The International Schools Podcast

Join us for this conversation on the vital issue of Online Child Protection, spotlighting the leadership and efforts of key figures from the Council of International Schools (CIS). Jane Larson, Executive Director of CIS, alongside Dan Furness, Head of Safeguarding and Wellbeing at CIS, are at the forefront of this work, shaping policies and providing guidance to international schools. We also hear from Leila Holmyard, Global Safeguarding Consultant, researcher and current Safeguarding Lead at Frankfurt International School, who shares practical insights from her PhD research and experience. Together, they address the current challenges in safeguarding children online, tips for prevention and response, and how school leaders can create safer digital environments within their communities. About Jane Larsson Executive Director, CIS Jane Larsson has led the Council of International Schools (CIS) as Executive Director since her appointment in 2010. Over the past 25 years, Jane has led the international education community with a focus on the development of collaborative partnerships to enable and support educational exchange and the development of international and intercultural perspective. Prior to her appointment at CIS, Jane was Direc­tor of International Partnerships with the Visiting International Faculty Program (VIF) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she led outreach to promote international educational exchange, establishing relationships with minis­tries of education, universities, internation­al schools and educational associations.  She began her career in international education as the Director of Educational Staffing and Publications for International Schools Services (ISS) providing recruitment services and resources to international schools. Jane lends her voice to key topics shaping the future of international education, those which enable school and university communities to provide socially responsible leadership as they continually develop their programs. She currently serves as Chair of the International Taskforce on Child Protection and on the Board of Directors of the International Commission Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA). LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelarssoncis/  About Leila Holmyard Safeguarding Lead, Frankfurt International School Leila Holmyard has extensive professional experience in safeguarding and child protection in international schools. She is a safeguarding consultant for a number of international schools and organisations, including the United World Colleges, Council of International Schools and Faria Education Group, as well as being Safeguarding Lead at Frankfurt International School. Leila has worked with international schools across the world and conducted her PhD research on safeguarding in international schools in Europe, Asia and Africa. She is also a volunteer for the International Task Force on Child Protection, WomenEd Germany, and the ISS Diversity Collaborative.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-holmyard-04767995/    About Dan Furness Head of Safeguarding and Well-being, CIS Dan Furness joined CIS in September 2023. Dan’s primary responsibility as Head of Safeguarding and Well-being is to support the CIS membership community as it identifies and addresses child protection and student well-being challenges. This includes designing and delivering professional learning opportunities such as the Foundation and Deep Dive workshops in Child Protection and Safeguarding. Dan is available to support schools to strengthen their culture and systems, developing resources to educate and promote effective practices, and providing thought leadership and partnership across the international education sector. Prior to joining CIS, Dan worked in international schools in South Africa, South Korea, Germany and the Netherlands leading boarding, student support and safeguarding. Dan has also worked as an independent consultant in safeguarding and has a history of supporting staff professional development over a range of safeguarding-related areas including the following: child protection and safeguarding; safer handling and restraint; restorative justice and shared concern; response to intervention (a tiered approach to school support); and inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism. He has also provided supervision for other DSLs and school counsellors. Dan is a qualified counsellor and social worker, with an undergraduate degree and masters in social work from the University of Bath, and a second masters in educational leadership and management from the University of Buckingham. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-furness/?originalSubdomain=nl   Resources

• https://www.cois.org/about-cis/child-protection/resources
• https://www.icmec.org/icmec-resources/
• https://www.cois.org/about-cis/child-protection/resources
• https://www.childnet.com/help-and-advice/sextortion/
• https://www.childnet.com/safer-internet-day/
• https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/ 
• https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/online-reporting/report-remove/ 
• Generative AI: A whole school approach to safeguarding children

John Mikton on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton Web: beyonddigital.org Dan Taylor on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents  Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt  Web: www.appsedu.com  Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

A conversation with Merve from Common Sense Education sharing the important work they do in education, helping parents, schools, and educators with digital citizenship. Globally reaching over 90,000 schools and 1.2 million students. We get to learn about the organization’s history, its current focus and insights into the evolving digital landscape. Together we explore the context of international schools and the growing reliance on digital devices for both students and teachers. What are some of the observations, learnings, and strategies to consider and share with schools through the lens of Common Sense Education About Merve Lapus Merve is a Results-driven education strategist with a track record of expanding reach and impact in K12 learning environments. As Vice President of Outreach & Engagement at Common Sense Education, he's led initiatives that have reached over 90,000 schools and supported 1.2 million educators. This includes overseeing a regional team driving community engagement, access, and professional development across school community stakeholders including school adoption, district implementation, parent/family engagement, strategic marketing, and community development.  Merve has over 23 years of experience driving education technology initiatives across school programs, and building educator confidence through professional learning, and strategic implementation. Merve also sits on a number of steering committees addressing school climate and state policy initiatives, and currently sits on the Marketing and Communications Board for the University of San Francisco (USF), The Alameda Health Foundation Board, and the Executive Board for the Children’s Creativity Museum of San Francisco.  Merve Lapus on Social Media Twitter: twitter.com/molapus  Resources https://www.commonsense.org   John Mikton on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton Web: beyonddigital.org Dan Taylor on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents  Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt  Web: www.appsedu.com  Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

We have a unique chance to speak with Kathleen and her digital twin, Katbot. Together, we’ll explore how Katbot was created and what it’s like to have a digital twin, including the lessons learned, challenges faced, and opportunities discovered. As chatbots become more common in our everyday lives, Kathleen and Katbot are the perfect guides to help us understand how humans and AI can work and learn together. What are the implications for educators and school in an international school context. About Kathleen Naglee Kathleen Naglee is an award-winning leader of innovative educational and strategic foresight practices. Author. Keynote and motivational speaker. Experienced International School Director and Board Chair, Former Commissioner for NEASC. Educational consultant. Executive Coach. Diversity & Inclusion Leader. Podcaster. LinkedIn: Kathleen Naglee X: @KNaglee Resources www.unhingedcollaboration.com John Mikton on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton Web: beyonddigital.org Dan Taylor on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents  Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt  Web: www.appsevents.com Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

Carlos shares his experience of walking the Camino de Santiago/Camino Francés footpath. He shares how disconnecting from the world of work, digital devices, social media and working remotely had a significant impact on his own understanding of connectivity and its impact on being in the moment. Together we explore what this means about our own pace and focus in an age of digital tools 24/7. About Carlos Davidovich Carlos has extensive experience supporting the development of leaders and management teams alike on an international scale. Raised and educated in Argentina, Carlos has been living and working between Europe, USA and Canada for over 20 years, where he has become an Executive Coach giving workshops and lectures on Neuromanagement, applying neuroscience in organizations and businesses. Currently, he resides in Madrid working with clients from all sorts of cultures around the world. Originally trained as a medical doctor in Argentina, Carlos draws on this medical background and understanding of the brain to apply Neuromanagement coaching modalities that lead to evident and sustainable change for his clients. Over the course of his early career, for more than 20 years, he has also gained management experience in business executive roles working for multinational pharmaceutical companies in the area of Biotechnology applied to human health. He is a professor of Neuromanagement in the MBA programs at the University of New York in Prague, Czech Republic, and at GEA in Ljubljana, Slovenia; a guest lecturer for the Masters in Leadership program at the Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph, and a thought leader with the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate. Co author of the book : “PersonalityDNA. Discover Your True Personality” Author of the book : “Five Brain Leadership: How Neuroscience Can Help You Master Your Instincts and Build Better Teams”, January 2023.  He is also an international TEDx Speaker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhk JSgrGx0    Education

• Medical Doctor Degree from Argentina 
• Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Clinical Psychopathology Postgraduate Diploma from the University of Barcelona, Spain
• Roche International Managers and Executive Development Course at Laussane Business School
• Psychotherapy and Hypnosis Certification from the
• Erickson Institute in Madrid, Spain
• Tai Chi Trainer : University Las Palmas, Spain

Carlos Davidovich on Social Media Website: www.carlosdavidovich.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosdavidovich/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/ncdavidovich/   Resources Five Brain Leadership: How Neuroscience Can Help You Master Your Instincts and Build Better Teams Carlos Davidovich MD and Jennifer Brunton PhD Page Two Press (Enero 2023) John Mikton on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton Web: beyonddigital.org Dan Taylor on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents  Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt  Web: www.appsedu.com Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

Join us for a conversation with Clara Hawking, Head of Artificial Intelligence at Globeducate and winner of the #Techwomen100 Global Achievement Award 2024 by WeAreTechWomeas. Clara shares her expert insights on how global AI policies, including the EU AI Act, are shaping the future of education. Clara discusses the impact of AI on international schools, the role of women in this space, addressing ethical challenges and the vital role educators play in teaching AI literacy. She provides an update on the EU AI Act and its implications for AI use in classrooms, offering valuable perspectives for school leaders and educators navigating AI integration in their schools. About Clara Hawking Clara Hawking as Head of Artificial Intelligence for Globeducate and winner of the TechWomen100 Awards. A Fellow of the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP) in Washington DC, for the US Government, Clara joined Globeducate in 2023 in a newly created role that sees her playing a pivotal role in executing a strategic plan across all of our schools, overseeing all aspects of AI policies, curricula, programmes, guidance and training related to AI. A prominent figure in the field of EdTech and AI, regularly appearing on panels and leading workshops at international conferences, and holds several Master´s degrees in subjects ranging from Computer Science to Practical Philosophy and Applied Ethics. Clara is also a voluntary Director of ICT and Digitalisation at an educational organisation in Kenya and has an unwavering passion for shaping young minds to become global citizens equipped to tackle the challenges of the future. She is fluent in three languages and has lived and worked in the USA, Denmark, Spain and Sweden. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clara-lin-hawking-ba9123149/    Resources https://www.globeducate.com/  White Paper: The EU AI Act and Its Impact on K-12 Education https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/white-paper-eu-ai-act-its-impact-k-12-education-clara-lin-hawking-xsfpf/  https://www.caidp.org/   https://wearetechwomen.com/tw100-women-in-tech-awards/techwomen100-awards-winners-2024/   John Mikton on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton Web: beyonddigital.org Dan Taylor on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents  Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt  Web: www.appsevents.com Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

Dr. Julia Olayanju is a scientist, educator and advocate for nutrition and health, best known for founding FoodNiche-ED, a platform that collaborates with schools and educators worldwide. Her work focuses on helping teachers promote science, health and nutrition education in K-12 classrooms. In our conversation, we discuss the significance of food science in schools, strategies to engage students on this topic, and the challenges and opportunities in equipping educators and students with a solid understanding of food science and health.  About Dr. Julia Olayanju Dr. Julia Olayanju is a scientist, educator and advocate for nutrition and health, best known for founding FoodNiche-ED, a platform that collaborates with schools and educators worldwide. Her work focuses on helping teachers promote science, health and nutrition education in K-12 classrooms. She earned her PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Rutgers University, New Brunswick and an MPH from Harvard TH Chan School Of Public Health. Dr. Julia Olayanju on Social Media Twitter:  https://twitter.com/juliaolayanju  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaolayanju/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaolayanju/  Resources Listen to top experts on food and health: https://foodniche-ed.com/podcasts John Mikton on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton Web: beyonddigital.org Dan Taylor on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents  Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt  Web: www.appsevents.com Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

Join us for a conversation with Emily, Dennis, and Bryce from Earth Day as we explore the impact of climate change and how international schools can prepare students for the challenges ahead. Our guests will share the key skills, values, and knowledge needed to guide students through these complex issues. How can schools create pathways that help educators and students understand and tackle these challenges? From climate literacy to environmental activism, how can schools balance educating children about the climate crisis with empowering them to become change-makers? This conversation aims to support and inspire international educators in better understanding how to engage with this complex issue. About Emily Walker Emily has a Bachelor's Degree from George Mason University in Anthropology with a minor in Linguistics. She went on to get her Masters in Education from The College of William & Mary.  Emily has had a love for people, places, and education. Her academic background has allowed her to view the field of education with a holistic lens.  Her love for learning & development in K-12 schools, has given her classroom experience teaching a variety of learners. A focus of hers in the classroom is science and literacy. These two subjects together can expand the minds of learners and really allow for understanding of the world on a deeper level. This love for sharing knowledge brought Emily to seek out an opportunity with EARTHDAY.ORG as an education coordinator supporting educators in the diverse educational systems. Providing education and advocacy resources for environmental minded educators.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-walker-professional/   About Dennis Nolasco Dennis is a former English Language Arts teacher from Falls Church, Virginia. He started as a middle school English as a Second Language teacher for 5 years for Fairfax County Public County Schools where he won the George Mason Exemplary Early Educator Award. He then moved to California and taught English Language Arts for Los Angeles Unified School District for two years. He now works on implementing climate education legislation both at the federal and state levels as well as internationally with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. Dennis believes that it is important to incorporate environmental justice into all aspects of climate education. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-nolasco/    About Bryce Coon Bryce joined Earthday.org in July 2023. Before joining Earthday.org, Bryce worked as a high school educator for over ten years and enjoyed finding opportunities to incorporate climate education into all his courses, including economics, psychology, and government. Throughout his teaching career, Bryce participated in international fellowships where he studied climate education and policy in Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Bryce has a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary social sciences from Michigan State University and a master's in curriculum and instruction from the American College of Education. Outside of work, Bryce enjoys traveling and hiking with his dog. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-coon/  Bryce Bio Reel: https://vimeo.com/884546010/843ba71e24  Resources

• THE SCHOOL GUIDE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
•  A Five Step Guide to Addressing Climate Change With Kids Article
• Climate Education Page 
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• Green Jobs and the Green Economy
• The Climate Education vs Climate Crisis Report
• EDUCATION WEEK OP ED
• Article In Forbes

John Mikton on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton Web: beyonddigital.org Dan Taylor on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents  Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt  Web: www.appsevents.com Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

Join us for a conversation with Stacy Stephens, Director of The International Educator (TIE). We'll take this opportunity to explore TIE's rich history, its mission, and how it connects to international schools and educators. We'll discuss how TIE's current focuses and services have evolved over time. With the accelerated changes being experienced by both online and offline newspapers and organizations supporting international schools and educators, what does the future look like for The International Educator and international schools? About Stacy Stephens Stacy is an experienced educator with a rich background spanning over two decades across diverse international schools. With an international career starting in 2001, she has held teaching and leadership roles in Kuwait, Argentina, India, China, and Malaysia. For the past 10 years, Stacy has served as a Director of Teaching and Learning at the American School of New Delhi, the International School of Beijing, and the International School of Kuala Lumpur. She has a master's degree in Educational Leadership and has both extensive training and dedication to facilitative decision-making and effective leadership methodologies. Alongside her work with TIE, Stacy offers consulting services to schools and is specialized in supporting schools to create critical systems to impact student learning. Her recent work is focused on SEL program development, teacher growth and appraisal and strategic planning. Stacy Stephens on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curriculumstace  Resources TIE: www.tieonline.com Vision.Systems.Impact. Collaborative www.vsicollaborative.com  International SEL Framework www.internationalsel.com  John Mikton on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton Web: beyonddigital.org Dan Taylor on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt  Web: www.appsevents.com Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

A conversation  with Keri-Lee creator of the Media Mentor Month and Sandra and Alex co-collaborators share about  #mediamentormonth which  is a global education initiative designed to help parents/teachers develop a supportive relationship with their children/students around digital technologies and media. Together they share their approach, collaboration, designs, why this initiative and the challenges and opportunities educators and families are juggling with students /children's media consumption.   About Keri-Lee Beasley 25 years in education across New Zealand, the UK, Indonesia, Singapore, Switzerland and now Beijing has fueled Keri-Lee’s passion for integrating tech for learning. Currently, she is the HS Learning and Tech Coach at the Western Academy of Beijing. Off-duty, she’s into culinary adventures, fiction, travel, and gardening. As a Mum of teens, she started #MediaMentorMonth to help families navigate tech positively. Twitter: https://twitter.com/klbeasley  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klbeasley/  About Sandra Chow Sandra Chow has taught in public and international schools in Toronto, Taiwan, and Beijing. She is currently the Director of Digital & Innovative Learning at Keystone Academy, Beijing. She brings over 20 years of global education experience. With a diverse professional background as a professional accountant, educational consultant, and cross-cultural educator, she offers a unique perspective to her leadership role. She enjoys meaningful connections and community, and is passionate about empowering students and educators to thrive in a globally diverse society. Twitter: https://twitter.com/watnunu  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-chow/  About Alex McMillan Alex McMillan is a High School Tech Coach at Shanghai American School, Puxi, with over a decade of experience in education and a background in commercial photography/advertising. Co-author of “Designing for Understanding” and “Saigon Artbook”, Alex loves to integrate design and technology to enhance teaching and learning. His interests include digital music, Generative AI, photography, drones, and volcano hunting. Having lived in Asia for 17 years, Alex is now expanding his role as an educational consultant, helping schools develop guidance around Generative AI. He frequently speaks at conferences like 21st Century Learning HK, ISTE, and Vietnam Tech Conference. Twitter: https://x.com/MrAlexEdTech   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-mcmillan-58b576154/  Resources https://klbeasley.wordpress.com/  Media Mentor Month https://klbeasley.wordpress.com/2024/02/29/media-mentor-month-24/  Common Sense Media: Age-Based Media Reviews for Families | Common Sense Media What Kind of Digital Parent Are You? | SafeSpace Parents & carers | Childnet Welcome to MediaSmarts | MediaSmarts https://alexmcmillan.co/  https://genaiforschools.com/  https://sites.google.com/view/future-ready-collaborative/  John Mikton on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton Web: beyonddigital.org Dan Taylor on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents  Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt  Web: www.appsevents.com Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial