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 […]
In Praise of Average Read More »
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
When Silence Hurts Read More »
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
by Raymond Lee As a deputy principal of an international school in Hong Kong, I have come to realise that the retention of teachers is as crucial as their recruitment. While we often focus on hiring and training new educators, we must also prioritise strategies that keep our talented teachers engaged and satisfied in their
A Retention Framework as the Major Recruitment Strategy Read More »
by Nishant Sharma In today’s rapidly evolving world of technology, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) has become more than just a social media slang often used by Millennials and Gen Z – it could be a driving force in the world of educational leadership and innovation. According to a report published in EdTech Magazine, 90% of principals believe technology is
FOMO In Tech: A Change Leadership Tool or a Trap? Read More »