by Nicola Holloway When we talk about leadership in international schools, it’s easy to turn to numbers.
We hear about the ‘feminisation’ of education and how women make up the majority of teaching staff worldwide.
When we take a closer look at these numbers, women remain underrepresented in school leadership roles, especially in the most …
The Challenges of Leadership: Women in International Education Read More »
by Lawrence Potter The Power of Walkarounds: Seeing, Listening, and Leading with Presence There are moments in leadership when you catch yourself mid-step – quite literally.
For me, one of those moments happens during walkarounds.
I sometimes chuckle to myself as I move through classrooms or linger near a corridor – thinking, Do I look strange …
The Power of Walkarounds: Seeing, Listening, and Leading with Presence Read More »
by Chris Moses After a particularly long week and while in a somewhat cheeky mood, I remarked to a group of Principal friends that I would really love to have a school full of average, just entirely, wonderfully, completely average – students.
While my words sprang from some incidental and long-forgotten frustrations, with that quip, I …
by Dr Justin Zhang A heartfelt thank you to Amy and the LYIS team for inviting me into this vibrant community of leaders.
There’s nothing more energising than sharing a space with people dedicated to the art and science of education.
Have you ever watched a single pebble drop into a calm pond? The real …
by Justin Zhu Comprising China (including Taiwan), Japan, and South Korea, East Asia is well-known for its high academic standards, exam-driven systems, and strongly ingrained Confucian values.
Beyond language barriers, expatriate teachers and principals entering this setting must learn to negotiate unspoken rules, strict hierarchies, and society expectations impacting everything from classroom behaviour to leadership …
Thriving in East Asian School Culture: Why East Asia Calls for Another Cultural Lens Read More »
by Daniel Lyng Papua New Guinea (PNG) is not generally a well-known place for those of us that were born in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly Europe.
A place I only knew of as it was close to Australia, and it had featured in many David Attenborough documentaries.
I took the role of Deputy Principal at …
Building Culture: A Journey of Ongoing Development Read More »
by Belinda Williams It doesn’t always start with a dramatic outburst or an obvious violation.
More often, workplace abuse begins with silence.
The kind that settles in meeting rooms where no one speaks up.
The kind that wraps around leadership decisions that don’t make sense but aren’t questioned.
The kind that leaves a dedicated professional …
by Michael Iannini One of the most frequent and quietly corrosive challenges international school middle leaders face is the “That’s not my job” response from colleagues.
It’s a moment that can stop progress in its tracks, especially in schools where collaboration, adaptability, and shared responsibility are essential to success.
This challenge is often amplified in …
That’s Not My Job”: Reframing Professional Expectations in International Schools Read More »
by Christopher Hoddinott My journey into educational leadership has been marked by continual growth, driven by a deep-rooted passion for education, an enduring commitment to student well-being, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of learning.
From my early teaching days to my current role as Canadian International School Kunshan (CISK) and moving into …
My Journey in Educational Leadership: A Personal and Professional Reflection Read More »
by Jo Owen When I was asked to write a book on Smart Thinking, I was both excited and terrified.
The terror came from a very simple question: “What is smart thinking?” If you had to write a book about Smart Thinking, what would you write about? “What is smart thinking?” joins a long list …