The 100,000th episode of the ISS EDU Learn Ask Me Anything podcast, hosted by Mike Pierre, celebrates a significant milestone in the realm of international education. The episode features insights from the ISS team, including Liz Duffy, Tom Hawkins, and Chandler Clayton, who discuss their roles within ISS and the impact of the podcast over the past two years. The podcast serves as a platform for educators to connect, learn, and share experiences regarding international schooling. The hosts express their excitement about the growth of the podcast, its approach to outreach, and the importance of discussing various aspects of international education, including operational management, marketing strategies, and the value of community and personal development.

🎉 Milestone Celebration: The podcast celebrates reaching 100,000 downloads, marking a significant achievement in its journey.

🌍 Diverse Conversations: Episodes feature discussions about international education, bridging gaps between educators, administrators, and experts.

🎙️ Expert Guests: The podcast includes insights from the ISS team, enhancing the conversation around international education.

📚 Professional Development: ISS offers over 150 courses, many for free, to support educators in their professional growth.

🌐 Global Opportunities: The podcast emphasizes the career opportunities available through ISS’s resources and job fairs.

💬 Community Engagement: The ISS podcast aims to foster a sense of community among educators across the globe.

Key Insights

• 
  

  🌐 Technology’s Role in Education: The conversation highlights how technology has transformed communication in education, allowing real-time discussions and collaborations across international schools. This shift has made it easier for educators to share experiences, tackle issues, and celebrate successes in a more connected world.

• 
  

  📈 Business Savvy in Education: Tom Hawkins emphasizes the importance of understanding the business side of education, particularly in international schools. Effective operations, marketing, and financial sustainability are essential for schools to thrive, showcasing the need for educators to develop skills beyond teaching.

• 
  

  🎓 Personalization in Learning: Liz Duffy discusses the significance of personalized learning experiences for adults, mirroring the emphasis on student-centered learning in classrooms. This notion underlines the importance of providing flexible resources that cater to educators’ diverse needs and preferences.

• 
  

  🧠 Mental Health Matters: The team acknowledges the growing importance of mental health discussions, not only for students but also for educators. This insight points to a broader need for support systems within international education, fostering well-being among all stakeholders.

• 
  

  🌍 Future of International Schools: The evolving landscape of international education raises questions about quality delivery amid increasing competition and access to resources. The podcast encourages listeners to think critically about how to maintain high standards and equitable access to quality education globally.

• 
  

  🤝 Building Community Connections: The podcast aims to highlight the power of community in education, encouraging educators to connect over shared experiences and challenges. This approach strengthens the support network available to those working in international schools.

• In conclusion, the ISS EDU Learn Ask Me Anything podcast celebrates its journey, offering valuable insights into the world of international education while laying the groundwork for future growth and engagement. The hosts and guests share their passion for education, emphasizing the need for continuous learning, community building, and innovative approaches to professional development. This episode encapsulates the spirit of collaboration and the commitment to making a positive impact in the global education landscape.

In this episode, Josh Bishop, Head of School at Surabaya Intercultural School in Indonesia, shares his insights on navigating the financial challenges faced by small international schools. With a focus on managing limited budgets while meeting the expansive educational needs of their students, Josh offers innovative financial strategies and budgeting techniques. The discussion covers smart resource allocation, the importance of data in budgeting, and how to leverage the school’s existing expertise to reduce costs. Josh’s experience with both small budgets and large needs offers valuable lessons for school administrators and financial officers around the world.

Join us as Josh explains how his school turned around its financial situation despite facing challenges like transitioning during the pandemic, a fluctuating expat population, and the intricacies of implementing new technology in a budget-conscious environment. He shares practical tips, including a smart approach to technology adoption and creative problem-solving strategies that have helped Surabaya Intercultural School thrive. For deeper dives into these strategies, Josh’s full course “Small Budgets and Big Needs” on the ISS Edu platform offers further resources and insights.

Episode Highlights

Introduction of Josh Bishop [3:29]

Navigating budgetary challenges smaller schools face [4:31]

Effective ways of introducing new technology in schools [8:34]

Small budgets, big needs [14:57]

The 5 Why’s Protocol [19:44]

A systems approach to thinking and decision-making [23:23]

Macro to micro [25:49]

AI is a timesaver [26:55]

Strategic Fundraising [27:53]

Key Takeaways

Using long-term data trends helps small schools better forecast and manage enrollment, leading to more accurate budget planning.

Thriving in international education requires openness to change and cultural differences.

Introduce technology with a clear educational benefit, and ensure staff and students are properly trained to use it effectively.

Cultural competence and inclusivity are essential in international school settings.

Quotes

"Oftentimes, in education, when we’re confronted with a problem, we assume that’s the problem. And I would argue, we don’t ask enough deep questions to understand if it’s the root problem, or if it’s a causation of a deeper problem.”

"We tell our staff and our students the same, failure is an important part of learning so long as you learn from it and don’t repeat it.”

"I think AI is taking a lot of things off their plate so that they have more white space to think critically and creatively.”

This podcast episode delves into the topic of LGBTQ+ safety and belonging during school trips, featuring insights from Emily, an LGBTQ+ consultant for international schools. The episode unpacks the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ students and staff during travel and highlights the importance of proactive policies, harm reduction strategies, and inclusive practices. Emily shares her professional journey, beginning as a school counselor and evolving into an advocate for systemic change in international schools. She discusses her research-backed frameworks for supporting LGBTQ+ safety, addressing stigma, and creating affirming environments that transcend cultural and legal boundaries.

Listeners will learn about the complexities of international school travel, including privacy concerns, cultural sensitivities, and strategies for collaborating with external providers. Emily emphasizes the importance of leadership, clear policies, and early intervention to prevent harm and promote belonging. Her practical tools, including pre-screening home stays and questionnaires for external providers, empower schools to take actionable steps in creating safer travel experiences for all students.

Episode Highlights

Introduction to the Course and Emily’s Work

Overview of the LGBTQ+ safety and belonging course for school trips.

Emily’s background as a school counselor and LGBTQ+ consultant.

Challenges in International School Travel

Privacy concerns for transgender students regarding passports.

Cultural sensitivities in countries with varying LGBTQ+ laws.

Research-Backed Frameworks

Development of frameworks addressing stigma and discrimination.

Application of child development research to international contexts.

Proactive Policies and Harm Reduction

Importance of implementing identity-based anti-harassment policies.

Strategies to ensure safety without outing LGBTQ+ students.

Practical Tools for Schools

Pre-screening home stay families for inclusivity.

Using questionnaires to vet external trip providers.

The Role of Leadership

Emphasis on sturdy, calm, and decisive leadership during challenges.

Steering school policies with courage and clarity.

Nuances of International School Settings

Differences between local and international school systems.

Complications of students traveling to less inclusive regions.

Catalysts for Change

Common triggers for schools to seek LGBTQ+ consulting.

Benefits of proactive approaches over reactive measures.

Addressing Bias

Reflecting on biases that educators bring into diverse contexts.

Examples of overcoming misconceptions through personal experiences.

Supporting Students and Staff

Importance of affirming policies for both LGBTQ+ students and allies.

Balancing community opinions with institutional values.

Resources for Schools

Emily’s website as a hub for templates and starting points.

Tools for initiating conversations and training staff.

Final Insights

Encouragement for schools to prioritize safety and belonging.

The importance of courage and determination in creating systemic change.

Episode Takeaways

- Proactive measures, such as implementing inclusive policies and pre-screening trip arrangements, are critical to ensuring LGBTQ+ safety and belonging during school travel.

- Leadership plays a pivotal role in steering schools toward clear and affirming values, even in the face of community resistance.

- Utilizing research-backed frameworks and practical tools can empower schools to navigate the complexities of international travel with LGBTQ+ students and staff.

Quotes

“Leadership requires thinking about what the school actually believes and steering the airplane straight—even in turbulence.”

“There’s always a way to make a school safer, no matter the context. It’s about finding the right entry point.”

“Proactive policies are like building the plane before you fly it—it’s easier, safer, and more effective.”