In this episode of the Blue Skies Leadership Podcast, hosts Dan Kerr and Daniel Mendes engage with Jane Larsson, Executive Director of the Council of International Schools (CIS). They discuss the evolving landscape of international education, the importance of socially responsible leadership, and the innovative initiatives implemented by CIS to enhance educational practices.

Key topics include the moral responsibility of schools to provide international education, the need for empathy in leadership, and the introduction of competency-based assessment frameworks. The conversation highlights the significance of adapting educational practices to meet the diverse needs of global communities and the exciting future of international education.

Takeaways

• Every school should be providing an international education.
• We have a moral responsibility to help young people make sense of the world.
• Empathy is a crucial quality for leaders today.
• International education encompasses all forms of education.
• Understanding demographic trends is vital for future education planning.
• CIS is developing a developmental, differentiated approach to school evaluation and accreditation.
• Competency-based assessment is a new area of focus for international schools.
• Available in 2025, a new, open-source Pedagogy Playbook will guide schools in making pedagogical decisions.
• Socially responsible leadership is essential for the future of education.
• The future of international education is bright with innovative initiatives.

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Sound Bites

"Every school should be providing an international education."

"We have a moral responsibility to help young people."

"International education is really all education."

"We need to be aware of trends in population and immigration and their relationship to education. They are intertwined.”

"We're creating socially responsible leaders."

"It's an exciting time to be in international schools."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Blue Skies Leadership Podcast

02:50 The Role of CIS in International Education

03:43 Vision for International Education

06:07 Leadership Development for Social Responsibility

08:28 Trends Shaping International Education

13:34 CIS's New Framework for School Evaluation and Accreditation

15:31 Innovative Partnerships and Initiatives

20:33 Competency-Based Assessment in Education

23:54 The CIS Pedagogy Playbook

26:17 Future Directions for CIS and International Education

Summary

In this episode of the Blue Skies Leadership Podcast, hosts Dan Kerr and Daniel Mendes engage with Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini, who shares her extensive experience in middle-level leadership within international schools. The conversation explores the importance of teacher efficacy, the need for intentional collaboration, and cultivating a healthy school culture. Nancy emphasizes the significance of psychological safety, trust-building, and the role of middle leaders in fostering a positive educational environment. The discussion also highlights practical advice for aspiring leaders and the key traits that effective middle-level leaders should possess.

Takeaways

• Teacher efficacy is the number one influencer of student learning.
• Intentional collaboration among teachers is crucial for success.
• Meetings should have clear outcomes and engage participants meaningfully.
• Psychological safety allows for healthy cognitive conflict in teams.
• Building trust is foundational for effective leadership.
• Middle leaders should model distributed leadership practices.
• Celebrating successes is essential for a positive school culture.
• Mentorship is vital for personal and professional growth.
• Effective leaders prioritize student learning above all else.
• Curiosity and inquiry are key traits of successful leaders.

Sound Bites

• "Culture is not always the best culture."
• "You have to build trust with intentionality."
• "You can still have fun and collaborate."
• "Jump on any opportunity to get involved."
• "It's about the community and the learners."
• "Learning leader puts learning first."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Blue Skies Leadership Podcast

01:59 The Importance of Middle-Level Leadership

03:27 Blue Sky Thinking in Education

08:59 Cultivating a Healthy School Culture

14:19 Promoting Collaboration and Distributed Leadership

20:57 Advice for Aspiring Leaders

25:16 Key Traits of Effective Middle-Level Leaders

30:50 Connecting with Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini

In this episode of the Blue Skies Leadership Podcast, hosts Dan Kerr and Daniel Mendes engage in a profound conversation with Dr. Derek Gay, a global expert on diversity and inclusion. They explore the complexities of understanding diversity, the critical role of belonging in educational settings, and the importance of cultural context in implementing diversity initiatives. Dr. Gay emphasizes that creating a culture of belonging requires strategic change management and active engagement from all community members. The discussion also highlights the need for representation within international schools and the vision for a future where belonging is integral to the educational experience.

Dr. Derrick Gay is a globally recognized Belonging and Intercultural Strategist, dedicated to fostering cultures of dignity and respect. With multifaceted expertise as an international speaker, author, researcher, educator, and university lecturer, Dr. Gay empowers individuals and organizations to deepen belonging and empathy by cultivating shared language, raising awareness, and fostering inclusive personal behaviors and organizational practices and policies. Dr. Gay’s work spans numerous industries, including schools, businesses, non-profits, and arts organizations.

Drawing from his extensive international experience, Dr. Gay designs meaningful strategies that resonate across a broad range of industries and cultures. His approach, informed by research and practitioner experiences in over 50 countries, facilitates meaningful connections and promotes belonging on a global scale. A lifelong educator with over 28 years of experience, Dr. Gay taught in K-12 schools and served as a senior administrator in schools around the world. Most recently, he has served as a senior advisor to Sesame Street while also serving as adjunct faculty/lecturer at University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, International Fashion Academy, Parsons Paris, and Teachers College at Columbia University. As such, Dr. Gay engages with the full range of education from early childhood to doctorate students, supporting students, staff, parents, administrators, and boards. During the 2023-24 academic year, he led Belonging and Intercultural Competency efforts in schools and organizations spanning 23 countries and 45 cities.

Takeaways

• • The critical distinctions between "diversity," "inclusion," and "belonging" within the context of international schools.
  • How the term "diversity" is often framed as proxy for historically marginalized groups, which places the burden of addressing harm, discrimination, and bias on individuals from “diverse” groups.
  • The importance of reframing "diversity" to encompass the unique backgrounds of all individuals while also recognizing shared human connections, thereby compelling everyone to address dignity infractions and ensuring that all feel safe, valued, and respected.
  • The essential role of families in nurturing intercultural competency in children by modeling inclusive behaviors and engaging in meaningful conversations about differences.
  • Practical strategies for international schools to foster a truly inclusive environment for all students, staff, and families.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Diversity and Inclusion

02:49 The Role of Belonging in Education

06:10 Cultural Context and Diversity Work

08:53 Strategic Change Management in Schools

12:08 The Importance of Representation

14:59 Vision for Future Schools

17:46 Engaging the Community in Belonging

21:05 The Journey Ahead for Dr. Gay