Episode 16: The Evolution of Literacy: Supporting Teachers Through Transitions
Release Date: 12/17/2024
Episode 32: Sanctuaries for Thinking: Human Formation and the Future of Education
WHERE'S YOUR HEAD AT?
Episode Summary: In this episode of Where's Your Head At?, hosts Richard Henry and James Macdonald speak with researcher, author, and speaker Dr. Simon Breakspear about translating complex educational literature into actionable, real-world tools for school leaders. The discussion covers the necessity of subtractive change—or "pruning"—in additive school environments, efficient monitoring processes, and how mid-level leaders drive classroom progress. Additionally, Dr. Breakspear shares his perspectives on balancing technology and AI with core human formation, navigating changing social...
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Episode 31: The Early Years Advantage: What School Leaders are Missing
WHERE'S YOUR HEAD AT?
A Quick Summary: In this episode, hosts Richard Henry, James Dalziel, and James MacDonald sit down with the highly experienced early years specialist and safeguarding leader, Kate Beith. Together, they explore the current landscapes and future horizons of schooling, diving into what educators are getting right, where the system is still struggling, and how leadership must evolve. From personal "who luck" moments to actionable advice for school leaders, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone passionate about conversations today about early years education tomorrow. Bio: Kate is a...
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Episode 30: Navigating Parent Partnerships
WHERE'S YOUR HEAD AT?
A Quick Summary: In this episode of "Where's Your Head At?", the hosts delve into the complexities of parent-school relationships within the international education context. They discuss strategies for managing challenging interactions with parents, emphasizing the importance of communication, understanding, and professionalism. We hope you enjoy this episode of WYHA, voted the number 7 international education podcast according to Feedspot. Key Topics Discussed: The emotional dynamics involved when parents express concerns about their children’s education. The distinction between...
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Episode 29: Education for Being, Not Just Becoming.
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A Quick Summary: The hosts of "Where's Your Head At?" engage in a deep and philosophical conversation with Stuart MacAlpine, an experienced international educator and consultant. The discussion moves quickly from Stuart's diverse background, including his time at the Lego Foundation and Green School New Zealand, to profound questions about the current state and future of international education. Stuart challenges the traditional definitions of "international" schools and explores post-humanist ideas, suggesting a shift from a focus on "becoming" to a focus on "being" and "staying with the...
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Episode 28: Education as a Lifeline: The High School for Refugee Youth
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A Quick Summary: In this episode, hosts Richard Henry, James Dalziel, and James McDonald speak with Polly Akhurst, the co-founder and co-executive director of Amala Education. Polly shares her journey from attending United World College Atlantic to launching a social innovation organization that has transformed the lives of over 7,000 refugee youth. The conversation explores the necessity of alternative education models, the development of the first-ever accredited high school diploma for refugees, and the future of global education. Bio: Polly Akhurst is the Co-founder and Co-Executive...
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Episode 27: The Future of Independent Schools: Business Strategy Meets Educational Mission
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A Quick Summary: In this engaging conversation, Peter shares his transformative journey from struggling middle school student to independent school leadership expert. He discusses the critical business challenges facing independent schools in the United States, the widening financial gap between revenue and operational costs, and why traditional leadership training hasn't prepared heads of school for the entrepreneurial demands of their roles. Bio: Peter has spent the past 20+ years serving independent schools, including five years as the Chief Member Relations Officer at the Enrollment...
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Episode 26: Wisdom: The Construct AI Cannot Touch
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A Quick Summary: Nicholas Alchin is a passionate educator who has worked in holistic, values-driven schools since 1995. He currently oversees strategy, education, and operations for approximately 6,000 students at UWCSEA. In this episode, Nick shares his extensive background in education—including teaching the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course and his previous varied careers. Nick offers his philosophical views on the state of international schooling. He discusses the importance of human qualities and broad skills in student development, the ongoing struggle with achievement pressure and...
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Episode 25: The Power of Reflection: Celebrating 25 Episodes of Where’s Your Head At
WHERE'S YOUR HEAD AT?
A Quick Summary: Welcome to a special milestone episode of "Where’s Your Head at – The International Education Podcast." In this 25th episode, hosts Richard Henry, James Dalziel, and James McDonald turn the spotlight on themselves, reflecting on the journey so far and the most impactful moments from their conversations with educational leaders and trailblazers around the world. In this episode: The hosts revisit standout guests and episodes, including insights from Bambi Betts on the barriers to change in international schools, Jane Larson’s powerful communication, and Fidelis Ntenge’s...
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Episode 24: From Classroom to Boardroom: The Changing Face of School Leadership
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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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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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