Episode 24: From Classroom to Boardroom: The Changing Face of School Leadership
WHERE'S YOUR HEAD AT?
A Quick Summary: This episode dives into the evolving role of international school heads, following up on previous research from Dr. Alan Morrison about the tenure and competencies of school leaders. The hosts reflect on board-head relationships, business and operational skills, and the unique challenges of leadership in international schools. Through comparing job descriptions and sharing stories, they highlight what it takes to thrive as a head of school—including bridging the gap between educational and business leadership, fostering trust, and navigating complex community dynamics. We...
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Episode 23: What factors affect the tenure of school leaders?
WHERE'S YOUR HEAD AT?
A Quick Summary: This episode of “Where’s Your Head At?” features Dr. Allan Morrison, an experienced educator and researcher, discussing his extensive research on the tenure and challenges of international school heads. We explore Dr. Morrison’s career path, including his teaching and leadership experiences in various countries. Dr. Morrison shares highlights from his doctoral research, revealing that the average tenure of international school heads is gradually increasing, with factors such as school type (not-for-profit vs. for-profit), location, board governance, and personal...
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Episode 22: Let's Talk About Succession - Not the Netflix Show
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A Quick Summary In this episode of 'Where's Your Head at the International Education Podcast,' hosts Richard Henry, James Dalziel, and James McDonald explore the complexities of succession planning in international education. They discuss the significance of strategic succession to ensure the continuity of a school’s mission and vision amid rapid changes. The conversation highlights the importance of preparing internal candidates through professional development and the role of AI in modernizing education while emphasizing the ever-important human connection. They also touch on the...
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Episode 21: What We Thought We Knew and What We've Learned
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“Leadership styles, strategic insights and operational challenges.” A Quick Summary In this episode of the 'Where's Your Head At' podcast, hosts Richard Henry, James Dalziel, and James McDonald discuss key leadership insights in the field of international education. They discuss the importance of people and relationships, the unpredictability of change, and the balance between operational effectiveness and strategic innovation. The conversation also touches on personal experiences, such as dealing with significant natural disasters, and the challenges of transitioning roles within...
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Episode 20: Making Schools More Relational
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“Compliance-based approaches in education have not worked so we need a more relational focus.” A Quick Summary In this episode of 'Where's Your Head at?', hosts Richard Henry, James Dalziel, and James McDonald engage in a thought-provoking conversation with educational consultant, Sue Chandler. With over 30 years of experience, Sue discusses her pivotal career moments and the importance of integrating wellbeing into school systems. The discussion explores the challenges and benefits of moving from compliance-based approaches to a more relational focus in education, addressing both...
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Episode 19: One Big Question, What is Worth Learning? Education must co-evolve with AI.
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“AI in traditional classroom settings won't transform education unless schools fundamentally change.” A Quick Summary This episode of the podcast 'Where's Your Head At?' featured a conversation with Dr. Yong Zhao, a distinguished professor in education. The hosts Richard Henry, James Dalziel, and James McDonald engaged in an insightful discussion about the future of international education and AI's role in transforming education. Dr. Zhao shared his unique educational journey, describing how he entered education because he was 'bad at farming' during China's Cultural Revolution. He...
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Episode 18: The Mental Health Crisis in Schools: A Call for Change
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A Quick Summary In this podcast episode of "Where's Your Head At", Dr. Ellen Heyting, an experienced educator and researcher from Melbourne Metrics, discusses the critical challenges in international education, focusing on the need to transform assessment systems and prioritize student agency. She argues that current high-stakes examination models are restrictive, causing mental health issues and limiting students' potential, and advocates for a more holistic approach that recognizes broader competencies and empowers students as producers of their own learning. Currently, Ellen is spearheading...
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Episode 17: Navigating International Education: Insights from Adelaide to Ulaanbaatar
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A Quick Summary In this episode of "Where's Your Head At" podcast, Deidre Fischer, an experienced educational leader and consultant, shares her profound insights into international education. The conversation explores her remarkable career journey, from a typing teacher to an international school leader and executive coach, while discussing critical challenges and opportunities in modern education. Deidre emphasizes the importance of preparing students for life beyond school, focusing on holistic learning, skills development, and challenging traditional metrics of success. We hope you...
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Episode 16: The Evolution of Literacy: Supporting Teachers Through Transitions
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A Quick Summary In this episode of the "Where's Your Head At" podcast, Erin Kent, founder of Erin Kent Consulting, shares her extensive experience in international education and literacy consulting. With a background spanning from Teach for America to leading a global consulting group, Erin discusses the evolving landscape of international education, particularly focusing on literacy instruction, the unique opportunities in international schools, and the critical role of leadership in driving educational innovation. In this enlightening episode of the "Where's Your Head At" podcast, hosts sit...
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Episode 15: Exploring the Landscape of International Education
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"my hope is that we will actually use the learning sciences, neuropsychology, cognitive science and psychology in service of this thing called schooling" A Quick Summary In this episode of Where's Your Head At, hosts Richard Henry, James Dalziel and James McDonald dive deep into the world of international education with the esteemed Bambi Betts. With over three decades of experience, Bambi has dedicated her career to fostering leadership and professional development within international schools. As the founder of the Principals' Training Center, she has influenced countless educators...
info_outlineNick Kendell
“Everything else will be successful in a school if you can get the climate and culture right”.
A Quick Summary
What is happening in international teacher recruitment today? The “Where’s Your Head At” hosts are joined by Nick Kendell, an experienced international educator who has worked in teacher recruitment for many years. In this show, we hear tips from Nick for improving your chances of getting your next job as well as his thoughts on education in the future.
Show notes
In this episode…
What is Nick doing now? (2.57)
What is happening in international teacher recruitment today? (6.44)
Diversity in international schools (8.55)
Who was Nick lucky to work with? (9.22)
What are leaders in schools getting right today in recruitment? (10.45)
Was there anything Nick would have changed in his past? (14.30)
What beliefs should educators/leaders let go? (16.08)
Nick’s opinion on what schools are getting “right” (17.40)
What will school’s look like in 20 years from now? (20.30)
Planning for recruitment at non-traditional schools (22.50)
How do you move up the ladder? (25.30)
Should I do an advanced degree? (27.25)
How to contact Nick (29.20)
Bio
Nick Kendell is the Senior Associate for Australia and New Zealand in the recruiting organisation Search Associates. Nick started his international teaching career in 1995, and has since worked across 3 different continents. He began at the Hong Kong International School and then moved back to Australia to take up a Deputy Principal role at Scotch Oakburn College in Launceston, Tasmania. After 4.5 years in this role, Nick moved to Cairo in 2008 to become the Head of Primary at the New Cairo British International School. He completed his time in Cairo, and returned to Australia in July 2011.
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