San Francisco. After a year in outdoor education, Amy left the US to teach in Ethiopia, where she met her husband, Lee Fertig. They later moved to Brazil, then back to the US, followed by stints in Spain, Brazil, and Belgium before returning to the US in 2020. A curious risk-taker, Amy is also a yoga therapist. She reads a lot, loves murder shows, pickleball, taking hikes and cold plunges. Our Guiding Question was, “What are some of your takeaways after transitioning out of international teaching?” Panelists shared their experiences moving out of international education to return to the US. Here are a few topics covered:
Resources Mentioned: The poem Ithaca Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 89. Finding Our Way Forward Through Tough Transitions: The SPAN Program, with Amy Shuflin and Lina Paumgarten | 17 Oct 2025 | 00:51:32 | |
We all seek to belong. It’s a human need. If you’ve moved schools, you know transitions can be tough. Thankfully, the Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN) program, created by Dr. Doug Ota, provides a transitions care framework for schools. In this episode, we spoke with Amy Shuflin and Lina Paumgarten, developers of resources for SPAN. Amy worked for 17 years in Venezuela and Malaysia. She is currently the SPAN Resource Lead. She is passionate about schools caring for the needs of the full community and has integrated transitions care into her work in various roles. She has a B.A. in Youth Ministry, an MEd. in Curriculum and Instruction and is a Youth Mental Health First Aider. Amy enjoys meeting people, cooking, and spending time with her family. Lina previously served as Counselor and Wellness Coordinator at Nido de Aguilas in Santiago, Chile. She is now working on her PhD in psychology, focusing on suicide prevention in international education. Lina likes to explore the outdoors, stay active, and spend time with friends, family and her dog. She believes in the power of embracing our full humanity through life’s changes, which are inevitable -- and an opportunity for growth. The guiding question was: “How can schools build or enhance a program rooted in positive transitions-care?” Topics covered:
Recorded: July 13, 2025. Lina’s LinkedIn, Instagram, linapaumgarten.com Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 71. Fostering Global Citizens Through Service Learning: Stories of Changemaking, with LeeAnne Lavender | 31 Jan 2025 | 01:19:38 | |
Most international schools make it part of their mission to nurture global citizens who are in service to their community. Like all big, worthy goals, this needs lots of planning, implementation support, and accountability to determine if the school is on track. The usual questions come into play: who, what, why, etc. -- with the "how" being most prominent in our interview with LeeAnne Lavender, who helps schools with their service learning and global citizenship development efforts. LeeAnne is a consultant, coach and facilitator for international educators. She partners with schools and teachers to create learning experiences that have impact and lead to deep learning and service as action. LeeAnne is also the Service Learning Program Coordinator for the Association of International Schools in Africa. You can learn more on her website. Our Guiding Questions were, “What is service learning? What is global citizenship? What are some ways to integrate both into the culture of a school?” Here are a few of the topics covered in this episode:
Resources mentioned in the episode: LeeAnne’s Website Thoughtbox Education Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 70. Prepare to Be "Bolled" Over By All Things AI for Teachers! Meet Michael Boll. | 17 Jan 2025 | 00:45:23 | |
We catch up with Michael Boll who is always on the bleeding edge, playing with the latest and greatest finding ways to use technology for teaching and learning. We have huge admiration for his tech savvy and also his adventurous spirit and his willingness to share his knowledge with us lesser mortals. Not to mention that his dry wit and self-deprecating humor weave through every interaction we have with him. Michael is a jack-of-all-trades educator, instructor, and designer, and is no stranger to juggling his expertise in education, training, startups, technology, and marketing – all while balancing on a unicycle. His mission, as he has chosen to accept it, is to fearlessly blend existing and newfangled technologies in the classroom, creating an educational smoothie of epic proportions. Michael and his wife Lori are parents to an adult child with profound autism. Their family experiences have motivated them to assist all educators to provide all students with inclusive learning opportunities in education. Our Guiding Question was, “How can teachers learn to effectively use AI in their teaching? What are some instructional techniques that they can tap into right now?” Here are a few topics covered in this episode:
Michaels’s Contact Information: AI Teacher Tips Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Visit Michael’s AI Teacher Tips for the resources shared in the interview. The show was recorded on December 17, 2024.
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 69. Got kids? You May Want to Listen Up: The Doctor is IN! A Chat With Dr. Jeff Devens, PhD. | 06 Jan 2025 | 00:58:03 | |
In all forms of school, there are some educators who really stand out as having “a way” with kids. Their ability to develop relationships of mutual trust and respect is second-to-none. Jeff Devens is one such educator. He has a way of putting everyone at ease. Jeff joined us for another episode – not to talk about finance this time, but to talk about his day job – working to support students and parents in international schools. As Audrey noted in her introduction to the episode, get your notebook and pen handy as Dr. Devens shares so much helpful information! For 29 years, Dr. Devens has worked in international education as a school psychologist, counselor, and classroom educator. Jeff completed his Ph.D. in School Psychology in 2006. His dissertation research focused on depression rates among international students. Growing up on public assistance and the only one of five children to graduate from high school, Jeff uniquely appreciates the hurt, heartache, and angst that parents encounter when raising kids. His first book, A Parent’s Guide to Raising Kids Overseas, was released in 2018. Jeff’s wife, Nanette, is also an international educator. They have two children: Cylas, a college freshman, and Cora, a high school sophomore. Our Guiding Question was, “Is parenting overseas different from parenting in one’s home country? What are some things to think about?” Here are a few topics Jeff covered in this episode:
Where to learn more: The Facebook group Expat Financial Education run by Andrew Hallam Resources Mentioned in the Episode: David’s Wellness@ES website which includes a section on Digital WellnessDr. Jonathan Haight’s Anxious Generation website and Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 68. Season's Greetings: Our Season 2 Wrapped Up For You! | 20 Dec 2024 | 00:56:05 | |
Join us for our second anniversary show as we review and celebrate all the incredible guests from this past year. Our review provides some insights for each interview that might lead you to return to shows you previously enjoyed – and to seek out those you missed – to take a listen! We organized the episodes into the themes of:
The show was recorded on December 14, 2024.
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 67. International Kid Turned International Teacher: The Journey of Maxwell Carpenter | 06 Dec 2024 | 00:49:15 | |
We found Maxwell Carpenter globe-trotting into his first gig as an international teacher. We spoke to him about his experiences along the way. Maxwell Carpenter is an IB Physics teacher at St George's British International School of Rome. He began teaching in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington DC after studying Physics, Math, and Education at Virginia Tech. He is interested in exploring interdisciplinary approaches to education, drawing from his interests in philosophy, mythology, history, and comparative religion. In his free time, he enjoys reading and collecting, drinking and sharing tea. The Guiding Questions were, “What has your move to being an international educator looked like — from recruiting to onboarding to transitioning to orientation? Now, with a couple of months of international teaching experience under your belt, how goes it?” Here are a few topics covered in the interview:
Categories: PD | School Life | Travel | Recruiting Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 66. Tales From a Trio of Intrepid Educators: Adventures and "Lessons Learned" As Told By a Panel of Veteran International Teachers | 27 Nov 2024 | 01:14:44 | |
Get ready to learn a lot about international education as we interview three long-term veterans while sharing a few insights ourselves. David Ross is a retired 58-year-old international educator. He began teaching elementary school in Los Angeles, then moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with his family to teach at ISKL for six years. He then took a one-year sabbatical with his family to bike across Europe and ended up in Saigon, Vietnam. He taught grade four for nine years at SSIS and coached middle and high school men’s volleyball. He enjoys SCUBA diving, free diving, playing in a band, pickleball, staying fit, and cooking. He has also been a proactive investor and proponent of financial literacy. Rob Howe is a 56-year-old business professional and international educator. He began his career in the technology industry. After a 1.5-year sabbatical from work, he met his wife, an international teacher, and decided to become one. His first opportunity was in Jakarta, Indonesia, for two years at NJIS. He then returned to the USA, started a new career in sustainability consulting, and adopted two children from India. In 2014, he returned to overseas teaching. Posts included Beirut, Lebanon, Harare, Zimbabwe, and Saigon, Vietnam at SSIS. He participated in the Sustainability Council at each school and is an avid hiker, biker, gardener, and explorer. Amy Hunt is currently teaching Psychology and Science of Mind at Nueva School in the San Francisco Bay Area. After earning an MAT and spending a year in outdoor education in 1987, Amy left the US at age 25 to teach IB English in Addis Ababa, where she met her husband, Lee Fertig. They moved together to Rio, where Amy also began teaching IB Theory of Knowledge. They moved to the U.S. for awhile and then went back overseas, for more beautiful experiences in Barcelona, São Paulo, and Brussels before returning to the US in 2020. A curious risk-taker and boundary-stretcher, Amy has taught many subjects and recently became a certified yoga therapist. She reads a lot, loves murder shows and pickleball, takes hikes and cold plunges, and tries to coax her three 20-something children to fly the nest. Our Guiding Question was, “What are some lessons learned from your careers as international educators?” Here are a few topics covered in this episode:
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 65. Teachers Are Learners, Too!: Professional Development from 21st Century Learning | 08 Nov 2024 | 00:52:07 | |
What makes great professional development? We spoke with Justin Hardman, the founder and Director of 21st Century Learning, about professional development for international educators. Since 2012, 21st Century Learning has connected more than 20,000 K-12 educators with a wide variety of face-to-face and online professional learning opportunities. Beyond professional learning, Justin has a passion for supporting schools in better-integrating technology into school programs with a focus on strategy, leadership, and planning for systemic change. He was Director of Technology at Hong Kong International School and has led EdTech consultancy projects with many of the leading international schools in the Asia Pacific region. Our Guiding Questions were, “What does the landscape of professional learning opportunities look like? What is the menu of offerings for educators to design personalized learning plans?” Here are some of the topics covered:
Justin’s Contact Information: 21st Century Contact Page | X: jahardman Resources Mentioned in the Episode:Breathing Fire Into Web 2.0 The show was recorded on September 3, 2024. Categories: PD | School Life | Wellness Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 64. Transitions Happen! Audrey and Mark Forgeron, Veteran International Educators, Share Their Tips | 26 Oct 2024 | 01:16:37 | |
Transitions are a given when you are an international educator. Audrey Forgeron is a 30-year, nine-country international teaching veteran. She has taught Health and PE, French, Information Technology, and Film. She has recently transitioned from teaching to life coaching. Mark Forgeron has spent 40 years as a teacher, with 38 years teaching internationally. Nepal is now his 10th country, and he has always been a middle-level math teacher. Mark has enjoyed teaching in all regions of the world, always looking for a new and non-lateral location. He has served as a math teacher and math coordinator, a middle school coordinator, and a coach of middle school, high school, and community sports, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and track & field. Our Guiding Question was, “What are some tried-and-true ways to prepare to transition to a new school and country?” Here are some of the topics covered:
Audrey’s Contact Information: educatorsgoingglobal@gmail.com, LinkedIn.com/in/aforgeron Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 63. Future Proofing Education: Words of Wisdom from Michael Nachbar of GOA | 11 Oct 2024 | 00:59:10 | |
We so enjoyed our first chat with Michael Nachbar, Executive Director of the Global Online Academy (GOA) that we asked him to come back for a second interview! Just as before, Michael tackled our questions with vigor and showed an incredible depth of knowledge. We are curious about the concept of “future-proofing” education, so it made sense to consider Michael’s take as a future-focused thinker. With that in mind, our guiding question was: “What does online learning look like going forward, especially given the rapid growth of AI?” Here are some of the topics covered:
Michael spearheads a global network of schools and educators dedicated to transforming education. His expertise lies in integrating foundational teaching principles with cutting-edge technologies and innovative pedagogies. Michael regularly presents at conferences on topics including leadership and innovation trends. His thought leadership is widely recognized and respected across the educational community. He is also a Lakeside School trustee and has served on the boards of the NAIS, the Mastery Transcript Consortium, Summer Search, the ISAnet, and JUMP! Foundation. Michael holds an M.A. in Education Leadership from Columbia. He began with Teach For America, laying a strong foundation for his ongoing commitment to educational excellence, innovation, and equity. Resources Mentioned: Michael’s Blog Post “Seven Predictions for Education in 2024.” Michael’s Contact Information: LinkedIn | Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 62. Shhhh! We're Here With Greg Lemoine to Reveal "The Best-kept Secret" in Education. | 27 Sep 2024 | 00:52:21 | |
Who is growing a media empire based on international teaching? Who loves going to recruiting conferences? And who writes entire books in a weekend? The answer, of course, is our fellow podcasting buddy Greg Lemoine. Greg wrote a follow-up to his award-winning (we awarded it a gold star) first book, “Finding the Right Fit: Your Professional Guide for International Educator Recruiting Fairs and Amazing Stories of a Teacher Living Overseas.” His second book is “International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education”. In this episode, we took a peek at some of those secrets. Greg also publishes the International Teacher Podcast with his partners, rounding out the offerings of his content creation empire. The Guiding Question for this episode was: What tips, strategies, and takeaways can you share from your new book, International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education? Here are a few of the topics Greg addressed in this episode:
Greg’s Contact Information: The International Teacher podcast is available on all podcasting platforms. Contact Greg and his podcasting partners at internationalteacherpodcast@gmail.com. Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 88. Pre-launch: Hear From Hannah and Jared, a Couple Who are Keen to Go Global, and the Amazing Pre-work They have Done So Far! | 03 Oct 2025 | 01:08:00 | |
There’s nothing quite as inspiring as learning from a great role model. If you aspire to become an international educator, our guests today—Hannah and Jared Keen—will truly impress you as they share invaluable insights, backed by their careful planning and resourcefulness. Join us to hear their story and learn what it takes to thrive in the highly competitive world of international school recruiting. Side note: Did you listen to episode 87 with Diane Jacoutout of Edvectus in which she she shared tips for first-timers to international recruiting? If you missed it, do check it out: It wil set you up for this interview with the Keens. Jared and Hannah have been teaching in US public schools for 10 years. Jared teaches Language Arts and Social Studies while Hannah has taught in Primary English & Spanish Dual Language programs across all subjects. Our guiding questions were: “What makes you so keen to go global? What steps are you taking to become international educators?” Topics covered include:
Jared and Hannah’s LinkedIn In Information: Jared | Hannah Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 61. EGG is Resource-full! Audrey and David Share Some Helpful Resources From Our Website | 13 Sep 2024 | 00:24:37 | |
We always say, "Do your research!" AIELOC Resource page Safe Passages - Doug Ota’s work (counseling and consulting) and book
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 60. Why Travel With Kids? We Asked YTravel Blog's Caroline Makepeace. She Schooled Us! | 30 Aug 2024 | 00:50:41 | |
Fellow podcaster and big-time travel blogger Caroline Makepeace joined us to share tips and insights when traveling with children. Caroline and her husband Craig usually report their travel wisdom through platforms like Lonely Planet, Travel + Leisure, Forbes, and the Today Show. Hence, we count ourselves fortunate to be able to tap into Caroline’s wisdom, as family travel is a significant part of being an international educator! Caroline Makepeace is the co-founder of two successful online publications: This is Raleigh, a platform for anyone looking to explore the best of Wake County, North Carolina, and YTravelBlog, one of the world's most influential travel blogs. An avid traveler, she has lived in five countries (and taught in them), has traveled to over 50, and has traveled full-time for seven years with her two daughters. It's her mission to inspire and empower others to travel more and create a life they love. Our Guiding Question was, “What can parents do to optimize traveling with their children?” Here are a few of the topics Caroline addressed in this episode:
Caroline’s Contact Information: YTravel Blog
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 59. Reframing Diversity to Drive Belonging In International Schools: A Chat With the Multi-Talented, Big-Hearted Dr. Derrick Gay | 20 Aug 2024 | 01:01:33 | |
How do you tame your curiosity and limit your questions when talking to a man who sings opera, speaks five languages, and consults with hundreds of organizations ranging among the fields of education, financial services, beauty and fashion, non-profits, and the arts? This was our task when interviewing Dr. Derrick Gay on the topic of helping school communities flourish. Dr. Gay is a globally recognized intercultural competency strategist dedicated to fostering cultures of dignity and respect. With multifaceted expertise as an international speaker, author, researcher, educator, and university lecturer, Dr. Gay empowers individuals and organizations to deepen belonging and empathy by cultivating shared language, raising awareness, and fostering inclusive personal behaviors and organizational practices and policies. Drawing from his extensive international experience, Dr. Gay designs meaningful strategies that resonate across various industries and cultures. His approach, informed by research and practitioner experiences in over 50 countries, facilitates meaningful connections and promotes belonging on a global scale. Fluent in five languages, Dr. Gay has supported a broad clientele spanning the globe, including over 800 organizations in education, financial services, beauty and fashion, non-profits, and the arts. Beyond international schools, his clients range from Yale to Oberlin Conservatory, Phantom of the Opera to Tom Ford, The Guggenheim Museum to Barilla — and Sesame Street. Dr. Gay has served as adjunct faculty/lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, International Fashion Academy, Parsons Paris, and Teachers College at Columbia University. He has also served on several education-related boards. Our guiding question was, “What pathways should school communities follow as they seek to flourish in terms of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging?” Dr. Gay unpacked several topics, including
Dr. Gay’s Contact Information: Websi Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 58. The School Heard Around the World: Global Online Academy, Directed by Michael Nachbar | 10 Aug 2024 | 01:01:41 | |
Are you a small school wishing you could expand your course offerings? A student who has always wanted to explore a new area of study? Or maybe a teacher longing to teach about a passion topic area that is not offered at your school? Well, look no further! Our Guiding Question for this first show was, “What is the Global Online Academy (GOA), and how does it approach online learning from a humanistic perspective?” Here are some of the topics covered:
Michael spearheads a global network of schools and educators dedicated to transforming education. His expertise lies in integrating foundational teaching principles with cutting-edge technologies and innovative pedagogies. A sought-after speaker, Michael regularly presents at national and international conferences on topics including non-profit leadership and educational innovation trends. His thought leadership is widely recognized and respected across the educational community. In addition to his role at GOA, Michael serves as a Lakeside School trustee. He has served on the boards of many other organizations, including the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), as a founding board member of the Mastery Transcript Consortium, Summer Search, the Independent School Association Network (ISAnet), and JUMP! Foundation. Michael holds a B.A. in English and Psychology from Indiana University and earned an M.A. in Education Leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College. His career in education began as a Teach For America corps member, laying a strong foundation for his ongoing commitment to educational excellence, innovation, and equity. Michael’s Contact Information: LinkedIn | Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 57. Do You Have a Minute? Let's Talk About Bullying. Insights From Alain Pelletier on the Cost of Silence | 20 Jul 2024 | 01:15:26 | |
What is bullying? What are the roles we see in a bullying situation? What can we do to help reduce the incidence of bullying in schools and on social media and to arm students with the social skills to help them avoid becoming victims? Alain Pelletier joined us for this episode to talk about his work in schools to raise awareness around bullying. Alain is a professional Canadian public speaker. Since 2008, he has given over 1400 conferences, presentations, and workshops on bullying to over 900 schools. Our Guiding Question was, “How can we recognize bullying? What can educators, parents, and other students do to prevent it? How can they respond to it when it happens?” Here are a few of the topics that Alain spoke to regarding bullying:
Alain’s Contact Information: Website
Categories: School Life | Bullying | Wellness Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 56. After the Bell: Co-curricular Activities Unpacked, With Nick DeForest of the Globetrottin' ADs | 05 Jul 2024 | 01:05:46 | |
We were so happy to interview fellow podcaster Nick DeForest! One of our wishes has been to have a guest who could explain what co-curricular programming looks like at international schools after school and on weekends. Nick, with his GLOBETROTTIN’ ADs podcast and website, is at the center of a global network of athletic directors and activity coordinators. As such, he can speak to what this programming looks like in international elementary, middle, and high schools. Nick DeForest is the Assistant Director of the Events Office at AIS Vienna, Austria. He is the founder of the Globetrottin’ ADs and the author of A Global Playbook, which can be found on Amazon. Originally from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Nick has been in Austria since 2000 and is passionate about connecting international school Athletic Directors, Coaches, Teachers, and Students from around the world. Our Guiding Question was, “What does co-curricular programming look like in international schools?” Nick addressed several topics:
Nick’s Contact Information: Globetrottin’ ADs Website and Podcast | Facebook Group | X - Nick_GTADS Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Nick’s Book - A Global Playbook: How Every International School Can Raise Its Game International Coach: State of the Industry Survey 2023 International Athletic Director: Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 55. Educators Representing the Global Majority: Kevin Simpson and AIELOC Have Your Back! | 21 Jun 2024 | 01:18:08 | |
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, and belief system could have a champion? Well, they do! It’s the Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color, founded by Kevin Simpson. Kevin joined us to speak to his efforts through AIELOC to expand DEIJ learning in international schools. Kevin is a native of Flint, Michigan. He owns and operates KDSL Global, an international education consulting company launched in 2016 in the USA and the United Arab Emirates. He and his team have served thousands of schools, educators, and leaders worldwide in over 60 countries. The majority of his work in education has centered on American curriculum schools overseas. Kevin is the founder of the Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) and Co-Founder of Resourceya. Our Guiding Question was, “How are you and your team working to fulfill the mission of AIELOC?”
The show was recorded on March 21, 2024. Kevin’s Contact Information: LinkedIn Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC)
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 54. Where are They Now? Updates From No-Longer Newbies Mel & Cole, Tonya and Jessica | 07 Jun 2024 | 01:01:49 | |
This was a special episode as we caught up with some of our previous guests who are finishing either their first or second year of international teaching. As expected, they had many lessons and tips to share! Tonya Busse joined us from Kingston, Jamaica. Jessica Simmons connected from Abuja, Nigeria. And Mel Idema and Cole Savage dialed in from Abu Dhabi. You can listen to their individual interviews if you missed them. Mel & Cole, a married couple in their second year were on for Episode 13, Tonya Busse, a single teacher in her first year was our guest for Episode 29, and Jessica Simpson, a married teacher with a trailing spouse husband, joined us for Episode 31 Our Guiding Question was, “Based on the past school year, how is your experience of international teaching going?” To help answer this question, our no-longer “newbies” answered the following subquestions:
The show was recorded on May 11, 2024. Contact Information: Tonya - Instagram @tonya_busse Mel and Cole - Their blogs: The Global Traveler’s Wife and The Wandering Learner.
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 53. Mr. Data (But With a Human Touch!) - Meet Chris Smith and Learn to Embrace Educational Data | 24 May 2024 | 00:43:12 | |
"Mr. Data, make it so" Through his 25 years in international education, Chris noticed schools and educators collecting data but seeming overwhelmed by it or needing help knowing what to do with it. So, he began coaching, teaching, and consulting with schools and educators to help them discover what data they needed and how they could turn it into information that led to useful insights and informed decision-making. Chris has engaged with school districts in the United States and international schools worldwide through this work. Chris is passionate about helping educators and school leaders save time and make sense of their data. Here are a few of the topics covered in this episode:
Our Guiding Question was, “Why is data gathering and analysis so important in our schools? Second, how are technology and information processing integral to teaching and learning in our schools?” Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 52. Longing for Belonging? Let Douglas Beam Help Point the Way! | 10 May 2024 | 01:20:09 | |
We all -- students and teachers alike -- long to belong. Here are some of the topics covered:
The show was recorded on February 16, 2024. Douglas’ Contact Information: LinkedIn Douglas Beam Categories: School Life | Transitions Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Douglas’ Doctoral Thesis on Belonging in International Schools Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 87. Truth Bombs About Recruiting for and Accepting a Job Overseas: A Candid Conversation with Diane Jacoutot of Edvectus | 19 Sep 2025 | 01:12:48 | |
Are you new to international education? If so, imagine sitting down with a trusted guide to get helpful tips on what to expect during recruiting and onboarding—and red flags to watch for. Someone with years of experience working with both teacher candidates and hiring schools. Incredibly, we found such a person. If you listened to our first interview with Diane Jacoutot of Edvectus, you are familiar with her candor and willingness to share her wisdom around recruiting. In this show, Diane led us through what can be a minefield for folks new to this process – and even, TBH, for international teaching veterans. After a career in computer development at IBM, Diane got her start in recruitment bringing international teachers to US state schools. She has founded two international school recruitment companies including Edvectus. Diane believes in ethical, transparent recruitment and founded Edvectus to solve the biggest problem she encountered: Teachers don’t know what they don’t know about teaching overseas. Our 3 guiding questions were:
What common red flags should candidates watch out for during the international school recruiting process? If a teacher lands at a school that is poorly managed or different from what was portrayed during recruitment, how do you suggest they address the situation? Some of the topics covered include:
Resources mentioned: Diane’s EGG blog post on how the pandemic changed recruiting Diane’s First EGG Interview “The Deets on All Things Recruiting” Diane’s Contact Information: LinkedIn Recorded on September 9, 2025 Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 51. When Kids are Part of the Equation: Recruiting as a Family, With Claire and Jamel | 26 Apr 2024 | 01:03:15 | |
It is such a treat to reconnect with a former student and to discover where their life has led them. In this episode, we reconnected with Claire Gaul, a student from our Saudi days. Claire and her husband, Jamel, teach at their third international post, a school in China. They shared so many great insights that you might have to listen to the episode twice to take them all in! Claire is originally from California, and Jamel was raised in Alsace in a Tunisian/Algerian family. They enjoy traveling, grilling, and being outdoors. They have 9-year-old twins (Luke and Leia) who are in 4th grade. Luke loves animals, electronics, mixed tapes, and researching how to be prepared for worst-case scenarios. Leia loves reading, cats, macaroons, and drawing comics. The guiding question for this episode was, “What are some common experiences for international teaching families?” Jamel and Claire covered many topics, including:
This episode was recorded on December 9, 2023. Contact Information: Claire on LinkedIn and Jamel on LinkedIn Resources Mentioned in the Episode: IB Diploma Programme Design Technology Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 50. Embodying Your Values: Meet Kam Chohan, Executive Director of ECIS | 12 Apr 2024 | 00:42:57 | |
Can you feel the energy in the air? This was a zinger of an episode! With a background in education and leadership, Kam Chohan is a learning leader who brings insight, wisdom, and compassion to the role. She demonstrates the ability to build meaningful, lasting relationships that contribute to personal and organizational development and improvement. Kam is a passionate educator and has enjoyed lecturing in mathematics and business in previous roles. As an example of her commitment to student learning, Kam worked with the UK Government’s Behaviour Insights Team to apply the Nudge Theory to improve student outcomes on a national level. This highlights her innovative approach to education and her commitment to making a positive impact. Kam received the 1885 NEASC Award for Exemplary Service to Education in December 2022. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of education, further confirming Kam’s dedication and excellence in her work. Kam is committed to social justice and equity through diversity, inclusion, and intercultural understanding in international education. Our Guiding Question was, “What does the ECIS organization do, and how can educators access its services?” Kam covered many topics, including:
The show was recorded on January 9, 2024. Kam’s Contact Information: LinkedIn
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 49. Starting With the Man in the Mirror: Examining Our Practice With an Eye to Improving DEIJ - A Rich Conversation with Ken Shelton | 29 Mar 2024 | 01:24:05 | |
Warning: Show contains critical amounts of meaty information! Ken Shelton joined us to discuss how schools can effectively design and implement new programs. He used DEIJ as a case study for managing the change process. Ken Shelton is an award-winning educator and international keynote speaker addressing critical issues from multimedia literacy to cultural intelligences to Artificial Intelligence. Ken has over two decades of experience and an MEd specializing in Ed Tech and New Media Design and Production. An Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Innovator, and Microsoft Innovative Educator, Ken has also served on California's Education Technology Task Force. His accolades, including the Digital Equity Professional Learning Network Excellence Award, Computer Using Educators Platinum Disc Award, ISTE's Making IT Happen Award, and EdTech Magazine's top influencer, underscore his commitment to enhancing digital learning while addressing the challenges of digital equity. Our Guiding Question was, “What tools do school leaders need in their change management toolkits as they work to design and implement policies and programs to grow awareness and understanding of the principles of DEIJ within their communities?” Here are some topics Ken unpacked:
The show was recorded on March 1, 2024. Ken’s Website Resources Mentioned: Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 48. Shedding "Light" on What Keeps Heads Up at Night - A Second Conversation With Laura Light | 15 Mar 2024 | 00:44:30 | |
What keeps international school heads awake at night? What all-important areas of decision-making currently occupy their thoughts? What trends in international education are they focused on? To find out, we again reached out to the very well-connected Laura Light, Executive Director of the Association for the Advancement of International Education. Laura joined AAIE in 2021, bringing in years of experience working alongside school heads and senior leadership, supporting the critical task of recruiting teachers and administrative talent. Before joining AAIE, Laura served as the Director of Global Recruitment at International Schools Services (ISS). Before joining ISS in 2007, Laura was an international educator for many years, working in Kuwait, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Singapore, and London, as well as the United States. Her knowledge of international schools is deeply rooted in her upbringing as she is also a Third Culture Kid. Laura has served on the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children Educational Board and is a member of the Diversity Collaborative. She understands the challenges faced and is a natural community builder and an assertive advocate for quality leadership in our international schools worldwide. Laura greatly enjoys her work supporting international school leaders and values the interactions and experiences she encounters while traveling, which is her biggest joy. When not on the road, she resides in New Jersey with her partner. The guiding question for the episode was, “What are international school leaders and directors of regional organizations currently talking about?” We covered several topics, including:
This episode was recorded on September 25, 2023. Laura’s Contact Information: LinkedIn Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Several regional organizations were mentioned, so go to our Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 47. Consulting the Consultant: Updates from Jacqueline Mallais of JPMint Consulting | 29 Feb 2024 | 00:59:34 | |
International teacher consultant Jacqueline Mallais joined us once again from Guadalajara, Mexico, for this episode. Jacqueline is a former international teacher and school leader with over 20 years of experience in six countries on four continents. Since heading overseas in 1996, she has helped numerous teachers secure amazing opportunities abroad. Originally from Ottawa, Canada, and now living in beautiful Guadalajara, Mexico, Jacqueline offers her consulting services to teachers looking for personal help and guidance on their job search journey. Our Guiding Question was, “What lessons were learned last year in your role as an international teacher consultant? What is recruiting looking like now?” This was Jacqueline’s fourth interview with us; as always, we had many helpful takeaways. Our main interests were in finding out how things were going with her consulting business and the state of recruiting for the coming year. Jacqueline didn’t disappoint, providing detailed information that anyone in the recruiting arena would do well to take on board.
The show was recorded on November 21, 2023. Jacqueline’s Contact Information: Her website is JPMint Consulting
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 46. Meet a Recruiting Phenom: Pauline O'Brien from International Schools Services | 16 Feb 2024 | 01:15:28 | |
Who is the go-to resource for the lowdown on the current state of international school recruiting? Thanks to an introduction from super-connector Laura Light, we were fortunate enough to connect with one of the best-placed people for answers to our recruiting questions. Pauline O'Brien is the Global Recruitment Business Strategy Development Director at International School Services (ISS). We peppered Pauline with questions to help our listeners deepen their understanding of where things stand concerning recruiting and other trends in international education. Pauline has 20+ years of experience in professional recruiting, client service, and school board relations in international education. She has designed multi-faceted learning opportunities for international schools, which include competency-based recruiting strategies, skills-based interviewing methods, and STAR application profiles. Pauline has served on the International Task Force for Child Protection and has been a board member of Women’s Business Initiative International and ACCESS in the Netherlands. The guiding question was, "What are recent changes and trends in international school recruiting?" Here are some of the many topics that Pauline spoke to:
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 45. Want a Better CV? Better See V! A Conversation With Job Search Coach Valeria Laitinen | 02 Feb 2024 | 00:51:15 | |
Are you going recruiting? Is your résumé up to date? Are you prepared for your interviews? If not, maybe you’d better see V! Yes; that’s the tagline for Valeria Laitinen, an international school principal who moonlights as a consultant helping educators prepare for the international recruiting process. She can help with all aspects of the job-seeking endeavor, from A to Z. We covered several topics in this episode, including:
Valeria Laitinen is an international educator and administrator who has taught, worked, and lived in nine countries. In addition to working in schools, Valeria recently established a CV, cover letter, and job search consulting business called Better See V and has been supporting teachers, administrators, and job seekers outside of education to polish their application materials and find their next job. Valeria is married to a US diplomat, and they have two children in college in the US. Valeria is a third culture kid herself, as she was born in Italy to an Italian mother and American father and attended an international school in Milan through middle school before moving to the US for high school. Our guiding question was, “How can international educators make the most of the recruiting process?”. This episode was recorded on October 11, 2023.
George Mason University Teaching the International Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate Tales from a Small Planet City Reports and School Reports TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program US State Department Office of Overseas Schools Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 44. Tools to Help Make the Process of Choosing a School/City/Country More Objective | 19 Jan 2024 | 00:41:21 | |
Audrey and David dive into the blog post “Profiling Schools, Cities, and Countries” to bring listeners’ attention to the importance of planning for their next move. The post provides criteria for comparing and ranking schools, cities, and countries to help you be more objective when 1 - planning which schools to apply to and then 2 - comparing job offers when they come in. These tools should prove to be super helpful as you go through the processes of setting your priorities, researching schools, interviewing and then making that final decision. We strongly encourage you to read the post. One big topic we talk about is wellness. We mentioned David’s blog post on wellness, including a link to his Wellness@ES website. Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 43. Warm Vibes From Latin America: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Michael Adams of the TRI Association | 05 Jan 2024 | 01:11:03 | |
!Hola a todos! You are in for a real treat today. We were fortunate enough to speak with Michael Adams, Executive Director of the TRI Association. This is an association of schools in Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and the Caribbean. Michael embodies the spirit of community, connection, and sharing that supports the TRI mission. He also represents yet another current and ex-HOS that is genuine, dedicated, and wise in their leadership. Starting with his own Going Global Story and then throughout the interview, Michael demonstrated warmth and humanity that clearly reflected the vibe of the part of the world that is his chosen home. A few of the topics covered in the interview:
Dr. Adams is a long-time LATAM leader, educator, administrator, colleague, and friend!! More importantly, he is a very proud husband (going on 36 years with Clara Rico), father of three adult boys (David, Nicolas, and Tomas), and grandfather of two amazing little boys (Eduardo and Lucas)! After growing up as a TCK in Tokyo, Japan, attending ASIJ, and then going for his undergrad degree and graduate school in Texas, Michael has spent the past 33 years in Colombia and Mexico, an experience that has made him the person he is today: a true global citizen! Our two different guiding questions were, “What does the TRI Association do, and how can educators access its services?” This episode was recorded on November 6, 2023. Contact Information: TRI Association Contact Page Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Erma Anderson: Math in International Schools
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 42. The "OG" International Education Podcasters: Meet Dan Taylor and John Mikton of the ISP | 22 Dec 2023 | 00:56:10 | |
What happens when you speak with two leaders in the field of educational technology? You learn a lot! We were fortunate to speak with Dan Taylor and John Mikton, who, in their spare time, host the big dog of international education podcasting, The International Schools Podcast. Dan has been involved in the Google for Education community since 2006 and is the founder and director of AppsEvents, a Google-based PD provider. He has trained educators across the globe from El Salvador to Vietnam. John currently serves as the Primary Technology for Learning Coordinator at the International School of Geneva – La Châtaigneraie. John’s journey as an educator has spanned Africa, Asia, and Europe. Of those years, 18 have been in school leadership roles, particularly in educational technology leadership. In addition to his coordinator role, John works as a trainer and course designer at the Principal Training Center / Teacher Training Center and as a coach for the Faria Education Group. We asked the guiding question “What does technology use in teaching and learning look like post-pandemic and what it might look like going forward?” John and Dan responded with so many helpful insights! Here are a few:
Dan and John then reversed the course of the interview to ask us questions about the Educators Going Global podcast. We had fun comparing notes! Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 86. The Deets on All Things Recruiting: A Candid Conversation with Diane Jacoutot of Edvectus | 06 Sep 2025 | 01:16:50 | |
As we head into the busy recruiting season, you may be asking yourself, “What is the current state of international school hiring?” Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of international education or starting to build your foundational knowledge, this episode is for you. We’re excited to welcome Diane Jacoutot, Managing Director and founder of Edvectus, a leading international recruiting company, to answer pressing questions that go deeper than the usual approaches to recruiting. Diane shares what has changed — a great deal — and what remains constant in the ever-shifting landscape of international recruitment. After a career in computer development at IBM, Diane got her start in recruitment bringing international teachers to US state schools, and has founded two international school recruitment companies, including Edvectus. She believes in ethical, transparent recruitment and founded Edvectus to solve the biggest problem she encountered: that teachers don’t know what they don’t know about teaching overseas. Our guiding questions were: “What is the state of international recruiting? How does your company, Edvectus, support both educators and schools, especially with hiring for diversity?” Some topics covered include:
Resources mentioned: Diane’s guest blog post on how the pandemic changed recruiting Edvectus - Bespoke International Recruitment Expatistan - Cost of Living Comparisons Numbeo - Cost of Living Comparisons Profiling Schools, Cities and Countries Blog Post Diane’s Contact Information: Categories Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 41. Keeping Your Head While Becoming a Head: Greg Moncada's Story | 08 Dec 2023 | 00:40:11 | |
Imagine being a candidate to become a new Head of School! What would that be like? If you are a veteran international educator, you have most likely either participated in or witnessed your school finding a new Head of School. If you are going global for the first time, you might wonder how international schools are structured administratively — and if you make it through the first rounds of interviews, you will likely meet with the Head of School, sometimes called the Director or the Superintendent. And if you listened to our interview with Dr. Brent Mutsch, you learned how schools search for a new superintendent. After talking with Brent, we were curious about the Head of School recruiting process from a candidate’s perspective. Fortunately, we knew of an old friend from our Saudi days who had gone through the process a few times and had just completed it again to accept a new position as a Head of School in Harare, Zimbabwe. Our friend, Dr. Gregory Moncada, joined us in this episode to trace his recruiting game plan from start to finish. We caught up with Greg as he finalized his packing in the week before getting on the plane to head to Zimbabwe. Dr. Moncada is the Head of School for the Harare International School (HIS) in Zimbabwe. He was previously the founding director of the Qatar Academy for Science and Technology (QAST), the Qatar Foundation's new STEM school. Prior to HIS and QAST, Dr. Moncada started new schools and programs throughout his career, including a progressive middle school based on the 'This We Believe’ model and district-wide STEM programs at all grade levels. He specializes in developing student-centered learning models, progressive learning models, and multiverse organizational structures between schools and organizations. With more than 30 years of experience, Greg has held teaching and leadership positions in International schools in Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United States. Greg holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Minnesota. Our guiding question was, “What is it like to be a candidate going through a Head of School search?” Greg shared his strategies: deep research, lots of self-reflection, working with a recruiting agency, and engaging with the leader of the Search Committee to learn about the school and community. He also told us what happens when a candidate is a finalist and what a school visit is like. Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 40. Happy EGG-i-versary to Us! & a Walkthrough of our Website | 26 Nov 2023 | 00:45:08 | |
Over a year and a half ago, Audrey envisioned a website and podcast to help educators “go global”. She asked David to join her, and the work began – to provide written and audio content for our followers. Our first podcast episode went live in December of 2022, which makes this our first anniversary. Let’s celebrate our podcast guests and the growth of our information hub! Have you visited the Educators Going Global Information Hub website? It is a big part of our outreach connecting to our mission to spread the word about international education and to support those new to – and veterans of – international education. In this episode, we walk through the sections of the info hub while highlighting the search feature. We also spend time reflecting on our “lessons learned” from conversations with our guests. And have you ever wondered what it is like being a podcaster? We provide some behind-the-scenes information to partially answer this question. :) What will the second year for the information hub and podcast look like? Take a listen to learn what some of our plans are! This episode was recorded on November 15, 2023.
Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 39. What Does it Mean to Be an International Educator? We asked Sandy Sheppard to Share Her Wisdom on This Topic. | 24 Nov 2023 | 00:33:16 | |
Sometimes we happen to read articles and blog posts that ring true to us. Occasionally, we may even think, “Hey, this author could be talking about me and my experiences!” Well, guess what? I had this sensation when reading an article in TIEonline entitled “My Identity as an International Educator.” The article really nailed the character strengths, dispositions, and experiences of individuals who “go global” to teach. I shared the article with Audrey and said, “Let’s get the author, Sandy Sheppard, on the podcast” to help our listeners further build their understanding of what it means to be an international educator. Fortunately, Sandy said yes to our request for an interview. There were many takeaways from our interview with Sandy. One that may not become apparent to many of us until we have been “away from home” for a while is the extent to which international educators are “different.” We discussed these differences and how they impacted Sandy when she repatriated to New Zealand and attempted to resume her teaching career “back home.” If you have tried something similar, you may be able to connect with how she felt about what ensued. Sandy is an international educator who was born and raised in New Zealand. Sandy embarked on her international career three decades ago in Jakarta, Indonesia. Presently, she serves as an Elementary Principal in the vibrant city of Yangon, Myanmar. Sandy has raised two children internationally and advocates for the profound impact of high-quality international education in shaping future global citizens poised to enact positive change in the world. Our guiding question was, “What does it mean to be an international educator?”. Sandy touched on many themes that we know our veteran international educator listeners will be able to connect with! This episode was recorded on October 3, 2023. Contact Information: LinkedIn | Instagram: Sandy Lee Sheppard Resources Mentioned in the Episode: My Identity as an International Educator article in TIEonline. Categories: School Life | Transitions Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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| 38. What's Next in Education? -- And What's Europe Like? Two Vastly Different Questions, Addressed by Dr. Alan Knobloch | 10 Nov 2023 | 00:53:31 | |
You might have noticed that we like to ask big, juicy questions that our guests can sink their teeth into. We intend to provide you with as much information and rich detail as possible, which guides us in designing our questions. In this interview with Dr. Alan Knobloch, we went super big! We asked Alan for his insights on the future of education. Alan was ready for this question because he participated with other school leaders through the Academy for International School Heads (AISH) to compile a list of articles about the future of education. You can find a link to those resources in our Resource Library; the link is also listed in our show notes. Alan not only worked to answer our guiding question about the future of education but also expanded it to include what he sees as the purpose of education going forward. Talk about a big thinker! Alan spoke to many plans and initiatives that are a part of schools preparing for the future. Here are a few:
You might think your head will explode after listening to the first part of this episode with so much cutting-edge thinking. But we were not done with Alan! We asked him a second guiding question since he is the head of a school in Europe. So buckle up for the second half of the interview in which we ask, “What is it like teaching and living in Europe?” Dr. Alan Knobloch is in his second year as the Head of School at the International School of Hamburg after serving eight years as Director of the International School of Dakar in Senegal. With over 30 years of international experience, he has been a teacher and an administrator in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the United States. Our two very different guiding questions were, “Based on your research, what does the future of education look like?” and “What is it like teaching and living in Europe?” This episode was recorded on October 9, 2023. Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!
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