<a aria-current="page" href="/" class="router-link-active router-link-exact-active"> The International Schools Podcast

Dan Taylor on social media:

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000370336

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Saturday Sep 16, 2023

108 - A conversation with LeeAnne Lavender

Saturday Sep 16, 2023

LeeAnne shares learnings and reflections on Service Learning and Global Citizenship Education in schools. LeeAnne leverages storytelling as the vehicle by which educators can listen and learn from each other. Her primary focus is on helping individuals and communities use storytelling to create cultures that celebrate global citizenship and sustainability. In our conversation we explore with LeeAnne what does this look like in an international school context.

About LeeAnne Lavender

LeeAnne is an educational consultant, coach and facilitator for international educators. She specializes in storytelling, digital storytelling, service learning and global citizenship, and she loves partnering with schools and teachers to create learning experiences that have impact and lead to deep learning and service as action.

In addition to working independently as a consultant and coach and offering a range of online courses for educators, LeeAnne is also the Service Learning Program Coordinator for the Association of International Schools in Africa and a storyteller for Inspire Citizens and PeerSphere.

You can learn more about LeeAnne at https://www.leeannelavender.com/.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeeanneLavender
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeanne-lavender/

Resources

LeeAnne’s blog, which features numerous posts about the role and power of storytelling in relation to service learning and global citizenship: https://www.leeannelavender.com/blog

A padlet showcasing a range of service learning/global citizenship examples from PreK-12 international schools, many of which feature storytelling in a variety of ways: https://padlet.com/leeanne_lavender/service-learning-global-citizenship-examples-z49z3tjrb3ioesp1

UNESCO guide: story circles and deep listening for intercultural competencies

Impact, a grade 5 storytelling & global citizenship site designed to connect language arts & social studies curriculum to citizen journalism & action: https://sites.google.com/sasaustin.org/impact?pli=1

Citizen C, a high school site that uses storytelling to create a culture of global citizenship: https://www.concordiashanghai.org/citizenc/ginspiration

Digital Storytelling: A Catalyst for Civic Readiness & Global Citizenship: A webinar with the Digital Citizenship Institute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeESNRP5Y5s&t=1s

John Mikton on Social Media

Dan Taylor on social media:

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

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Saturday Sep 02, 2023

107 - A conversation with IT Directors Christina Devitt and Charlotte Diller

Saturday Sep 02, 2023

Christina and Charlotte share their extensive experience as Director of Learning Innovation and eLearning and Director of Technology in International Schools in Asia, the Caribbean and Middle East. An opportunity to share their learning in these roles in an international school. Reflecting on the changing dynamics in the age of accelerated change and AI. How to manage, navigate and lead with this accelerated change in a school setting, and what are some learnings and approaches to consider for education leaders in education technology.

About Christina Devitt

Christina Devitt is an advocate for empowering learners with technology. Having taught in five schools spanning three decades of revolutionary technological change, she brings experience in curriculum and technology leadership along with the implementation of two 1:1 programs to her current role as Director of Learning Innovation and Technology at The American Community School of Abu Dhabi. With an educational background in computer science and philosophy, Christina enjoys grappling with the opportunities and challenges that impact schools in our digitally connected world.

Twitter: @cdevitt
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/cdevitt

About Charlotte Diller

Charlotte Diller has over 20 years of experience transforming teaching and learning in schools with a focus on identifying school needs, engaging all stakeholders, focusing on results and effectively planning for and utilizing current and emerging technologies to bring about systemic school improvement. Charlotte has a love for learning, a passion for play and a belief in teamwork to transform teaching and learning.

Charlotte has worn a variety of classroom, leadership and technology hats including middle school science teacher, grade 6 teacher, assistant professor, technology facilitator, assistant principal, head of information literacy and staff learning, future of learning co-chair and director of technology. She has lived and worked in the USA, Hong Kong, Oman, and Malaysia. Charlotte is currently the Director of Technology at the International School of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Charlotte came to education after working in the business world in the computer and publishing industries. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, a Masters of Arts in Teaching and is an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE). A lifelong learner and avid reader, she also enjoys kickboxing, dancing, gardening and watching K-Dramas.

Twitter: @cdiller
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/cdiller/

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/dantcz/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanTaylorAE
Web: www.appsevents.com

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

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Saturday Aug 19, 2023

106 - Carlos Davidovich Executive Coach Neuromanagement Expert - Speaker - Author - International TEDx Speaker

Saturday Aug 19, 2023

Carlos shares his experience coaching and working with leaders around the world, in both an international school context and corporate setting focusing on "bully leaders". Carlos shares some of the learnings, experiences from his work, and combines this with his latest book "Five Brain Leadership". Exploring how our brains are wired to impact our dispositions as leaders and how to leverage this knowledge in an international school setting.

About Carlos Davidovich

Carlos has extensive experience supporting the development of leaders and management teams alike on an international scale . Raised and educated in Argentina, Carlos has been living and working between Europe , USA and Canada for over 20 years , where he has become an Executive Coach giving workshops and lectures on Neuromanagement , applying neuroscience in organizations and businesses . Currently , he resides in Madrid working with clients from all sorts of cultures around the world Originally trained as a medical doctor in Argentina, Carlos draws on this medical background and understanding of the brain to apply Neuromanagement coaching modalities that lead to evident and sustainable change for his clients. Over the course of his early career , for more than 20 years , he has also gained management experience in business executive roles working for multinationals pharmaceutical companies in the area of Biotechnology applied to human health He is a professor of Neuromanagement in the MBA programs at the University of New York in Prague, Czech Republic, and at GEA in Ljubljana , Slovenia; a guest lecturer for the Masters in Leadership program at the Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph, and a thought leader with the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate Co author of the book : PersonalityDNA . Discover Your True Personality”, Author of the book : “Five Brain Leadership How Neuroscience Can Help You Master Your Instincts and Build Better Teams”, January 2023. He is also an international TEDx Speaker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhk JSgrGx0

Education

Medical Doctor Degree from Argentina
Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Clinical Psychopathology Postgraduate Diploma from the University of Barcelona, Spain
Roche International Managers and Executive Development Course at Lausanne Business School
Psychotherapy and Hypnosis Certification from the Erikson Institute in Madrid, Spain
Tai Chi Trainer: University Las Palmas, Spain

Carlos Davidovich on Social Media

Website: www.carlosdavidovich.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosdavidovich/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ncdavidovich/

Resources

Five Brain Leadership: How Neuroscience Can Help You Master Your Instincts and Build Better Teams

Carlos Davidovich MD and Jennifer Brunton PhD

Page Two Press (Enero 2023)

John Mikton on Social Media

Dan Taylor on social media:

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

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Sunday Aug 06, 2023

105 - Small International Schools - Jeremy Majeski, Jimena Zalba, and Michael Hibbeln

Sunday Aug 06, 2023

Small International Schools are wide spread around the world, with their size come different dynamics in the culture, structures, educator and leadership approaches, finances juggling the daily workflows and community building, Jimena, Jeremy and Michael who have started an ECIS (https://www.ecis.org/) "Intentionally Small Schools" special interest group join us and share their experiences as small international school leaders and together we explore the uniqueness of small international school and the creative tensions that come with such schools.

Dr. Jimena Zalba

Primary Principal

The International School of Belgrade

https://www.isb.rs/

Dr. Jeremy Majeski

Principal

Frankfurt International School Wiesbaden Campus

https://www.fis.edu/

Dr. Michael J. Hibbeln

Director

International School of Krakow

https://iskonline.org/

About Dr. Jimena Zalba

Jimena Zalba is an educational leader with over 22 years serving international schools in Serbia, Czech Republic, Romania and Cambodia. During her tenure as a school leader, Jimena has, in close collaboration with her colleagues, led the design and implementation of innovative school improvements with high impact on student learning. When teachers and colleagues describe Jimena, they use words such as ‘caring’, ‘change agent’ and ‘systems thinker’. Jimena leverages these qualities and competencies to build and sustain thriving school cultures with a relentless commitment to learning and wellbeing for all members of a community. In addition to being a transformational and constructivist leader, Jimena is a passionate and avid learner. She holds a Masters in Education, a Post-Master’s in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate in Education (EdD) in July 2021. Her EdD research focused on developing the professional capacity of educators in international schools.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jimenazalba

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimena-zalba-edd-23828549/

About Dr. Jeremy Majeski

Dr. Jeremy Majeski is currently the principal at Frankfurt International School’s Wiesbaden Campus, a preschool through grade eight international school. Prior to this, Jeremy served as the elementary school principal at the American School of Barcelona as well as an elementary educator and administrator in the Chicago suburbs. Jeremy has been recognized for his work in leading efforts in making schools more welcoming for LGBTQ+ staff, students, and families.

He recently completed his doctorate in leadership in curriculum and instruction from Aurora University’s School of Education where his research focused on the experiences of gay and lesbian parents and schools. Jeremy has presented on topics of literacy, technology and leadership at conferences including the Illinois Reading Association, National Association of Elementary School Principals, District Administration and The Bett Show. In addition to his work in schools, Jeremy is an adjunct professor, teaching graduate courses in curriculum, instruction and leadership.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjmajeski

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jeremy-j-majeski-08693832/?originalSubdomain=de

About Dr. Michael Hibbeln

Dr. Michael Hibbeln is Director of the International School of Kraków, Poland. Prior to his current role he served as the Elementary School Principal at Shanghai American School in Shanghai, China.

Michael’s career in education has taken him to

Thailand, Paraguay, the USA (Michigan), Italy, and

China. He holds a Ph.D. in Education Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development from the University of Minnesota, as well as a M.Ed. in K-12 Education Administration and Leadership from Michigan State University.

Michael's research interests lie in the factors that lead to the development of student intercultural competence in international schools. Using clear systems and frameworks that bring a school's mission to life and drive school transformation, rather than only school improvement, is what excites him most about his work in school communities.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MjHibbeln

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-j-hibbeln-2b62b191

John Mikton on Social Media

Dan Taylor on social media:

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

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Monday Jul 24, 2023

104 - Valérie Besanceney and Jane Barron

Monday Jul 24, 2023

Valérie and Jane share their work, experience and learnings with the dynamics, challenges, and opportunities of transitions for students, parents, educators and schools. Together we explore the creative tensions many international educators and students experience with transitioning between schools and cultures, and how their respective organisations support and provide resources for the positive transition-care of students, families and educators around the world.

About Valérie Besanceney

Valérie Besanceney is an international education and transition consultant, passionate about helping students, staff and families thrive through transitions. Author of two children’s books, B at Home: Emma Moves Again and My Moving Booklet and founder of Roots with Boots, she currently consults for families, schools, and organizations. She is Dutch by birth, Swiss by nationality, and well-versed in cross cultural awareness. Having moved often as a child, Valérie understands the challenges and impact of early transitions on your sense of identity and belonging as an adult. Valérie has been an international educator for the past 18 years in international schools and organizations across four continents. Valérie serves as the Executive Director of Safe Passage Across Networks’ (SPAN)) and is the co-creator and co-facilitator of the SPAN certificate course on the Laws of Transitions. Together with her husband and their two daughters, she lives in Gryon, Switzerland.

About Jane Barron

Jane Barron (MEd) is an educational consultant specialising in student cross-cultural transitions. Her professional hats include educator, researcher and writer. Jane’s work is informed by a lifetime of mobility, parenting two Cross-Cultural Kids and 30 years of teaching and consulting in both international and local schools. Committed to healthy cross-cultural transitions and attachment security, she has been a part of the Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN) leadership since 2016 and is currently serving as their Director of Training and Consulting. Founder of Globally Grounded, Jane consults to schools, families and students crossing cultures, developing their understanding of the impact of cross-cultural mobility, creating programs and implementing support mechanisms to enhance learning and life. She is the lead researcher of Surveying the Landscape: Common Practices, Challenges and Opportunities in International School Transitions-Care (2020). Currently based on Garigal land in Sydney, Australia, Jane's writing has been published in numerous international education publications.

Social Media

SPAN

Website: Safe Passage Across Networks

LinkedIn: Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN)

Facebook: SPANschools

Instagram: spanschools

Twitter: @SPAN_schools

Roots with Boots:

Website: Roots with Boots

LinkedIn: Valérie Besanceney

Facebook: Valérie Besanceney

Resources

A summary of different ways to connect with SPAN:

The SPAN website, for engagement with other transition-care providers, curated resources and pathways for an enhanced positive transitions-care program in your school and between schools.
‘The Nest’, to join SPAN’s free monthly award-winning online gathering for positive transitions-care practitioners and advocates, first Thursday of every month @12 UTC.
The Annual Virtual SPAN Symposium, to gather together like-minded practitioners and supporters to strengthen the network of positive transitions-care across international schools
The SPAN Training & Consulting team to strengthen your positive transitions-care team, policies, programs and practices. SPAN’s courses, workshops and consultancy services empower individuals, schools and school networks to transform transitions-care for their community members.
Our Laws of Transitions Certificate Course, which offers research, practical strategies, and the opportunity to share best practices to enhance positive transitions-care within and between schools. Your team can also benefit from the Early Bird discount on registration before August 15, 2023.
SPAN Membership, to join a network of people on the frontline of transitions-care in schools, small businesses and organisations. As part of this network, an individual, small business school or organisation SPAN member finds a home where like-minded people connect, support and encourage one another. With discounted access to expert training and resources, they also feel equipped and refreshed to continue their important work.

John Mikton on Social Media

Dan Taylor on social media:

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Thursday Jul 13, 2023

103 - A conversation with John Miller, Chief Empowerment Officer Agile Classrooms

Thursday Jul 13, 2023

An opportunity to connect with John Miller of the Agile Classroom, a next-generation learning framework, with a student-centered approach, emphasizing collaboration, communication, self-organization, and social skills . We look at the Agile classrooms approach focusing on real-world approaches that the most innovative companies in the world use brought to a classroom setting. What the structures, workflows and pedagogic strategies for educators to consider when working with this framework.

About John Miller

I had worked for years as an Education Technology Director for a school district, which as a whole, wanted to move towards integrating 21st century skills within the curriculum. But what we found was that we could not change the way students learn, without first changing and modeling these 21st-century skills in the staff and teaching methods themselves.

Using Agile, I spearheaded an innovative and engaging way to organize workflows with self-managed teams and quick feedback, creating a healthy and productive workplace culture that allowed for growth and prosperity.

John is a Certified Scrum Trainer, Certified Enterprise Coach®, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, ICF Associate Certified Coach, Spiral Dynamics Integral Level 2, and a Project Management Professional. When not focused on work, John loves to surf (well, wiping out more than actually surfing), spend time with his family and 2 daughters, volunteer as a life coach for students, and make insanely delicious drinking chocolates.

John Miller on Social Media

Twitter: @agileschools

Website: https://agileclassrooms.com/

John Mikton on Social Media

Dan Taylor on social media:

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

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Saturday Jun 24, 2023

102 - A conversation with Angela Newton and Peter Gravell Co-Founders of RealFastReports

Saturday Jun 24, 2023

Angela and Peter educators and now entrepreneurs share their journey around the transition to starting a company focused on report writing and leveraging new AI technologies to save teachers time, improve workload and enhance the quality of feedback to students and parents. We explore why such a company, the challenges and opportunities of using artificial intelligence in delivering an educators service and learnings from the experience.

About Angela Newton

Angela is Co-Founder of Real Fast Reports - an AI-powered report writing tool that helps teachers to write better school reports, faster. She is an established education professional with experience across the education landscape.

She started out as a teacher, working in a range of secondary school contexts across London as a Chemistry teacher and Head of Faculty..

Alongside developing and growing Real Fast Reports, she is a policy and delivery advisor at the Department for Education, with special interest in social mobility, support for vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people, and early help to improve educational and health outcomes.

Angela Newton on Social Media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/newtonangela

Twitter: @newton_angie

About Peter Gravell

Peter is the Co-Founder of Real Fast Reports, an AI-powered tool that is revolutionizing school reports.

As a former teacher, timetabler, and Head of Science in top UK and international schools, Peter understands the challenges educators face. He’s also a parent of two, so he has experienced reports from a parent’s perspective.

An experienced programmer and Google Certified Innovator, Peter co-founded Real Fast Reports with Angela after recognizing the potential of GPT-3, a precursor to ChatGPT.

Based in Gran Canaria, Peter remains focused on creating innovative tools that enable educators to thrive and enrich students' academic experiences.

Peter Gravell on Social Media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petergravell

Resources

Website: realfastreports.com

Twitter: @realfastreports

John Mikton on Social Media

Dan Taylor on social media:

https://smithvisualizations.com/

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

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

Saturday Jun 10, 2023

101 - Leveraging and understanding the power of Data with Chris Smith

Saturday Jun 10, 2023

Data and information have become a critical component to leading and managing international schools. Understanding the data and more importantly getting it into a format and visual representation that all stakeholders can understand and engage with comes with challenges and opportunities Chris Smith shares his experiences supporting schools, the technology behind the data, and how this process supports schools to be agile and responsive to changes and needs of the school community.

About Chris Smith

Chris is an academic data specialist for school leaders and educators. He helps them make sense of their data by turning it into information that informs effective decision-making.

Chris has worked with clients such as Bedford School District, Singapore American School, Yongsan International School Seoul, Dallas Independent Schools, and Ferndale School District. He has coached and trained nearly 300 educators through his online synchronous and self-paced courses. Chris leads teams through data literacy, data visualization, and dashboard design workshops for organizations such as Apps Events and 21st Century Learning International using Google Workspace tools such as Google Sheets and Looker Studio.

Chris has 25 years of experience in education. Starting off as an elementary classroom teacher for 17 years, he moved into an educational technology coaching role and eventually found himself helping others be more efficient with their work around data analysis and data literacy. Chris holds a master’s in educational leadership from California State University, data science certification from Harvard Business School, and data visualization certification from Cornell University.

When not jamming out on spreadsheet formulas and chart elements, Chris can be found ascending punchy climbs and bombing down drops in the jungle on his mountain bike.

Appsevents Google Looker Studio for Educators and School Leaders next cohort October 2023! More info: https://appsevents.com/looker-studio

Chris Smith on Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smithrchris

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithvisualizations/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smithviz

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithrchris/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@smithviz

Resources

https://courses.smithvisualizations.com/

https://appsevents.com/data-studio-course

John Mikton on Social Media

Dan Taylor on social media:

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

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Saturday Jun 03, 2023

100 - 100th episode conversation with Dan and John

Saturday Jun 03, 2023

100 hundred conversations, 100+ guests who have come to share their story, learning, challenges and interests. Dan and I spend a few moments reflecting on how this podcast started in June 2019, some of the themes, focus areas, and reflection of the podcast and the times we live in. Thank you to the generosity and kindness of our guests. A huge shout out to our audience for your support and taking the time to listen, we both are most grateful. Ready for the next 100! Tune in with us!

John Mikton on Social Media

Dan Taylor on social media: