Leadership

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 […]

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 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

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

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

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

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 Dr Tania Blatti Leadership in international schools is not just about policies and procedures – it is about people. It is about creating a culture where learning thrives, where individuals feel valued, and where schools embody ethical, inclusive, and transformational leadership. Having worked across Australia, the UAE, South Korea, and China, I have experienced