The International Schools Network

For this interview, we are joined by Daniela Selhuber: Head of Curriculum Support at Taylor's International School - Kuala Lumpur, to explore Personalised Learning & Inclusive Pedagogy - specifically through an EAL lens

Key Themes:

• Supporting EAL Learners in the Classroom
• Identifying and Supporting SEND in EAL Students
• Parental Engagement
• EdTech & Learning Support
• Procurement & Prioritisation

Laura Mitchelson from Veritas Wild, specialists in strategic HR for schools, presents five forward-thinking takes on professional development that are designed to remain effective both today and in the next five years.

Take 1) We demand that people don’t get access to PD unless they ask for it

Take 2) We get creative about what PD can be

Take 3) We measure the impact of all PD

Take 4) We offer multiple ways of accessing PD

Take 5) We employ Futures Literacy as a way of stretching all functions to where they will need to be in 5 years time

Learn more about Veritas Wild here: https://www.veritaswild.com/

To share your story, thoughts or ideas with the ISN community, please send your article draft directly to our editorial team here, or email us at [email protected]

The leaders from our recent ISN Live event, Matthew Burfield, Lauren Binnington and Lucinda Willis answer a selection of your questions in this bonus Q&A session.

Questions

1. How do you tackle performance issues and ensure your communication is both clear and compassionate?
2. Do you have any advice on how to manage relationships when you feel unable to have open conversations? How can a team collaborate with a leader who is still gaining experience?
3. How do you recognise and support educators who are experiencing burnout or disengagement?
4. How do you set boundaries between your teaching staff and parents?
5. How do you build trust and alignment in a team that is diverse in culture, background, and teaching experience?
6. How do you incorporate team voices so that staff feel heard and part of bigger decision-making?
7. What are the challenges of leading in a new region and in a new context such as fee paying, that you may not know very well?
8. Which characteristics, in your experience, are best suited to school leadership and which struggle? Are there early signs of those who will succeed and those who may struggle whilst taking on this type of position?

In the latest episode of 5 Takes, award-winning educator and author Edd Moore explores practical and fun ways to incorporate sustainability into the primary school curriculum.

5 Takes

Take 1) Eco Warriors

Take 2) Culture is King/Queen

Take 3) Environmental Projects

Take 4) Involving Community

Take 5) Embed Sustainability across the curriculum

Links

Find more about Edd's work and book release here: https://ecoedd.com/

Connect with Edd here: linkedin.com/in/edd-moore-a0369b86

Sponsored by the International Curriculum Association, senior leaders and subject experts explore ways in which international schools can help achieve the UN SDGs 2030.

Key themes:

• Examples of successfully integrated sustainability projects and initiatives.
• The role of student voice and agency in shaping a school's sustainability agenda.
• The role of global citizenship and collaboration with local community to encourage action on the SDGs.
• Looking ahead, the role international schools have in shaping the global narrative.
• How ICA’s materials support the effective teaching and learning of SDG’s 2030.

In this ISN Live event, sponsored by The National College, safeguarding, mental health and well-being experts analyse the findings of Jonathan Haidt's ground-breaking book.

Speakers

Sian Jorgensen: Safeguarding Consultant and Trainer, International Schools Specialist, ©SAFE Interviewing Trainer Hayley Wilson: Deputy Head of Secondary School (Pastoral Community and Wellbeing) at Kellet School, The British International School in Hong Kong Anna Bateman: Senior Education Consultant, Specialising in Mental Health Strategy and Training. Jamie Ganley: Head of Sales at The National College

Agenda:

• Session 1: Sian Jorgensen; The Research and Impact of Social Media and Mobile Phone Use on Young People Slides
• Session 2: Jamie Ganley and Anna Bateman; The National College presents #WakeUpWednesday to support educators and parents. Slides
• Session 3: Hayley Wilson, Sian Jorgensen and Anna Bateman: A panel discussion; How to support Teachers and Parents in International Schools

In this discussion, sponsored by our partner Chameleon PDE, we explore how emerging leaders develop essential leadership skills, tackle systemic challenges, and leverage professional relationships.

Key themes:

• The key skills and competencies that are most critical for advancement into leadership roles in international education.
• The unique challenges faced by early-career leaders in the international education sector, how developing leadership skills and coaching helps address these challenges.
• External influences that can support personal development as an early-career leader.
• The importance of evaluating the demands and requirements of a leadership position, recognising when to take on a position or even step back.
• Significant learning experiences and challenges in early career leadership - the lessons learned and implemented.
• Strategies used to build trust and credibility within a team or with peers as a new leader.

Guests:

Angela Milliken-Tull - Director of Chameleon PDE

Hasna Hussein: PYP Coordinator at International School of Dakar

Ciara Gilliespie: Teacher of MYP and IB Chemistry at ABA Oman International School

Charlotte Ward: PSHE Coordinator, Humanities Teacher at TSI International School

Andy Goga: Head of Humanities at The International Heritage School

In this new series, we will hear from a series of experienced teachers and leaders to give us 5 essential takeaways on key topics in international education. In this first episode, John Dolman, The AI English Teacher shares his 5 takes on AI for Inclusivity and how to best utilise AI to support all learners.

5 Takes...

1. Differentiating Reading Material- the first easy win Any LLM like ChatGPT - acting in the role as an expert teacher skilled in differentiation. Great platforms like Diffit - are specifically built for differentiation. Differentiation is a proven pedagogical technique.
2. Text to Image - visualisation for access Creating visualisations of place and character. Helping students create their own descriptions through prompts - Canva is free for schools and has advanced image generation built-in.
3. Gamification - making learning more accessible Multiple choice questions - easy to make with LLMs, quick prompts. Any other quick quiz formats too. Quizizz - a brilliant platform for delivering gamified learning, has inbuilt differentiation. Interactive scenarios: Get LLMs to act as ‘dungeon masters’ and take students through scenario-based activities.
4. Voice to Text Much better now than old voice typing. Mobile platforms available meaning recording on devices - Otter AI, Audio Pen. Put transcripts into an LLM and turn them into something else.
5. Personalised Tutors Using platforms like Brisk and Mizou (both GDPR compliant) personalised tutors and guardrailed chatbots can work as assistants for students. These can be used for extension as well as scaffolding - inclusion means working with G&T too.

Links

The AI English Teacher Blog

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To share your story, thoughts or ideas with the ISN community, please send your article draft directly to our editorial team here, or email us at [email protected]

In this discussion, Hannah Wilson, Leadership Development Consultant and Founder and Director of Diverse Educators, shares how her passion for DEIJ has influenced every step of her career.

Key Themes:

• Experiences of school, developing a passion for equity and inclusion from an early age.
• The decision to teach and Hannah's first experiences of teaching in very different schools.
• Journey into leadership, the challenges and successes Hannah experienced as a Vice Principal and a Headteacher/ Executive Headteacher.
• The power of disrupting the norm and creative recruitment practices.
• Deciding to step back from a school environment.
• How Hannah's disruption, creativity and passion for equity and inclusion spearheaded projects: WomenEd and DiverseEd.

Discover more about Hannah and Disrupted Education here

Register for your free ISN membership here

In this interview, Dr. Benjamin Freud—Head of Upper School at Green School Bali and founder of Coconut Thinking—shares the journey and insights that shaped his role as an influential environmental educator.

Key themes:

• Personal experiences of school, the importance of understanding the why when learning and the benefits of a University environment.
• A varied career and the motivation to teach.
• Diverse teaching experiences, the key successes and challenges.
• Leaving a traditional international school settings for the Green School, Bali, the curriculum and schemes of learning.
• Advice for chools looking to make bigger changes in terms of their environmental impact and goals for sustainability.