Pioneering Leaders
Innovation
Kathleen Naglee, Head of School at the International School of Helsinki, is an educational leader advising national systems, individual schools, international projects, ed-tech start-ups and early career leaders. She specializes in visionary projects on the future of learning. Recent workshops have centred on the neuroscience of learning spaces and the power of disruption. She serves as a Commissioner for NEASC and is a member of the Pioneering Schools’ advisory board.
‘‘I believe in the post-Covid world, it is imperative to continue to take forward learning and these lessons of embodied space that emphasizes psychological safety, intimacy and compassion towards young people.’’
Follow Kathleen on Twitter @KNaglee
Mission
Dr. Arnie Bieber, former Director at the International School of Prague, has taught and administered in schools in Germany, Venezuela, Romania and the Czech Republic. Arnie previously served as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA) and recently stepped down as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS).
‘‘Whether we like it or not, schools are no longer the gatekeepers of information or knowledge. Our students can freely access a world of knowledge and learning experiences beyond our input or permission. This paradigm shift poses new and exciting challenges for educators. It is a challenge we cannot ignore.’’
Arnie is a member of the Pioneering Schools’ advisory board. Follow Arnie @arniebieber https://school21c.org/ Full Interview here
Technology
Dr. Marsha Maxwell, Head of Technology and Innovation at Atlanta International School, is a neuroscientist, teacher and technology specialist. With over twenty-three years of experience, Marsha creates innovative environments and applications that harness the power of new technology and neuroscience to enhance a teacher's reach, better engage students and foster a culture of innovation.
‘‘As educators, we cannot forget that we are first and foremost students. I believe our role as lifelong learners is to challenge ourselves and inspire others to go beyond the surface to understand and affect positive change in the world around us.’’
Marsha is a member of the Pioneering Schools’ advisory board.
Follow Marsha on Twitter @MarshaAMaxwell
Leadership Perspectives
“I have spent the past 9 months engaging daily with school leaders from hundreds of schools globally and I honestly believe that the situation regarding their wellbeing is very bleak. The challenges that school leaders face around the world are pretty universal, high levels of expectation from government and parents to maintain quality learning for students while ensuring everyone remains safe; supporting the mental health needs of multiple stakeholder groups; dealing with the financial fallout of the pandemic, all with very little support from the government or from their professional organisations.”
— Dr. Helen Kelly
“When I see what is happening to schools all over the world – open, closed, hybrid and blended learning models, online and in-person – I see how teachers are central to how we get through these crises. We know the world needs an education revolution – the teachers are the heroes that this revolution needs. All over the world, teachers are bringing learning into the lives of students – sparking a love for science, wonder in art, music and drama, admiration for literature, awe in numbers, modeling collaboration, creativity and kindness, and SO much more. Every day teachers change lives. Every day.’’ hwww.greenschool.org/bali/principal/
— Sal Gordon (Green School)
“Out of all crises come new thinking and opportunities to reflect and readjust, and the Covid-19 pandemic is no exception. Teachers at ISL Luxembourg have ‘flipped’ their classrooms as they have moved online, they’ve used virtual meetings to increase the opportunity and efficiency of sharing student progress with their parents. There is still no substitute for learning together in a real environment, but there is no question that this pandemic has shown schools the critical importance of digital skills and the need to be ready and willing to be flexible, to be adaptable to change and to emerge with an understanding that change is almost always a force for good.” Read the full interview here
— Nicki Crush (ISL)
Transformation
Andrew Hand, Forward College, has been a teacher, administrator and educational leader for thirty-seven years in a range of school systems in Australia, Malaysia, Switzerland, the United States and Germany, including the International School of Geneva and the United Nations International School, New York.
'‘I am a strong proponent of the value of educating students in 'human skills’ and competencies, multiple intelligences and transferable skills in the classroom and beyond the gate. I have always been eager to play a role in introducing students to exciting new approaches to teaching and learning in higher education.’’
Andrew currently works as an outreach officer for Forward College and serves on advisory boards for Pioneering Schools, Forward College and Global Education Destinations.
Learning Principles
Teresa Belisle, Director of Learning Research & Development at the International School of Prague, has initiated, prototyped, and expanded progressive possibilities as an educator and learning leader across time and place. She has taught early childhood, primary, secondary and adult learners for the past 35 years in varied systems in France, the United States, Mexico, Egypt, Thailand, and the Czech Republic.
“I am convinced that our vital role as educators is to nurture curious, competent change makers. When learners’ curiosity is permitted to drive what and how they learn, they go deep and remain resilient as they tackle challenges.’’
Teresa is part of the Pioneering Schools’ advisory board.
Follow Teresa on Twitter @teresabelisle www.isp.cz
Communications
Christian Simon, Head of Communications and Marketing at the International School of Luxembourg, has 20+ years of experience in Marketing and Communications. Prior to ISL, he worked 10 years at Deloitte in Luxembourg where he led a team of 15 Marketing & Communications specialists.
“Since opening our doors to the world is becoming less of an option, ISL’s biggest Marcom challenge right now is to bring the school’s inside out to the external world. With the global pandemic, schools and organizations discover it is not enough to have a website and a social media presence. Technology has a bigger role to play and our aim is to take advantage of it.’’
Christian believes that innovation will make the difference between good and great schools. He serves on the advisory board for Pioneering Schools.
‘‘We understand that learning is not a one-size-fits-all construct. Learning is a complex and transformative process of meaning-making through connections, interactions, and experiences that build on prior understandings. Each child’s learning journey should and will be quite different. The notion of providing standard tests to determine a child’s progress is redundant thinking.’’
— Paul O'Neill, Hub Director Verso International School
Strategic Leadership
Patricia Marshall, Director at the American School of Guatemala, has served as an educator and leader in P12 independent and international schools for over 25 years in Colombia, the USA, and Guatemala. Her work centres on strategic planning, governance development, implementation of innovative and enduring program development.
‘‘I believe in building school communities that come together around mission and share a purpose in building a student-centred school where empathy, care and concern for the ages and stages of young learners are at the heart of our words and actions, and where teachers are nurtured through ongoing professional reflection and learning and empowered to join us in the work of leadership.’’
Patricia serves on the Board for AMISA, (formerly AASSA) and has been invited to join the Regional Counsel for CASE Latin America. She is a member of the Pioneering Schools’ advisory board.
Managing Change
Andreas Koini, Director of Antwerp International School, has been teaching in and leading international schools for the past 20+ years. Before joining AIS, he managed the German School in London as their Managing Director and Strothoff International School in Frankfurt as Head of School.
'‘Our ambition goes beyond school-based learning. We are actively establishing collaborations with academic and industry partners in the region. Antwerp and Belgium is home to major petrochemical and pharmaceutical corporations; it is the world's diamond trading centre. All these industries are rooted in STEM and face major environmental challenges. This is a perfect opportunity for our students to learn locally and think globally.’’
Andreas is currently serving as a treasurer at NECIS, the Northwest European Council of International Schools and he is the commissioner at the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in Boston. Read the full interview here
Inclusiveness in Action
Anu Mongu has a distinguished career in education with more than thirty years of senior management experience, leading schools in Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Kodaikanal. In 2005, she founded The Association of International Schools of India, the first platform of its kind fostering collaboration and professional development opportunities for international schools in the region.
“As a director at Bangalore International School, the first thing I noticed was that there was a learning needs child who was asked to stand outside the class, and the thought that came to my mind was that schools need to understand equity, diversity, and inclusiveness. I decided to tell the Board that I would work only if they allow me to bring inclusivity, diversity, and equity into the school.’’
Anu has served as a CIS Vice-Chair, for the IBO’s Heads Council and most recently on the ECIS board. Anu is also a member of the Pioneering Schools’ advisory board.
“Our city becomes another member of the faculty where our students can engage with the local context and the rich landscape of history, institutions, culture and businesses. Too often schools operate in a bubble and this is a wasted opportunity. There is a wide world out there.’’
— Barry Cooper, Founding Principal Global College Madrid
Culture of Coaching
Grace McCallum, Head of School at the American School of Brasília, has been a teacher and educational leader for 17 years in Canada, China, Germany, and Brazil. Grace is passionate about empowering aspiring school leaders and is a leadership coach for school principals.
‘‘My big vision is to establish cultures of coaching. Coaching is something we talk about often in educational institutions but something a few of us do deeply. For me, developing a culture of coaching includes many aspects, such as peer coaching, outside coaches, leadership coaches, and involving all parts of the community. I have seen what impact an authentic culture of coaching can have at my previous schools, and that’s something I would like to bring to EAB.’’
Grace is dedicated to growing international schools in innovative ways that foster student agency and personalized learning opportunities. She is a member of the Pioneering Schools’ advisory board. Read the full interview here
Change Making
Dr. Arunabh Singh, Director of Nehru World School, is an educational visionary, a renowned keynote speaker and an entrepreneur chairing the Federation of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
‘‘The rate of change is increasing and education always had a catch up game to play. What we are catching up to is rapidly increasing in volume and in depth. If we don’t keep up with it, we become pre-historic. The biggest challenge for us at schools is how do we stay relevant for the real world needs of our students. At Nehru, we call this ‘the real world approach’ which is a challenge for everyone in education right now.’’
Arunabh is an outstanding educator and school leader who has transformed teaching and learning at Nehru World School in Ghaziabad, India for the last two decades. Read the full interview here
Immersive Learning
Dr. Muhsinah Morris, Academic Program Director and Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Morehouse College, Atlanta is a VR pioneer and part of the Morehouse team that has made history by creating and teaching entire university subject courses in virtual reality classrooms.
'‘Teaching is usually limited to space and resources in the typical classroom. But in VR you can find the 3D asset and incorporate it into your lesson simply. Learning in VR gives us an opportunity to provide application and offers a higher form of learning. I believe that VR provides a pathway for creating that inclusion through immersive education, vocational rehabilitation services, and therapeutic experiences.’’
Muhsinah is a committed researcher, an award-winning teacher and a Volunteer Advocacy Advisor for Autism Speaks. Read the full interview here