In this episode I had the absolute pleasure to speak with Rhiannon Phillips Bianco, Leader of Wellbeing and Positive Education and Y6 Class Teacher at the Southlands British International School in Rome. Rhiannon shares her experiences and lessons that she has learned in her previous and current Wellbeing Leader roles. We discuss the work that has influenced Rhiannon's approach to supporting wellbeing in schools, we learn how Rhiannon has adapted her wellbeing work with primary students to now w...
May 01, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 2
We kick-off Series 2 with a very special episode where I get the chance to chat with Carolina, Sofie, Anni and Ben, from student equity group STAND (Students Together AgaiNst Discrimination), International School of Helsinki, who are fighting for equity both within their school, and the wider community. We learn about the origins of the group, how they launched and branded the group to help engage other high school students, and their thoughts on how teachers can best support the work of student...
Dec 09, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this episode I had the privilege of speaking with Nunana Nyomi, Associate Director of Higher Education Services, Council of International Schools. In this episode we discuss how Higher Education has had to respond to the challenges of the pandemic by finding ways to holistically assess students, and not rely on traditional mass assessment methods. We discuss the context that led to Nunana’s article on how international education perpetuates structural racism and how anti-racism is the solutio...
Jul 21, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode I had the privilege of speaking with Tricia Friedman, Creative Content Director with Shifting Schools and creator of the Be A Better Ally podcast. We discuss the often unasked question of ‘what is it like to be a queer educator?’ and Tricia candidly shares some of her experiences. We also talk about the need to have ongoing difficult conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion, and the ‘call for candidness’ within education. Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast. Als...
Jul 14, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In this episode I had the privilege of speaking with Daniel Wickner, founder of Identity-Centered Learning and Elementary Teacher at Hong Kong International School. In this episode we discuss the importance of placing identity at the centre of our students’ learning, not by planting seeds for our students, but rather allowing them to plant their own seeds, and Daniel discusses ideas for how we can do this. We also talk about the vulnerability that we experience as educators in sharing parts of o...
Jul 07, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In this episode I had the privilege of speaking with Matthew Savage, consultant, trainer and coach, founder of #themonalisaeffect, and former International School Principal. This was a really special conversation where Matthew shared his son Jack’s journey, and what his transgender son has taught him about inclusion. We also talk about the importance of placing identity as central to work around wellbeing, and Matthew shares his thoughts on what might be helpful for schools to think about when s...
Jun 30, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this episode I had the privilege of speaking with Kathy Wallace, Head of IB Language and Literature at UWCSEA (East), Singapore. We explore an interesting and wide range of topics, including Kathy’s research on ‘Out Of The Local And Into The Global: Parental Perspectives Of International Education In Singapore’, parentocracy and elitism in international education, the potential impact of de-regulated international school markets on local education systems, and student identity and the importa...
Jun 23, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this episode I have the privilege to speak with Kathleen Naglee, Head of School and CEO at the International School of Helsinki. We discuss a range of relevant issues, including the importance of having and showing vulnerability and empathy as a leader to staff, students and especially families, Kathleen’s mission to ensure that international school recruitment organisations do more to protect and support LGBTQ+ staff, and ISH’s world pioneering work on VR and the role of VR in the future of ...
Jun 16, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode I had the privilege to speak with Kyra Kellawan, Head of Education Partnerships at Xperienceships. We explore what the future of work could be and how international schools can best prepare students for this, we discover what Kyra has learnt from the fascinating discussions that she had had with the innovators, creators, and trailblazers working in education that she has spoken to as a part of her PilotEd podcast, and we discuss the gendering of career choices and how schools can...
Jun 12, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode I had the privilege to speak with Kristin Daniel, Ed.D, President and Co-Founder of the Circulus Institute. We explore how the pandemic has impacted upon international teachers’ wellbeing in unique ways, what resilience is and what it’s not, and how Kristin’s background in Special Education has informed her work which now centres on teaching Social-Emotional Learning skills to educators. I certainly found there to be a lot of things that I related to in Kristin’s words and work a...
Jun 01, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this episode I had the privilege to speak with Nick Dunn, Director of Activities and Community Operations at UWC East campus in Singapore. We explore how Nick’s background and career as an elite gymnast and coach, and also his experience in independent and international education for the past 25 years has shaped his philosophy and values when it comes to education. We also explore the work that Nick and UWCSEA are doing to create 21st Century learners, and we discuss the morality of private a...
May 27, 2021•42 min
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://wiseducationblog.com/2021/04/08/wellbeing-in-international-schools-are-we-missing-the-bigger-picture/
May 22, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 1
