The International Schools Podcast is hosted by Dan Taylor and John Mikton. It explores how education is changing and what that means for people working in and around international schools.
Through conversations with educators, school leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and other voices from around the world, the podcast looks at leadership, AI and digital change, innovation, school culture, organisational development, and the wider changes shaping education.
The aim is to keep the conversations practical, thoughtful, and grounded in real experience.
Episodes
27 minutes ago
27 minutes ago
56 min
This episode looks at what it really means for an international school to be part of its local community. Michael and Jessica talk about the difference between simply helping and building real relationships based on trust, listening, and respect. They also reflect on belonging, responsibility, and the danger of schools living in a bubble. At the heart of the conversation is a simple question: would the local community feel as connected to the school as the school believes it is?
About Michael W. Adams, Ed.D
Michael W. Adams, Ed.D. is the Chief Learning Officer who Fosters Joyful & Caring Spaces so People can Thrive also known as Executive Director of the Association of American Schools of Central America, Colombia-Caribbean and Mexico (The Tri-Association).
Michael is an experienced international educator and school leader who has worked across Colombia and Mexico as a teacher, counselor, principal, director, and superintendent. He grew up in Tokyo, Japan, and graduated from the American School in Japan. He holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota and has spent more than 30 years working in international education.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwadams64/
About Jessica Benitez
Jessica Benítez is the Community Engagement Coordinator at Colegio Jorge Washington (COJOWA) in Cartagena, Colombia. She leads the school’s work in service learning and community engagement, helping students connect classroom learning with meaningful action in their local community.
With a background in peace and conflict studies, Jessica focuses on building respectful and sustainable community partnerships. Her work supports students and teachers in exploring global citizenship, social responsibility, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals through real-world learning experiences.
Resources
https://www.tri-association.org/about-us/executive-director
www.tri-association.org
https://botellasdeamor.org/
Solidarity for Colombia
https://cojowa.edu.co/
5 Essentials from COJOWA: How One School is Getting Service Learning Right
Fundación COJOWA (@fundacion_cojowa) • Instagram photos and videos
https://inspirecitizens.org/vignettes/2022/6/28/embedding-service-learning-one-schools-journey
COJOWA Keynote AMISA LeadCon25
John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org
Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt
Web: www.appsedu.com
Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube
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Nov 1, 2026
Nov 1, 2026
1 hr 21 min
This conversation explores what happens when AI becomes part of a school’s everyday systems, not just a classroom tool. It looks at how schools can use AI and data to support learning and reduce administration, while still protecting privacy, student agency, and human judgement. Andy Birch is Director of Technology at Hong Kong Academy, with 28 years of experience in international education and more than a decade leading technology in schools. He will be joined by Marishaan Kuehn, Flex Coordinator, who brings a practical perspective on how these systems affect learning, organisation, and the day-to-day experience of students and educators.
About Andy Birch
Andy has been at Hong Kong Academy for 16 years, serving as Technology Director for the past 12. Throughout HKA’s expansion into a K-12 institution and relocation to the purpose-built Sai Kung campus, he designed and implemented many of the school’s core operational systems. This background provides him with a thorough understanding of the workflows that support the school community.
As a systems thinker, Andy collaborates across all departments to streamline processes and integrate new technologies. His role also encompasses educational technology leadership. Recent initiatives focus on optimizing teacher workflows, delivering actionable data to students and faculty, and designing dashboards and communication flows that support the integrity of HKA’s educational program.
Originally from Jersey in the UK, Andy has 30 years of experience in education. His background includes roles as a primary school teacher, primary ICT coordinator, and middle school design technology teacher, alongside leading 1:1 device deployments. A former IB PYP workshop leader, he contributed to the IB’s foundational ICT in the PYP documentation. Outside of IT administration, Andy directs technical theatre operations, partnering with the student tech team to manage production logistics.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/andy-birch-hka
About Marishaan Kuehn
Marishaan has been an international educator for 25 years, serving in diverse learning environments across South Africa, the UK, China, Botswana, and Hong Kong. She began her teaching journey in South African township schools - a foundational experience that deeply rooted her commitment to educational equity and sparked a lifelong dedication to service learning and the principle of giving back. Over her global career, she has held key leadership roles, including Head of Department in the UK, Head of Inclusion at a boarding school in rural China, and is currently in her fourth year at Hong Kong Academy as the Learning Innovation Coordinator.
As a passionate advocate for inclusive education and an experienced IGCSE, A-level and IB MYP and DP English Language and Literature teacher, Marishaan designs learning environments that prioritise student voice, agency, and choice. In her current role, she oversees HKA’s FleX programme, which empowers students to engage in flexible learning and pursue their passions while driving meaningful, real-world impact.
Grounded in the firm belief that students are far more than just their academic marks or test scores, she collaborates across departments to integrate forward-thinking pedagogical practices that promote holistic education. By embedding authentic service learning into the school culture, she ensures every learner recognises their intrinsic value and discovers their unique strengths and passions.
Email: marishaan.kuehn@hkacademy.edu.hk
Resources
https://hkacademy.edu.hk
John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org
Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt
Web: www.appsedu.com
Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube
Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com
Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial
Oct 18, 2026
Oct 18, 2026
1 hr 11 min
This conversation explores why meaningful change in schools is so difficult in a world shaped by AI, climate change, and growing uncertainty. It asks what schools need to change, what they should protect, and what must remain deeply human. Lee Fertig is Head of School at The Nueva School in the San Francisco Bay Area and has nearly 40 years of experience in education across several countries. Jeff Lippman is Director of Halcyon London International School and an experienced international school leader focused on student-centered learning, wellbeing, leadership, and meaningful change.
About Jeff Lippman
Jeff Lippman is the Director of Halcyon London International School and an experienced international school leader who has worked across the United States, France, Spain, and Brazil. Over his career, he has served in a range of senior leadership roles, including as the founding Head of School at Avenues Silicon Valley.
Jeff is passionate about rethinking what school can look like for students and teachers. His work focuses on student-centered learning, wellbeing, leadership development, and helping schools turn innovative ideas into meaningful and sustainable change. He also works with school leaders through coaching, consulting, and professional learning.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-lippman-35b68676/
About Lee Fertig
Lee Fertig is the Head of The Nueva School in the San Francisco Bay Area and an experienced educator with nearly 40 years in teaching and school leadership.
His career has taken him across the United States and international schools in Ethiopia, Brazil, Spain, and Belgium, including leadership roles at the International School of Brussels, Graded School in São Paulo, and the American School of Barcelona. Lee also works with the Principals’ Training Center and supports schools around the world in areas such as governance, innovation, student support, fundraising, and continuous school improvement.
He is passionate about helping schools grow, adapt, and create better learning experiences for students.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leefertig/
Resources
https://www.halcyonschool.com/about-us/directors-welcome
Halcyon Strategic Framework - https://www.canva.com/design/DAHMEEgZcNs/l3tUVOAA2F-VoZGoUflvcw/view?utm_content=DAHMEEgZcNs&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hcdb9fe1767
https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2025/01/trends-shaping-education-2025_3069cbd2.html
https://jeffreylippman.substack.com/
https://medium.com/@jefflippman
https://www.nuevaschool.org/about/leadership
https://www.nuevaschool.org/about/strategic-framework
https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-digital-education-outlook-2026_062a7394-en.html
John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org
Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt
Web: www.appsedu.com
Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube
Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com
Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial
Oct 3, 2026
Oct 3, 2026
1 hr 5 min
What happens when AI can search, summarise, and think with us?
About Heather Caveney
Heather is an experienced educator and librarian with more than 20 years of experience across public, private, boarding, and international schools. She has worked with students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 in the United States, Mongolia, and Türkiye.
She is currently Head Librarian at the American Collegiate Institute in İzmir, Türkiye, and also works as a School Library Consultant. Her work focuses on research and information literacy, digital literacy, academic integrity, and helping students and teachers think critically about online information and AI-generated content.
Heather holds a Master’s degree in Library Science from Texas Woman’s University and is passionate about helping students become thoughtful, independent, and confident researchers.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-j-caveney-aa2b6257/
About Wouter Laleman
Wouter Laleman has been working as an international school librarian for about 30 years in libraries and schools in Belgium, Oman, Japan, Malaysia and Madagascar.
He is currently Head Librarian and Data Protection Officer at the International School of Brussels, where he also leads work around digital media and libraries.
He is a founding member of collaborative reading and literature initiatives including the European Iris Award and Bookbowl and Sakura Medal in Japan. His work brings together reading, research, digital literacy, privacy, and the ever changing role of libraries in schools.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wouter-laleman-11277851/
Resources
https://www.linkedin.com/company/caveney-consulting/
https://www.aci.k12.tr/en/
https://www.isb.be/
https://sites.google.com/isb.be/irisaward/bookbowl
The CARE Approach by Leo S. Lo
NotebookLM for Schools, webinar by Eric Curts, EdTech Specialist of Control Alt Achieve
Research:
Your Brain on ChatGPT, research by Nataliya Kosmyna et al.
“Experimental evidence of the effects of large language models versus web search on depth of learning” by Melumad and Yo Hun.
“A new direction for students in an AI world: Prosper, prepare, protect” Report by Burns et al, of the Brookings Institute.
John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org
Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt
Web: www.appsedu.com
Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube
Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com
Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial
Sep 21, 2026
Sep 21, 2026
58 min
Two educators, their aunt Audrey, and the story of her life and art they are helping others discover.
About Steve Weatherel
Steve has worked in several international schools in the last forty years and in many different roles. These days he's living in the Netherlands trying to make it as a writer, with projects such as Intense Colours, the blog about his aunt, the artist Audrey Amiss.
Instagram: @audrey_amiss
About Kate Weatherell
Kate is a Mathematics teacher in London. After a long career in food as a chef, caterer, author and food stylist, she made the move into teaching.
Resources
intensecolours.substack.com
audreyamiss.com
https://wellcomecollection.org/stories/audrey-and-her-family
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7IIyKh4lpY
Typist Artist Pirate King Film
John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org
Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt
Web: www.appsedu.com
Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube
Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com
Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial