Education Leaders | Strategic School Leadership

I chat with Rob Coe, a leading figure in evidence-based education. We delve into the complexities and paradoxes surrounding instructional coaching, a topic that has gained significant attention in educational circles. The conversation explores the tension between research and real-world application, between fidelity and adaptation, the importance of time allocation in professional development, and the need for adaptive expertise among teachers and leaders.Key Quotes“Adaptation is not a bug, it’s a feature.” -Rob Coe"Time is really, really important. Time is a barrier, but I am just incredibly intolerant of that as an excuse." - Rob Coe"If you're a leader of an organisation, your responsibility is to develop strategy... So if there isn't enough time to do something, that's because you've chosen to do other things." - Rob Coe"Professional learning is the most powerful thing you can do to improve students' learning... professional learning is the biggest lever you've got." - Rob Coe"Are we, as leaders, merely reacting to the immediate needs of our institutions, or are we proactively carving out time for what truly matters?" - Shane LeaningResources MentionedEvidence-Based-Education (EBE)Why are we holding out for more professional development time (even though school leaders say they can’t manage it)?Why aren’t we doing ‘instructional coaching’ (even though everyone else seems to be)?Why do we see teacher expertise as needing knowledge, skill and judgement (even though most people seem to focus on just one of these)?Why are we betting on giving teachers more effective feedback (even though no one else is really doing this)?Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on Twitter, LinkedIN and Instagram: @leaningshane. My website is shaneleaning.com. Subscribe to my newsletter here.About the hostShane Leaning is a passionate leadership development enthusiast with over 11 years of international teaching and leadership experience. His approach to coaching and professional development is all about approachability and attentiveness to the unique strengths and contexts of schools and educators. Shane believes that empowerment fosters growth and success for both educators and students alike.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crafting a clear personal mission and vision is crucial for leaders in international schools. The podcast explores the difference between mission and vision, and provides a powerful visualization exercise to connect with your future self. It also emphasizes the importance of taking action on your guiding principles and incorporating them into your daily narrative.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jack George, an innovative educator and leader in the field of education technology. We dive into the fascinating world of School 3.0, where blockchain technology, AI, and character education intersect. Jack shares Aiglon College’s journey towards creating a new system of badging, using Merits and Demerits as a form of currency. We explore the potential of NFTs and blockchain for student data ownership, as well as the importance of resilience in education. From the future of schools to the role of AI in education, this conversation is a thought-provoking exploration of the changing landscape of learning.Episode Outline:- Introduction to Jack George and his role in leading innovation in education technology.- School 3.0: Exploring the use of Merits and Demerits as a form of badging and currency within the school.- The potential of blockchain technology and NFTs for student data ownership and validation of credentials.- The role of character education and the celebration of soft skills in the future of education.- The importance of resilience as an ongoing skill and the use of skills wheels to track soft skill development.- Exploring Aiglon College's forward-thinking approach to reimagining education.- The launch of a new AI project and the potential of artificial general intelligence (AGI) in education.- The need to reimagine education and find the balance between technology and human connection.- Collaboration with other schools and think tanks to roll out the School 3.0 framework.- The responsibility of educators to drive positive change in education.Key Quotes:- "We're looking at how these things intersect and looking for ways to incentivize good behaviour and character traits, and demerits for weakening or negative character traits." [Timestamp: 00:04:25]- "The ultimate aim is that students would own their credentials and achievements for life, beyond school." [Timestamp: 00:14:30]- "AI can augment teachers, make them more efficient, amplify their impact, but it can't teach students how to be good, kind, world-changing humans." [Timestamp: 00:19:05]- "What if we could genuinely prove personhood online and protect our children from bots?" [Timestamp: 00:38:40]- "Education is at a crossroads. We need to reimagine education because when AGI comes, our whole lives will change. All that we think we know will have to be questioned and reevaluated.." [Timestamp: 00:49:15]Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on Twitter, LinkedIN and Instagram: @leaningshane. My website is shaneleaning.com. For international school leadership tips, subscribe to my newsletter here.About the hostShane Leaning is a passionate organisational development coach with over 11 years of international teaching and leadership experience. His approach to coaching and professional development is about approachability and attentiveness to the unique strengths and contexts of schools and educators.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I had the privilege of continuing my conversation with Dan Fitzpatrick, an expert in AI in education. As leaders in education, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve and preparing our students for the future. Dan shares valuable insights on how we can embrace innovation, strategically plan for the future, and navigate the disruptive forces of technology, specifically AI.In this episode, Dan emphasizes the need for leaders to take action and not wait for the future to unfold on its own. He introduces the concept of the three boxes, where Box One represents the current education system, and Box Three focuses on future innovations that have the potential to disrupt the current system. While Box One innovation aims to optimize the current system, Dan highlights the importance of nonlinear innovation in Box Three, which involves research, experimentation, and scaling of new ideas. He shares a seven-step strategy for easing into innovation and emphasizes the value of collaboration in the AI era.Throughout the episode, Dan Fitzpatrick provides valuable insights and practical advice for leaders in education. Here are some key quotes from our conversation:1. "Leaders should not wait too long to embrace innovation. It's about finding that balance between optimizing the current system and exploring future innovations."2. "The education system needs to embrace nonlinear innovation in Box Three to stay relevant and prepare students for the future."3. "Collaboration with different sectors is key in the AI era. We must work together to leverage the potential benefits of technology in education."4. "The AI Classroom, my book, offers frameworks, models, and prompts for educators to effectively communicate with AI and integrate it into their lesson planning."5. "Taking action and implementing nonlinear innovation is crucial to prepare students for the ambiguous future they will face."Resources mentioned- "The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence and Education" by Dan Fitzpatrick- AI Educator Facebook group- Aieducator Tools- The three-hour course on using AI technology for teachers on theaeducator.ioThank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on Twitter, LinkedIN and Instagram: @leaningshane. My website is shaneleaning.com.For international school leadership tips, subscribe to my newsletter here.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this first of a two-part episode, I explore the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in education with Dan Fitzpatrick, an award-winning author and Edtech strategist. As private enterprises' role in schools continues to grow, there is a prediction that it will disrupt the status quo.We delve into the current state of AI in education and the challenges faced by schools in implementing AI. Dan provides valuable insights into understanding the AI revolution and shares practical strategies for leaders.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how AI is transforming the education landscape.Overview- Introduction of Dan FitzPatrick, an expert on AI in education (00:00:00)- The current stage of AI adoption in schools (00:01:06)- Challenges faced by schools in implementing AI (00:03:16)- The need for schools to filter through AI tools and platforms (00:04:36)- Different positions of schools in relation to AI adoption (00:06:28)- Understanding the varying levels of staff familiarity with AI (00:06:59)- The challenge of delivering AI training and keynotes (00:07:51)- Strategies for school leaders to initiate AI integration (00:08:38)Key Quotes- "We're at a really interesting point in terms of the AI journey for a lot of schools at the moment...a few months into people becoming aware of generative AI." - Dan FitzPatrick (00:01:06)- "A lot of schools are under pressure...so to actually entertain something innovative and new...is just not possible for a lot of schools." - Dan FitzPatrick (00:03:56)- "Schools and teachers have got really good BS filters...they can really filter through what doesn't work and what works." - Dan FitzPatrick (00:05:55)- "You got to try and start at the beginning, but then also give everybody some value in the room, of course." - Dan FitzPatrick (00:07:36)- "School leaders can strategize by thinking about how AI can align with their broader goals and vision for the school." - Shane Leaning (00:09:16)In the next episode of Global Ed Leaders, Dan Fitzpatrick will offer practical strategies for school leaders to effectively navigate the AI revolution and leverage AI tools and platforms for improved educational outcomes.You can learn more about Dan’s work at https://theaieducator.io/Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on Twitter, LinkedIN and Instagram: @leaningshane. My website is shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning is a passionate leadership development enthusiast with over 11 years of international teaching and leadership experience. His approach to coaching and professional development is all about approachability and attentiveness to the unique strengths and contexts of schools and educators. Shane believes that empowerment fosters growth and success for both educators and students alike.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I'm tackling a topic that's a familiar to all leaders in the world of international education: teacher turnover. As school leaders, we often find ourselves at the crossroads of staff transitions, balancing both professional requirements and parental expectations. Whether you're leading a school in Shanghai, Doha, or New York, this episode provides actionable insights on how to navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of teacher turnover without capsizing the ship of trust you've built with parents.Key Quotes"Don't hide it. If there's a change in staff, notify the parents as soon as possible.""We can embrace individual teaching styles, but we can maintain that continuity through our curriculum and the educational philosophy that guides the teaching practice.""Sometimes it actually means picking up the phone or inviting the parent in and having a one-to-one conversation.""It's all about creating a community where turnover is not seen as a disruption, but as a natural and often enriching part of the international school experience."Whether you're grappling with unexpected staff changes or strategizing for the annual shuffle, these insights will guide you in sustaining a strong relationship with your parent community.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on Twitter, LinkedIN and Instagram: @leaningshane. My website is shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning is a passionate leadership development enthusiast with over 11 years of international teaching and leadership experience. His approach to coaching and professional development is all about approachability and attentiveness to the unique strengths and contexts of schools and educators. Shane believes that empowerment fosters growth and success for both educators and students alike.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interview Dr. Kathy Weston about how to build strong parent partnerships to support student achievement. We discuss evidence-based strategies to increase parental engagement, empower families, and cultivate collaborative relationships between parents and schools.Topics covered include:- The importance of parent involvement for international school student outcomes- Practical tips to boost parental self-efficacy and confidence in supporting learning- Aligning home and school environments through clear communication and vision sharing- Using research evidence to inform parent engagement initiatives and school programs- Creating a test-and-learn approach to find what works for your parent community- Setting the tone and building trust through authentic conversations with families- Resources for international school leaders to equip staff and parents with the latest knowledgeThis episode provides reflection questions and actionable ideas for international school heads, principals, and leadership teams aiming to optimize parent partnerships and increase student success. It’s a useful leadership coaching episode for international school heads and principalsKey Quotes:"We know from the literature on parental engagement, which is quite established and substantial, that parents are a significant influence over their children's lives. And we need to remember that.""If we can help boost and develop parental self-efficacy, it's a game changer. So we need to help parents have more confidence in their own skills to support and help their child.""Ideally, they would understand … the evidence that's very, very strong as a basis for reading. The school would share particular points about the evidence base around particular initiatives. Why are we doing this? How can you help at home?""I've never even as a parent thought I'm sending my child into school and I'm hoping they're going to transform them. I think what have I done to support the school? What can I do?""we know that it can be quite difficult for academics and researchers to disseminate their work. So we see ourselves as a conduit."You can learn more about Tooled Up Education on their website: tooledupeducation.comIf you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on Twitter, LinkedIN and Instagram: @leaningshane. My website is shaneleaning.com.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m delving into a critical aspect of education: goal setting. As we begin the school year, the need to set professional and developmental goals is at the forefront of educators' minds. While SMART targets (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) have been the go-to method, I explore why this might not be the best approach.I discuss the challenges of using SMART goals and introduce a promising alternative: PEERS framework (Powerful, Easy, Emotionally Compelling, Reachable, Student Focused). With its student-centric focus, practicality, and emotional resonance, PEERS aligns with what education should prioritize.Join me in exploring this new approach to goal setting that may better resonate with teachers, leaders, and most importantly, benefit our students.Key Quotes"SMART is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound. It's one of the most popular acronyms for setting targets. And it's pretty good... but some argue that something is really missing and problematic with these goals.""One of the big areas that's leveled against smart targets is they're not connected to any sense of emotional connection. You're not necessarily having to be emotionally invested in the target.""PEERS goals start with a really strong focus on making a real difference on students' lives... powerful, easy, emotionally compelling, reachable, and student-focused.""By connecting to our emotions, the peers goal really drive our motivation and sustained effort in a way that the more analytical smart goals might not.""Take a moment to step back as a leader and reflect on those goal-setting procedures in your school... is your goal setting procedure helping teachers and staff to set emotionally compelling goals?"If you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on Twitter, LinkedIN and Instagram: @leaningshaneAdditional LinksLink to the study mentioned in the episodeWhether you're a teacher, a school leader, or simply passionate about education, this episode offers a fresh perspective that may change the way you view goal setting. My exploration of PEERS goals is essential listening for those who wish to align their objectives with the true mission of education. Feel free to reach out to me on social media platforms to share your thoughts or ask any questions.Keywords: Goal Setting, SMART Goals, PEERS Goals, Education, School Leaders, Teaching, Professional Development, Student Focus, Intrinsic Motivation, International School Leader, Global Ed Leaders Podcast.Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I speak with Thomas Thompson, co-founder of Eduaide.ai, about the responsible integration of AI in education. We explore whether AI could make teachers obsolete, as well as AI's potential to enhance teaching and learning.Key Topics DiscussedHow Eduaide empowers teachers to become stronger instructional designersExamples of using AI ethically to supplement teaching, not replace teachersThe importance of developing proactive policies around classroom AI useCommon pitfalls to avoid when implementing education technologyPrinciples for leveraging AI to boost human flourishing in schoolsWrestling with existential questions posed by advances in AIKey Quotes"What AI does is it exposes teachers to techniques they may not have previously considered.""AI is not a panacea. It's not gonna solve all of our problems.""Skepticism is good. But you cannot allow skepticism to be paralysis.""If you prohibit something, students will find ways around it.""The goal is to create a collaborative human-AI model.""AI can provide personalized and differentiated resources.""AI is not the end of the world. Use it to support your mission."If you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on Twitter, LinkedIN and Instagram: @leaningshaneJoin Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the significance of humility in leadership roles, debunking myths about its compatibility with assertiveness. Learn practical strategies like seeking feedback, admitting mistakes, and embracing diversity. Discover how humility can bridge cultural gaps, enhance school practices, and foster inclusive atmospheres in international schools.