by Lisa Thorpe With over 20 years in education, including a decade in senior leadership, I have cultivated a leadership style that is uniquely my own, rooted in heart, experience, and authenticity, rather than confined to a textbook definition.
As an international school leader and facilitator in a global leadership program, I’ve had the privilege of …
by Dr Dan Gilfillen Working in bilingual and international schools around the world for the last 16 years, one area of leadership has become apparent to me as a crucial element of leadership: sustainable change management.
While readers of the LYIS Principal’s Blog may be well versed in sustainability (a big term to unpack) related to curriculum, …
Sustainable International School Change Management Read More »
by Ariane Baer-Harper My passion for speaking about cultural competence in school leadership started subtly over the years of working in international schools across several continents.
It grew during moments with a colleague when I didn’t realize I had upset them, or in conversations where I felt I was missing nuances I thought I should …
Cultural Quotient: The Most Important “Q” in International School Leadership Read More »
by Estelle Baroung Hughes I.
Conceptualizing peace in international education Peace is a spiral of hope that starts at the level of self and spreads out towards others and the world.
Because peace both grounds and de-centers us, it can be compared to a seed of beauty that grows within us and produces healing fruits …
by Katarzyna Czapor For international school leaders, the call to full inclusion is often framed as an ethical imperative, yet its implementation frequently founders on the sharp rocks of budget and resources.
As the Regional Head of SEND and Inclusion for a diverse group of schools in Malaysia, spanning preschools to IGCSE, across both national …
Is Full Inclusion Actually Sustainable? Defining the True Cost of Ethical Leadership Read More »
by Sayd Shah I never expected to become Acting Principal, at least not at this point in my career.
For years, I had been working as Vice Principal, focused on curriculum, leadership, and student progress.
I was comfortable in that role, proud of what we were building as a team.
Then, without warning, I was …
Dropped in the Deep End: Reflections on Ethical Leadership Read More »
by Shelley Swift “Connection is why we’re here.
It’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.
”— Brené Brown I’ve always found it surprising that in a sector built on nurturing human potential, so much of our leadership language was borrowed from the world of business – focusing on productivity, top-down control, and metrics.
Yet we …
The Heart of the Matter: Leading with Compassion 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 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 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 »