“Empty.” That was the word a student used to describe their globally mobile life: one of privilege, multiple international schools, multilingual, with friends all over the world. Yet each experience required them to adapt and portray a version of themselves that others expected them to be. What might appear as bravado was a desire for a sense of belonging in the classroom. Against these diverse cultural backgrounds, the complex teenage question of ‘Who am I?’ can be draining. The students were grateful for the incredible opportunities provided by a privileged international education, but the f ..read more

The international teaching field is saturated with the same destinations… Surely you know what I mean? With every second person and their dog moving to Dubai, Shanghai and Bangkok, it can be hard to imagine that there are international teaching jobs available in other places. I recently moved from Doha, Qatar to Belgrade, Serbia. If that sounds like a weird move to you, read on to find out why you should choose a lesser known destination for your next teaching assignment… Better financial packages Schools based in less popular destinations know that they need to entice teachers to move there s ..read more

Do you believe in the power of education to inspire positive change? Did you become a teacher to instil in your students an appreciation and sense of responsibility towards the environment? If so, then you’re reading the right blog! In this post, we’re shining the green spotlight on the Foundation for Environmental Education and our upcoming Global Action Days.  What is the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)? The Foundation for Environmental Education is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable development and environmental education. Since 1981, FEE ..read more

Interviews can be really nerve-wracking, especially for educators looking to secure their next teaching position. Now factor in having to complete the interview online because you’re moving continents, and it can be even harder to sell yourself. This is why it’s so important to use every single opportunity to make a good impression. That being said, interviews are not just about showcasing your qualifications and experience; they’re also a chance for you to gather crucial information about the school, its culture, and whether it aligns with your professional goals and values. To help you navig ..read more

With recruitment season in full swing, this quote serves as a fantastic reminder for those of us who find it hard to identify, share or promote our strengths and career successes in applications or interviews.  For many of us, just thinking about our strengths – not to mention telling someone else about them – can make us feel pretty uncomfortable. So, how can we get comfortable with the discomfort of sharing our strengths?    First, it’s useful to identify the cause of discomfort.   Identify the ‘ick’ factor On a scale of 1 (fine) to 10 (run away and hide), how c ..read more

The importance of empathy in teaching I once read about a really cool organisation called Roots of Empathy. A baby of two months old is invited to join a class of children at an Elementary School on a monthly basis throughout the school year. They come in with a parent and a specialist instructor who facilitates the session, allowing the children to forge a relationship with the baby. The idea is that the students observe and label the baby’s feelings and intentions and, by doing so, better understand their own emotions and those of the others around them. I had my first baby when I was teachi ..read more

As we ride the wave of education’s ever-changing tides, one thing remains crystal clear: feedback for teachers is fundamentally important if we want to make a real impact in the classroom. It allows us to refine our teaching methods and enhance overall learning outcomes. Just as students need to know exactly how they are doing in order to do things better, so do we. But this can be a tricky thing to do well. How do we ensure the feedback we receive is constructive, honest, and fair? How can we successfully tap into the thoughts of our students, their parents, and our colleagues?  In this ..read more

I’ve now taught at three international schools across three different continents. Starting out at each school was a whirlwind of learning for me. In settling into a new job, I had to engage with a new culture, a new language, and a new landscape – as well as the usual things that all teachers meet when starting out at a school: colleagues, students, buildings, (and which mugs in the staffroom are totally off-limits).  I also needed to stay the same: to maintain my own particular approach to teaching, to keep my family living our ‘normal’, and to enjoy the things I’ve always loved. So, I o ..read more

Bletchley Park, the once top-secret home of the WW2 codebreakers in the UK, recently played host to a Global Artificial Intelligence Safety Summit. This event was attended by Rishi Sunak, Elon Musk, Kamala Harris, King Charles II, Georgia Meloni, Ursula Von De Leyen and Wu Zhaohui, the Chinese Vice-Minister of Science and Technology. It’s safe to say that the entire world is concerned about the future of AI, and the impact it might have on our lives. In this post, we discuss the role of AI in education as it is understood by IB Principal Tassos Anastasiades. The twenty-eight countries at the ..read more

This month we are lucky enough to have a guest post by Simon Johnstone, the Assistant Director of Boarding at Dulwich High School Suzhou, in which he tells us about his move to China and a new position of leadership. Moving to a new school is like starting a new chapter in a book. It’s exciting, a little nerve-wracking, and filled with the promise of new adventures. But what if this chapter involves moving to a new country, taking up a senior leadership role, and immersing yourself in boarding life, all while juggling the responsibilities of a family? That’s exactly the thrilling transition m ..read more