Episode 16: The Evolution of Literacy: Supporting Teachers Through Transitions
Release Date: 12/17/2024
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?
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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_outlineA 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 down with Erin Kent, the visionary founder of Erin Kent Consulting. With a rich background in international education, Erin's insights span from her time with Teach for America to leading a global consulting group dedicated to educational excellence. This discussion dives deep into the transformative shifts occurring in literacy instruction and the broader educational landscape, particularly within international schools.
Key Highlights:
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The International School Advantage: Erin emphasizes the unique freedoms international schools possess, enabling them to craft tailored missions and curricula that closely reflect the needs of their diverse communities. This flexibility presents exciting opportunities for innovation in educational practices.
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Literacy in a Post-Pandemic World: The conversation explores the pressing need for data-driven decision-making in literacy instruction. Erin discusses how educators are now focusing on foundational skills, scaffolding complex texts, and implementing more effective assessment methods to enhance student learning outcomes.
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Leadership's Crucial Role: Effective leadership is fundamental during times of educational change. Erin highlights the necessity for school leaders to engage in professional learning actively. Their presence and support are vital for driving successful transformations within their institutions.
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Valuing Multilingualism: As linguistic diversity becomes increasingly recognized as a valuable asset in international schools, Erin advocates for an asset-based approach to bilingual and multilingual learners. This perspective enriches the educational experience and fosters a more inclusive environment.
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Personalized Learning Strategies: This episode also touches on the growing emphasis on equitable access to personalized learning paths. Erin underscores the significance of accommodating diverse learner needs to foster a more inclusive educational landscape.
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Strategic Change Management: Successful innovation in education requires thoughtful implementation. Erin provides insights on how schools can support teachers through transitions by ensuring they have adequate time, resources, training, and support.
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Embracing Continuous Learning: Throughout her journey, Erin emphasizes the importance of adaptability and a growth mindset, encouraging educators to embrace challenges and pursue continuous learning as they navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education.
Join us for this inspiring conversation with Erin Kent as she shares her wealth of knowledge on the future of international education, leadership, and literacy. Whether you're an educator, school leader, or simply interested in educational innovation, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance your understanding of the current educational climate.
Bio
Erin Kent is the founder of EKC (Erin Kent Consulting), a global literacy consulting group dedicated to serving international schools. Erin leads a team of over 50 literacy experts who partner with hundreds of international school communities worldwide, providing customized support in reading and writing instruction across 7 languages. Everything EKC offers—onsite and online consulting, an evolving subscription service, regional conferences, and bespoke text sets—is thoughtfully designed with international schools in mind. Before founding EKC, Erin taught in urban, independent, and international schools, eventually becoming a literacy coach and PK-12 Director of Teaching and Learning in Shanghai.
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