🎙️ Caring for the Head, Caring for the School: A Conversation with Dr. Larry Hobdell and Kristine Mizzone

In this episode of the Education Vanguard Show, Justin speaks with Dr. Larry Hobdell, Executive Director of ACAMIS, and educational consultant Kristine Mizzone about one of the most overlooked aspects of leadership: the wellbeing of school heads.

They share insights on the pressures leaders face, isolation, blurred boundaries, and constant demands, and why prioritizing wellbeing isn’t a luxury but a leadership strategy. More importantly, they explore how wellness can be embedded into daily practice, shaping healthier schools from the top down.

A must-listen for educators and leaders who believe that thriving schools start with thriving leaders.

 🎙️ Brand Is What They Say About You: Rethinking School Identity with Ewan McIntosh

In this episode of the Education Vanguard Show, Justin speaks with Ewan McIntosh, educator, strategist, and founder of NoTosh. With decades of experience helping schools worldwide, Ewan unpacks why a school’s brand isn’t defined by glossy brochures or polished slogans, but by the lived experiences and stories that others share about it. He challenges educators to show learning in action, emphasizing on the importance of empowering everyone in school to be a brand ambassador and how they can live and breathe brand through aligning it with the school's culture and values.

A thought-provoking conversation for leaders and educators seeking to strengthen community trust and redefine what school branding truly means. 

🎙️Equity, Accessibility, and Innovation: Jeff Sisk on Inclusive Education

In this episode of the Education Vanguard Show, Justin speaks with Jeff Sisk, Senior Manager of Assistive Technology at Fairfax County Public Schools, the ninth-largest school district in the U.S. With over 25 years of experience, Jeff shares how assistive technology has evolved into inclusive technology, why accessibility is central to Universal Design for Learning, and how AI is reshaping the classroom. He also previews his upcoming sessions at the Jakarta AIFE Conference on accessible learning materials, literacy support, and executive functioning strategies.

A practical and inspiring conversation for educators who want to make learning more inclusive, equitable, and future-ready.

🎙️ Leadership and Culture at the American International School GuangZhou with Kevin Baker and Jamie Robb

In this episode of the Education Vanguard Show, Justin Hardman sits down with Kevin Baker (Director) and Jamie Robb (Deputy Director) of the American International School of GuangZhou to unpack their Judge’s Choice win for Diversity and Inclusion at the GBA School Awards. Hear how AISG turns social vision into daily practice through inclusive hiring, flexible learning spaces, data-informed decisions, and a coaching culture that touches every adult and student.

Learn how inclusive pathways, peer coaching, and student-centered spaces create a compassionate community where every learner is seen.

In this episode of the Education Vanguard Show, Justin speaks with Alex McMillan, the Instructional Technology Coach at Shanghai American School and chair of the upcoming AIFE Conference. Alex explains how AI can enhance, rather than replace, creativity, sharing a simple three-step process that educators can use with students. He also explores the importance of values-driven AI policy and how schools can craft practical frameworks that align with their culture and priorities.

A thoughtful conversation for educators and leaders navigating AI’s role in learning and school systems.

Also mentioned in this episode:
AIFE Conference in Jakarta on the 8-9 November 2025: https://aife.community/21cl/ai-and-creativity/

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 🎙️ Health, Wellbeing, and Policy in International Schools
In this episode of the Education Vanguard Show, Justin brings together experts Amy Lauren Smith (Hong Kong International School), Sarah Benes (Southern Connecticut State University), and Holly Alperin (University of New Hampshire). Together, they unpack what it really takes to build a holistic, skills-based approach to student health and wellbeing, from curriculum design and cultural context to policy, practice, and the rising role of AI.

A must-listen for educators, leaders, and anyone committed to putting student wellbeing at the heart of schooling.

Also mentioned in this episode:
✅ PHASE Health & Well-being Summit (13-14 November 2025:  https://phase.community/phaseap/precon/health-well-being-summit-from-the-why-to-the-how

When you have something working well for your organization, you might decide to keep it to yourself as a competitive advantage or you might take the longer view and share your methodologies with others.

Wildwood school, an independent school based in Los Angeles, took the longer view. They created the Wildwood Outreach Center where they bring their ideas and support to schools around the world.  

I speak with Steve Barett, the director of the Wildwood Outreach Center about their programs and some of the specific focus they have on Systems Thinking, contextual and social emotional learning.

Connect

• http://wildwood.org/outreach

Bio

Steve is the Director of the Wildwood Outreach Center, a professional development center housed at Wildwood School in Los Angeles and has 30 years' experience as a teacher and administrator in public and private schools in California and Illinois. As a facilitator, Steve's guided the professional learning of educators throughout the US and internationally.

Like me, you may not be familiar with oracy, the ability to express yourself fluently and with proper grammar. But as educators, you are likely familiar with the concept and supportive of the idea.

I talk today with Daniel Thomas, the head of School 21, a private school in London. We jump into the power of oracy and its impact on learning. Specifically, for students from financially challenged backgrounds.

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Daniel Thomas is the head of oracy 4 - 18 and a senior leader at School 21. Having arrived at the school in 2016 he has helped to drive forward the development of oracy practice within the school ensuring it maintains its status as a world leading establishment. He also works closely with Voice 21, the school's outward facing sister charity, to support their mission to develop a national network of practitioners and leaders who will go on to impact systemic change.

When you wake up in the morning and read in the newspaper that your international school will be closed, it can be a bit shocking. Dr. David Lovelin, the High School Principal at Hong Kong International School, had that experience along with the added concern of how do we plan a program in a virtual school environment?

Our discussion ranges from day one to nine weeks later and what emerges as the important things to focus on during these trying and “interesting” times.

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Dr. David Lovelin has been an administrator for the past 15 years in several different roles and is currently the High School Principal for Hong Kong International School. Previously, Dr. Lovelin worked at Korea International School and in the US in varied leadership roles and with a continued commitment for developing innovative education programs, promoting a positive culture, building relationships, and grounded in supporting all learners.

Hey, let’s talk about data! Hearing those words might make some of us run for the hills and hide, while others might be excited for that discussion.

Thankfully we now have other ways to talk about and deal with data. 

Thanks to people like Aaron Reedy, my guest today, the discussion of data is moving toward a visual presentation that lets all of us participate.

Aaron Reedy is the founder of Dataclassroom: “A web app that allows teachers of grades 6-12 to grow data intuition in students.” We go all in on data visualization and how regular teachers can use it in their classrooms.

• Website
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Aaron taught high school biology for seven years in  Chicago Public Schools. He left the classroom to do a PhD in Evolutionary Biology and is currently a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in Biology studying aging in wild lizard populations.

Aaron co-founded DataClassroom to improve the teaching of quantitative skills in math and science classes around the country.