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Blue Skies Leadership
Blue Skies Leadership episodes
- E06 - Homa Tavangar - Leading into the Future with Fearless Inquiry: The Big Questions Institute
Leading into the Future with Fearless Inquiry: The Big Questions Institute
Summary
In this episode of the Blue Skies Leadership Podcast, hosts Dan Kerr and Daniel Mendes engage with Homa Tavangar, a renowned education, leadership, and global citizenship expert. They discuss the evolving vision for education, emphasizing the need for relevance, mental wellness, and joy in learning. Homa shares insights from her work at the Big Questions Institute and their newest ebook edition, “12 Big Questions Schools Must Answer To Imagine Irresistible Futures,” highlighting the importance of asking critical questions to guide educational practices. The conversation also touches on the challenges of leadership in education, the role of hope and optimism, and the significance of equity and inclusion in schools. As they explore current trends in international education, they reflect on the need for a renewed focus on global citizenship and the legacy educators leave behind.
Takeaways
- Education should be relevant, just, healthy, and joyful.
- Asking the right questions is crucial for school improvement.
- Hope is a discipline that requires action.
- The Big Questions Institute focuses on guiding educators through complexities.
- Leadership in education involves navigating crises and failures.
- Understanding what is sacred in a school community is vital.
- Equity and inclusion must be addressed authentically in schools.
- Global citizenship is facing challenges in today's educational landscape.
- Storytelling can help schools articulate their values and aspirations.
- Educators should consider their legacy and impact on future generations.
Links
- 12 Big Questions Schools Must Answer To Imagine Irresistible Futures - Ebook - https://bigquestions.institute/12-questions/
- Big Questions Institute - https://bigquestions.institute/
- Homa Tavangar’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/homatavangar/
Sound Bites
"What does a blue sky vision of school look like?"
"We want to ask more questions than give answers."
"What is your story?"
"What is your legacy as an institution?"
"Hope is a discipline anchored in action."
"What is sacred in your school community?"
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Blue Skies Leadership Podcast
02:53 Exploring the Vision for Education
06:09 The Big Questions Institute and Its Impact
08:57 Navigating Leadership Challenges in Education
11:49 The Role of Hope and Optimism in Education
15:11 Utilizing the 12 Big Questions for School Improvement
18:00 Trends in International Education
20:56 Addressing Equity and Inclusion in Schools
23:52 Future Directions and Global Citizenship
27:07 Conclusion and Future Engagements
Keywords
education, leadership, global citizenship, equity, inclusion, Big Questions Institute, school improvement, optimism, trends, international schools
34 min - E05 - Jane Larsson - CIS - Blue Skies Leadership
In this episode of the Blue Skies Leadership Podcast, hosts Dan Kerr and Daniel Mendes engage with Jane Larsson, Executive Director of the Council of International Schools (CIS). They discuss the evolving landscape of international education, the importance of socially responsible leadership, and the innovative initiatives implemented by CIS to enhance educational practices.
Key topics include the moral responsibility of schools to provide international education, the need for empathy in leadership, and the introduction of competency-based assessment frameworks. The conversation highlights the significance of adapting educational practices to meet the diverse needs of global communities and the exciting future of international education.
Takeaways
- Every school should be providing an international education.
- We have a moral responsibility to help young people make sense of the world.
- Empathy is a crucial quality for leaders today.
- International education encompasses all forms of education.
- Understanding demographic trends is vital for future education planning.
- CIS is developing a developmental, differentiated approach to school evaluation and accreditation.
- Competency-based assessment is a new area of focus for international schools.
- Available in 2025, a new, open-source Pedagogy Playbook will guide schools in making pedagogical decisions.
- Socially responsible leadership is essential for the future of education.
- The future of international education is bright with innovative initiatives.
Sound Bites
"Every school should be providing an international education."
"We have a moral responsibility to help young people."
"International education is really all education."
"We need to be aware of trends in population and immigration and their relationship to education. They are intertwined.”
"We're creating socially responsible leaders."
"It's an exciting time to be in international schools."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Blue Skies Leadership Podcast
02:50 The Role of CIS in International Education
03:43 Vision for International Education
06:07 Leadership Development for Social Responsibility
08:28 Trends Shaping International Education
13:34 CIS's New Framework for School Evaluation and Accreditation
15:31 Innovative Partnerships and Initiatives
20:33 Competency-Based Assessment in Education
23:54 The CIS Pedagogy Playbook
26:17 Future Directions for CIS and International Education
32 min - E04 - Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini - ECIS - Blue Skies Leadership
Summary
In this episode of the Blue Skies Leadership Podcast, hosts Dan Kerr and Daniel Mendes engage with Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini, who shares her extensive experience in middle-level leadership within international schools. The conversation explores the importance of teacher efficacy, the need for intentional collaboration, and cultivating a healthy school culture. Nancy emphasizes the significance of psychological safety, trust-building, and the role of middle leaders in fostering a positive educational environment. The discussion also highlights practical advice for aspiring leaders and the key traits that effective middle-level leaders should possess.
Takeaways
- Teacher efficacy is the number one influencer of student learning.
- Intentional collaboration among teachers is crucial for success.
- Meetings should have clear outcomes and engage participants meaningfully.
- Psychological safety allows for healthy cognitive conflict in teams.
- Building trust is foundational for effective leadership.
- Middle leaders should model distributed leadership practices.
- Celebrating successes is essential for a positive school culture.
- Mentorship is vital for personal and professional growth.
- Effective leaders prioritize student learning above all else.
- Curiosity and inquiry are key traits of successful leaders.
Sound Bites
- "Culture is not always the best culture."
- "You have to build trust with intentionality."
- "You can still have fun and collaborate."
- "Jump on any opportunity to get involved."
- "It's about the community and the learners."
- "Learning leader puts learning first."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Blue Skies Leadership Podcast
01:59 The Importance of Middle-Level Leadership
03:27 Blue Sky Thinking in Education
08:59 Cultivating a Healthy School Culture
14:19 Promoting Collaboration and Distributed Leadership
20:57 Advice for Aspiring Leaders
25:16 Key Traits of Effective Middle-Level Leaders
30:50 Connecting with Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini
34 min - E03 - Dr. Derrick Gay - Reframing Diversity to Foster Cultures of Dignity and Respect in International Schools- Blue Skies Leadership
In this episode of the Blue Skies Leadership Podcast, hosts Dan Kerr and Daniel Mendes engage in a profound conversation with Dr. Derek Gay, a global expert on diversity and inclusion. They explore the complexities of understanding diversity, the critical role of belonging in educational settings, and the importance of cultural context in implementing diversity initiatives. Dr. Gay emphasizes that creating a culture of belonging requires strategic change management and active engagement from all community members. The discussion also highlights the need for representation within international schools and the vision for a future where belonging is integral to the educational experience.
Dr. Derrick Gay is a globally recognized Belonging and Intercultural 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. Dr. Gay’s work spans numerous industries, including schools, businesses, non-profits, and arts organizations.
Drawing from his extensive international experience, Dr. Gay designs meaningful strategies that resonate across a broad range of 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. A lifelong educator with over 28 years of experience, Dr. Gay taught in K-12 schools and served as a senior administrator in schools around the world. Most recently, he has served as a senior advisor to Sesame Street while also serving as adjunct faculty/lecturer at University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, International Fashion Academy, Parsons Paris, and Teachers College at Columbia University. As such, Dr. Gay engages with the full range of education from early childhood to doctorate students, supporting students, staff, parents, administrators, and boards. During the 2023-24 academic year, he led Belonging and Intercultural Competency efforts in schools and organizations spanning 23 countries and 45 cities.
Takeaways
- The critical distinctions between "diversity," "inclusion," and "belonging" within the context of international schools.
- How the term "diversity" is often framed as proxy for historically marginalized groups, which places the burden of addressing harm, discrimination, and bias on individuals from “diverse” groups.
- The importance of reframing "diversity" to encompass the unique backgrounds of all individuals while also recognizing shared human connections, thereby compelling everyone to address dignity infractions and ensuring that all feel safe, valued, and respected.
- The essential role of families in nurturing intercultural competency in children by modeling inclusive behaviors and engaging in meaningful conversations about differences.
- Practical strategies for international schools to foster a truly inclusive environment for all students, staff, and families.
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Diversity and Inclusion
02:49 The Role of Belonging in Education
06:10 Cultural Context and Diversity Work
08:53 Strategic Change Management in Schools
12:08 The Importance of Representation
14:59 Vision for Future Schools
17:46 Engaging the Community in Belonging
21:05 The Journey Ahead for Dr. Gay
30 min - E02 - Kevin Bartlett - Common Ground Collaborative - Blue Skies Leadership
In this episode of the Blue Skies Leadership Podcast, Dan Kerr, Daniel Mendes and Kevin Bartlett discuss the future of education, focusing on the importance of defining learning, the vision for schools, and the journey of the Common Ground Collaborative. They explore the need for systemic change in education, the challenges of teacher evaluation systems, and the significance of building a learning culture that empowers both teachers and students. The conversation emphasizes clarity, simplicity, and the importance of collective efforts in transforming educational practices.
Takeaways
- Defining learning is crucial for effective education.
- Education should focus on developing well-rounded individuals.
- Simplicity in direction helps avoid initiative fatigue.
- A systemic approach to learning is necessary for change.
- Teacher evaluation systems often fail to transform practice.
- Empathy is key in addressing educational dilemmas.
- Collective teacher efficacy has the greatest impact on student learning.
- Learning should be viewed through a growth lens, not an evaluation lens.
- Building a learning culture requires shared beliefs and values.
- Consistency and focus over time lead to meaningful progress.
Chapters
00:00 Defining Learning in Education
04:00 The Blue Sky Vision for Schools
15:01 The Common Ground Collaborative Journey
18:47 Transforming Teacher Evaluation Systems
33:11 Clarity in Complexity and Future Directions
Podcast Hosts
Daniel Mendes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mendesd/
Dan Kerr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-kerr-b0a82520/
Episode Guest
Kevin Bartlett: https://www.commongroundcollaborative.org/
Notable Mentions
Greg McKeown: https://gregmckeown.com/
- LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregmckeown/
Jamie McTighe: https://jaymctighe.com/
Julie Stern:https://www.conceptualtransfer.com/
Tania Lattanzio: https://sg.linkedin.com/in/tania-lattanzio-ige; https://www.innovativeglobaled.org/
Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/
- Twitter: @brenebrown
Jim Collins: https://www.jimcollins.com/
Gordon Eldridge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordon-eldridge-9469021/
Bambi Betts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bambi-betts-a0b3a47/; https://www.theptc.org
Greg Curtis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-curtis123/
Charlotte Danielson: https://danielsongroup.org/framework/
Michael Fullan: https://michaelfullan.ca/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-fullan/
Margaret Wheatley: https://www.margaretwheatley.com/
Chad McGartland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-mcgartlin-3050632a6/
Dylan Wiliam: https://www.dylanwiliam.org/
- Twitter: @dylanwiliam
Martin Skelton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-skelton-87030318/
36 min - E01 - Sheena Nabholz - AISH -Blue Skies Leadership
Summary
In this Blue Skies Leadership Podcast episode, Dan Kerr and Daniel Mendes interview Sheena Nabholz, the Deputy CEO of the Academy for International School Heads (AISH.) They discuss the evolving landscape of international education, the importance of connectedness, the integration of AI in schools, and the critical need for equity and inclusion. Sheena shares her blue sky vision on how schools can leverage data to personalize learning and the role of AISH in fostering collaboration among educational leaders worldwide.
Organizations and Resources mentioned
https://www.academyish.org/ - The Academy for International School Heads (AISH) is a vital organization for anyone in the role of Head or Deputy Head of an international school. Founded with the ethos "By Heads, For Heads," AISH is dedicated to supporting and advocating for the professional development of international school leaders.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurynn-evans-2a79984/ - Laurynn Evans from UnConstrainED
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketingedgeboston/ - Beth Goldstein - Babson from Senior Director, Academic Strategy for the Babson Youth Impact Lab
https://www.curriculumassociates.com/ - Evidence-Based Instruction to Help Every Learner Grow without Limits
https://www.searchassociates.com/ - Partnering with Quality International Schools and Exceptional Educators to Serve and Enrich Learning Worldwide
Takeaways
- The Academy for International School Heads aims to connect global educators.
- The world of international schools is diverse and complex.
- Connectedness is essential for preparing students for the future.
- AI should be embraced in education with enthusiasm and curiosity.
- Equity and inclusion are critical for all students' success.
- Data analytics can significantly enhance personalized learning experiences.
- Schools need clear guidelines for the use of AI technologies.
- The pandemic has accelerated the focus on personalized learning.
- Educational leaders require support in navigating DEI initiatives.
- Belonging and identity are vital for student well-being.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:53 The Future of International Schools
05:48 Connectedness in Education
08:59 Embracing AI in Education
11:58 Equity and Inclusion in Schools
15:00 The Role of Data in Personalized Learning
18:06 The Work of the Academy for International School Heads
20:54 Conclusion and Future Connections
21 min
About Blue Skies Leadership
From the publisher's feed
Join international school veterans Dan Kerr and Daniel Mendes on a journey of educational innovation and excitement. Dan and Daniel dive deep into international education, interviewing prominent leaders and organizations.
Discover the 'blue sky' ideal for international education as these experts share their visionary perspectives. Get inspired by real-world examples of schools pushing the boundaries of learning, creating inclusive environments, and fostering global citizens. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting your journey, Blue Skies Leadership podcast is for you!
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