In this episode I had the absolute pleasure to speak with Rhiannon Phillips Bianco, Leader of Wellbeing and Positive Education and Y6 Class Teacher at the Southlands British International School in Rome. Rhiannon shares her experiences and lessons that she has learned in her previous and current Wellbeing Leader roles. We discuss the work that has influenced Rhiannon's approach to supporting wellbeing in schools, we learn how Rhiannon has adapted her wellbeing work with primary students to now working with students across the whole school, and we talk about the small things that we can do create a culture of support, safety, and wellbeing amongst staff. Rhiannon has a wealth of knowledge and experience combined with a true passion for supporting wellbeing, and it was a real honour to speak with her. I hope you enjoy the episode!

You can also check out previous issues of the Wellbeing in International Schools Magazine at: https://www.schoolmanagementplus.com/category/publications/wellbeing-international-schools-magazine/

We kick-off Series 2 with a very special episode where I get the chance to chat with Carolina, Sofie, Anni and Ben, from student equity group STAND (Students Together AgaiNst Discrimination), International School of Helsinki, who are fighting for equity both within their school, and the wider community. We learn about the origins of the group, how they launched and branded the group to help engage other high school students, and their thoughts on how teachers can best support the work of student equity groups in their settings.

This episode can also be found in issue 2 of the Wellbeing in International Schools Magazine which is available at: https://www.schoolmanagementplus.com/publications/wellbeing-international-school-magazine/

Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast. Also, please check out WISEducationblog.com for more information about WISEducation.

In this episode I had the privilege of speaking with Nunana Nyomi, Associate Director of Higher Education Services, Council of International Schools. In this episode we discuss how Higher Education has had to respond to the challenges of the pandemic by finding ways to holistically assess students, and not rely on traditional mass assessment methods. We discuss the context that led to Nunana’s article on how international education perpetuates structural racism and how anti-racism is the solution, and we also talk about the context that led up to the refreshingly honest conversation between Nunana and Jane Larsson, Executive Director of CIS, that followed this. The views shared in this interview reflect Nunana’s own and are not representative of CIS. Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast. Also, please check out WISEducationblog.com for more information about WISEducation.

Some of the resources that we discussed:

International education perpetuates structural racism and anti-racism is the solution - https://www.cois.org/about-cis/news/post/~board/perspectives-blog/post/international-education-perpetuates-structural-racism-and-anti-racism-is-the-solution

A conversation on anti-racism and international education - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlpQOBUbG8Es

Eradicating System Bias: How to Indentify and Counter International School Blind-Spots - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-xOhdlURj0&t=1662s

Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) - http://aieloc.org

In this episode I had the privilege of speaking with Tricia Friedman, Creative Content Director with Shifting Schools and creator of the Be A Better Ally podcast. We discuss the often unasked question of ‘what is it like to be a queer educator?’ and Tricia candidly shares some of her experiences. We also talk about the need to have ongoing difficult conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion, and the ‘call for candidness’ within education. Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast. Also, please check out WISEducationblog.com for more information about WISEducation.

Some of the awesome work that Tricia is involved in:

Shifting Schools: https://www.shiftingschools.com (check out the free guide for Pride month)

AllyEd - https://allyed.org

Other helpful resources that we discussed:

'Filling the space', Tricia Friedman talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=HxX2AT3Cpjs

'Beware of equity traps and tropes', Jamila Dugan article - http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar21/vol78/num06/Beware-of-Equity-Traps-and-Tropes.aspx

Gender Studies podcast with a particular shoutout to the episode on 'the tragedy of heterosexuality' - https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/jane-ward-the-tragedy-of-heterosexuality-nyu-press-2020/id425400236?i=1000526371186

Gender-Inclusive Biology, Sam Long - https://www.genderinclusivebiology.com

WNBA Social Justice work - https://www.wnba.com/socialjustice/

In this episode I had the privilege of speaking with Daniel Wickner, founder of Identity-Centered Learning and Elementary Teacher at Hong Kong International School. In this episode we discuss the importance of placing identity at the centre of our students’ learning, not by planting seeds for our students, but rather allowing them to plant their own seeds, and Daniel discusses ideas for how we can do this. We also talk about the vulnerability that we experience as educators in sharing parts of our identity at school. Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast. Also, please check out WISEducationblog.com for more information about WISEducation.

In this episode I had the privilege of speaking with Matthew Savage, consultant, trainer and coach, founder of #themonalisaeffect, and former International School Principal. This was a really special conversation where Matthew shared his son Jack’s journey, and what his transgender son has taught him about inclusion. We also talk about the importance of placing identity as central to work around wellbeing, and Matthew shares his thoughts on what might be helpful for schools to think about when starting their LGBTQ+ inclusion and allyship journey. Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast. Also, please check out WISEducationblog.com for more information about WISEducation.

In this episode I had the privilege of speaking with Kathy Wallace, Head of IB Language and Literature at UWCSEA (East), Singapore. We explore an interesting and wide range of topics, including Kathy’s research on ‘Out Of The Local And Into The Global: Parental Perspectives Of International Education In Singapore’, parentocracy and elitism in international education, the potential impact of de-regulated international school markets on local education systems, and student identity and the importance of students learning about the local context in which they are being educated in. Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast. Also, please check out WISEducationblog.com for more information about WISEducation.

In this episode I have the privilege to speak with Kathleen Naglee, Head of School and CEO at the International School of Helsinki. We discuss a range of relevant issues, including the importance of having and showing vulnerability and empathy as a leader to staff, students and especially families, Kathleen’s mission to ensure that international school recruitment organisations do more to protect and support LGBTQ+ staff, and ISH’s world pioneering work on VR and the role of VR in the future of education. Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast. Also, please check out WISEducationblog.com for more information about WISEducation.

In this episode I had the privilege to speak with Kyra Kellawan, Head of Education Partnerships at Xperienceships. We explore what the future of work could be and how international schools can best prepare students for this, we discover what Kyra has learnt from the fascinating discussions that she had had with the innovators, creators, and trailblazers working in education that she has spoken to as a part of her PilotEd podcast, and we discuss the gendering of career choices and how schools can help create positive change in this area. Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast. Also, please check out WISEducationblog.com for more information about WISEducation.

In this episode I had the privilege to speak with Kristin Daniel, Ed.D, President and Co-Founder of the Circulus Institute. We explore how the pandemic has impacted upon international teachers’ wellbeing in unique ways, what resilience is and what it’s not, and how Kristin’s background in Special Education has informed her work which now centres on teaching Social-Emotional Learning skills to educators. I certainly found there to be a lot of things that I related to in Kristin’s words and work and I’m sure educators listening will too. Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast. Also, please check out WISEducationblog.com for more information about WISEducation.