Impactful interviews with renowned thought leaders and deep-dives in to international school trends and strategies, to support you in your international school leadership journey.
GLOBAL ED LEADERS has topped the School Podcast charts in countries across the world* and is in the top 10% of all podcasts globally*.
*#1 podcast in Apple Podcast Charts in Hong Kong, Ireland, April 2024, Top 10% data from ListenNotes
Tune in every week:
The UK Election and the local/systemic change debate
In this episode, I muse on the recent UK general election and its implications for education. With the Labour Party's victory and Keir Starmer becoming Prime Minister, there’s a palpable sense of hope and excitement among many educators. I discuss my observations from the Festival of Education and reflect on how schools might navigate these changes.
Beyond Consultants and Quick Fixes
In this special episode, host Shane Leaning shares a recording from a session he co-presented with Efraim Lerner at the Festival of Education in the UK. They discuss their new model for driving organisational change in schools from within rather than relying on outside consultants and experts.
Building Leadership Masterminds
This conversation explores the concept of being a ruckus maker in education and the role of a Mastermind community in supporting school leaders. Chief Ruckus-Maker, Danny Bauer and I explore challenges faced by leaders, the structure and benefits of a mastermind, and the impact it has on participants. The conversation also emphasises the importance of continuous growth, collaboration, and creating sustainable leadership in education.
Infographics: A Beautiful Distraction?
I take a critical look at the growing popularity of infographics and one-pagers in education. While I acknowledge their aesthetic appeal and potential as conversation starters, as exemplified by the brilliant work of Jamie Clark and the WalkThrus guides, I argue that an overreliance on these simplified visual guides may be holding educators back from deeper understanding and effective implementation.
Teacher Retention Strategies
If you're an international school leader grappling with teacher retention or looking to empower your staff, this episode is a must-listen. I dive deep into the complexities of transitioning experienced educators into new roles and schools, alongside Sarah Kupke—a leader in professional learning and development at ECIS. We dive into strategies for mentoring, professional growth, and nurturing a positive school culture that values every teacher’s strengths at any career stage.
Should School Leaders Teach?
Are you struggling to decide whether school leaders should also spend time teaching? This episode is for you! I dive deep into the age-old argument of whether school leaders should step into the classroom.
The Power of a Team
Andrea Honigsfeld shares her insights on the power of collaboration in education, emphasising the value of teamwork and diverse perspectives in supporting multilingual learners and promoting cultural inclusivity. We discuss the importance of challenging biases, engaging in difficult conversations, and prioritising students' assets. Andrea highlights the significance of collaboration not just among teachers, but also with paraprofessionals, coaches, administrators, and families, stressing the two-way dynamic interaction for meaningful engagement.
How to Manage Staff Room Negativity
Have you ever been caught in the crossfire of a staff room venting session? As leaders, it's a delicate tightrope to walk—balancing empathy with professionalism. This week, I break down the "C.A.L.M.I.T." model, a straightforward, six-step approach designed to help you navigate these challenging moments without losing your cool.
Linguistic oppression in international schools
Dr. José Medina discusses linguistic oppression in education and the need for linguistic liberation. He explains that linguistic oppression occurs when students are not allowed to fully leverage their entire linguistic repertoire, and are instead forced to focus solely on the language of power, which is often English. José emphasises the importance of metalinguistic awareness, which is the ability to make connections between languages in one's repertoire. He also introduces the concept of trans-languaging, which empowers students to use all of their language skills to access content learning. José calls for educators to create linguistically inclusive spaces and to model content language learning targets that incorporate the four plus one language domains.
How to see through a sales pitch
I discuss five critical questions that every school leader should ask when approached by vendors. These questions are designed to evaluate whether the propositions align with existing school needs, are supported by robust evidence, and offer sustainable benefits. My aim is to equip you with the tools needed to approach these situations with confidence and make informed choices that have a real impact on your school.
Why the best teachers rehearse
Josh Goodrich and Shane Leaning explore the importance of rehearsal and implementation planning in teacher development. Rehearsal involves modelling a desired teaching technique, deconstructing the model, and planning how to implement the technique in a future lesson. Implementation planning involves stating a specific time, place, and cue to remember to make the change. We chat about the need for social accountability and feedback in the rehearsal process. Josh suggests starting with group rehearsal in professional development sessions and gradually moving towards individual rehearsal. The goal is to create a culture of continuous improvement in teaching.
Should we still be talking about COVID?
Educational psychologist, Dr. Angie Wigford, shares the findings of her survey conducted among students and educators across the Asia on the effects of COVID on international school students and staff. This is a repeat of Episode 6.
Local Identities, International Classrooms
Simon Probert and I explore the evolution of British international schools in Asia, with a focus on the growth of British international education in Asia. The appeal of British international schools and the interaction between these schools and local education systems are discussed, as well as the importance of local identity are explored. The conversation also delves into the challenges of localising international schools and the post-colonial lens in British international schools.
Why Universities Need International School Students
Universities around the world are prioritising internationalisation, which presents both opportunities and challenges for international schools. A report from The International Association of Universities highlights benefits such as enhanced international cooperation and enriched global knowledge for students. However, universities also struggle with competing priorities and finances. This trend may lead to an increased demand for students with international education, benefiting schools that offer international qualifications. It also opens up opportunities for better university partnerships and pathways directly with international schools.
Grow Your Leadership Confidence
Chris Baker and Shane discuss the importance of confidence and self-efficacy in effective leadership. They explore the impact of confidence on decision-making and the role of self-efficacy in personal and professional development. Chris shares his personal experience with confidence and how it has shaped his career. They also discuss strategies to develop self-efficacy, including setting achievable goals, seeking out models of excellence, and receiving feedback. The conversation concludes with a focus on the big three: learning efficacy, coping efficacy, and influence efficacy.
Free EAL Lesson | Get Your Teacher Talk Right
As an international school leader, do you sometimes find yourself caught between the demands of educational excellence and balancing the books? Today's episode will empower you with strategies to bridge the gap between personal values and organisational expectations.
I dive into the theory of comprehensible input, drawing from Stephen Krashen's research. This key concept focuses on providing language learners with input just beyond their current level, emphasising the importance of meaning over form and the natural order of language acquisition. I discuss practical strategies for making teacher talk more comprehensible, including an innovative method using AI transcription software to evaluate and adjust language grading for EAL students. Plus, I offer a special discount for listeners to join the full EAL course, where you can access over 30 comprehensive lessons and an exclusive online community.
Balancing Your Values and Expectations
As an international school leader, do you sometimes find yourself caught between the demands of educational excellence and balancing the books? Today's episode will empower you with strategies to bridge the gap between personal values and organisational expectations.
I chat with Matt Hall, Director of Making Stuff Better, who brings his insights on transforming leadership tensions into progressive energy and aligning the soul of education with the rigors of finance. Tune in for an invigorating discussion that will resonate with every educational leader striving to lead with authenticity and courage.
Are there too many consultants in education?
Observations on the dual role of educational consultants: providing valuable expertise and perspectives to help schools navigate complex decisions while potentially fostering a dependency that could impede the development of internal knowledge and decision-making capabilities. Drawing from personal experiences and industry insights, I note a trend of short-lived implementations and a cycle of change with each new leadership transition, raising concerns about the sustainability of such practices.
How to Build Influential Middle Leaders
In this episode, we unpack the nuanced role of middle leaders with Liz Benson. Liz, a visionary in the field with over two decades of experience, discusses the evolution of middle leadership, its complexities, and the need to celebrate its unique significance. Tune in to discover actionable strategies for bolstering middle leaders, learn about the five dimensions of Trust from Griffith University's research, and recognise the potency of advocacy and influence within your team.