Education Leaders

I take a critical look at the growing popularity of infographics and one-pagers in education. While I acknowledge their aesthetic appeal and potential as conversation starters, as exemplified by the brilliant work of Jamie Clark and the WalkThrus guides, I argue that an overreliance on these simplified visual guides may be holding educators back from deeper understanding and effective implementation. I believe we need to think critically about how we use these tools to ensure they don't become a substitute for nuanced discussions and context-specific adaptations. Key takeawaysThe Nuance Problem: Infographics, by nature, can't capture the full complexity and nuance of educational ideas and practices, potentially leading to oversimplification and misunderstanding.Context Matters: Educators must adapt and contextualize infographics to their unique school settings, considering cultural, social, and institutional factors that can't be represented in a one-size-fits-all visual.The Implementation Gap: Infographics alone can't bridge the gap between theory and practice. Effective professional development requires a range of mechanisms beyond just attractive visuals.Thinking Critically: To avoid "lethal mutations" of educational ideas, educators must approach infographics with a critical eye, using them as departure points for deeper discussion and understanding rather than as comprehensive solutions. Throughout the episode, I provide practical tips for using infographics effectively in professional development, such as fostering critical discussions, adapting to school context, planning for implementation challenges, and integrating reflective practice. Whether you're a fan of infographics or sceptical of their value, this episode will challenge you to rethink the role of simplified visual guides in education and offer strategies for going beyond the surface level to achieve meaningful change in your school. This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Learn more here. Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com. About the hostAs an Organisational Coach for international schools, Shane Leaning help leaders drive meaningful change from the inside out. Through tailored coaching and strategic models, he helps schools transform not just leadership skills but their entire organisation. Whether it's through The International School Leadership Academy, the Global Ed Leaders Podcast, or one-on-one coaching, Shane provide the tools and community you need to make a sustainable impact in your school.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.

If you're an international school leader grappling with teacher retention or looking to empower your staff, this episode is a must-listen. I dive deep into the complexities of transitioning experienced educators into new roles and schools, alongside Sarah Kupke—a leader in professional learning and development at ECIS. We dive into strategies for mentoring, professional growth, and nurturing a positive school culture that values every teacher’s strengths at any career stage.LinksECISSarah Kupke on LinkedIn This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Learn more here. Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com. About the hostAs an Organisational Coach for international schools, Shane Leaning help leaders drive meaningful change from the inside out. Through tailored coaching and strategic models, he helps schools transform not just leadership skills but their entire organisation. Whether it's through The International School Leadership Academy, the Global Ed Leaders Podcast, or one-on-one coaching, Shane provide the tools and community you need to make a sustainable impact in your school.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.

Are you struggling to decide whether school leaders should also spend time teaching? This episode is for you! I dive deep into the age-old argument of whether school leaders should step into the classroom. I explore both sides of the argument, sharing reasons why leaders might benefit from teaching and equally compelling reasons why they might not. With anecdotes,insights, and a bit of advice advice, this episode is set to offer international school leaders a nuanced perspective on this controversial debate.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Learn more here.About the hostAs an Organisational Coach for international schools, Shane Leaning help leaders drive meaningful change from the inside out. Through tailored coaching and professional learning, he helps schools transform not just leadership skills but their entire organisation. Whether it's through The International School Leadership Academy, the Global Ed Leaders Podcast, or one-on-one coaching, Shane provides the tools you need to create sustainable impact in your school.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.

Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld discusses the power of collaboration in education, stressing the importance of diverse perspectives and challenging biases. She highlights the significance of teamwork not just among teachers but also with paraprofessionals, coaches, administrators, and families for meaningful engagement and promoting cultural inclusivity.

Have you ever been caught in the crossfire of a staff room venting session? As leaders, it's a delicate tightrope to walk—balancing empathy with professionalism. This week, I break down the "C.A.L.M.I.T." model, a straightforward, six-step approach designed to help you navigate these challenging moments without losing your cool.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostAs an Organisational Coach for international schools, Shane Leaning help leaders drive meaningful change from the inside out. Through tailored coaching and strategic models, he helps schools transform not just leadership skills but their entire organisation. Whether it's through The International School Leadership Academy, the Global Ed Leaders Podcast, or one-on-one coaching, Shane provide the tools and community you need to make a sustainable impact in your school.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.

Join Shane Leaning and special guest Selina Boyd, International Editor for the Good Schools Guide, in this engaging bonus episode of Global Ed Leaders.Recorded live from a recent LinkedIn space, Shane and Selina explore with the community the complex reasons parents choose international schools. The conversation covers perceptions from parents and educators on international schools, the importance of community, leadership visibility, and the intangible factors that make a school feel right.09db670187626db63a3bd08727f98789d4ed069aJoin 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.

Dr. José Medina discusses linguistic oppression in education and the need for linguistic liberation. He explains that linguistic oppression occurs when students are not allowed to fully leverage their entire linguistic repertoire, and are instead forced to focus solely on the language of power, which is often English. José emphasises the importance of metalinguistic awareness, which is the ability to make connections between languages in one's repertoire. He also introduces the concept of trans-languaging, which empowers students to use all of their language skills to access content learning. José calls for educators to create linguistically inclusive spaces and to model content language learning targets that incorporate the four plus one language domains.TakeawaysLinguistic oppression occurs when students are not allowed to fully leverage their entire linguistic repertoire.Metalinguistic awareness is the ability to make connections between languages in one's repertoire.Trans-languaging empowers students to use all of their language skills to access content learning.Educators should create linguistically inclusive spaces and model content language learning targets that incorporate the 4+1 language domains.LinksLanguage Magazine Article on ‘Content, Language, & Culture Learning Targets’José on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok & YouTubeJosé’s website: drjosemedina.comThank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostAs an Organisational Coach for international schools, Shane Leaning help leaders drive meaningful change from the inside out. Through tailored coaching and strategic models, he helps schools transform not just leadership skills but their entire organisation. Whether it's through The International School Leadership Academy, the Global Ed Leaders Podcast, or one-on-one coaching, Shane provide the tools and community you need to make a sustainable impact in your school.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 explore what to do when you are approached with sales pitches as an international school leader. With a budget at your disposal, the challenge is often distinguishing genuine opportunities from sales noise. In this episode, I offer practical advice on how to critically assess these pitches, ensuring that any decision made is in the best interest of your school. I discuss five critical questions that every school leader should ask when approached by vendors. These questions are designed to evaluate whether the propositions align with existing school needs, are supported by robust evidence, and offer sustainable benefits. My aim is to equip you with the tools needed to approach these situations with confidence and make informed choices that have a real impact on your school.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostAs an Organisational Coach for international schools, Shane Leaning help leaders drive meaningful change from the inside out. Through tailored coaching and strategic models, he helps schools transform not just leadership skills but their entire organisation. Whether it's through The International School Leadership Academy, the Global Ed Leaders Podcast, or one-on-one coaching, Shane provide the tools and community you need to make a sustainable impact in your school.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.

Josh Goodrich, author of Responsive Coaching and co-founder of StepLab, dives into the transformative power of rehearsal in teacher development. He emphasizes how modeling, deconstructing, and planning new teaching techniques can lead to implementation success. The need for social accountability and feedback is highlighted, showcasing how group rehearsal fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Goodrich shares insights on reducing anxiety through structured practice, ultimately enhancing teacher preparedness and confidence in real classroom dynamics.

This episode is supported by the University of Warwick's Centre for Teacher Education. Click here to learn more.SummaryEducational psychologist, Dr. Angie Wigford, shares the findings of her survey conducted among students and educators across the Asia on the effects of COVID on international school students and staff. This is a repeat of Episode 6. Key PointsImpact of COVID-19 on Student Wellbeing: The conversation starts with Angie's research findings revealing heightened anxiety levels across all student age groups due to the pandemic. She also discusses the challenges of declining emotional regulation among students, especially in the older age brackets.Positive Outcomes amidst the Challenges: In the midst of the hurdles, a silver lining emerges with students showing an enhanced ability to use technology and work independently. The pandemic, despite its downsides, has driven positive changes in teaching and learning methodologies.Navigating the 'New Normal': There's a critical need to reassess and adapt to the 'new normal' in education. A major concern is the tendency to revert to pre-COVID-19 pedagogical practices. Angie advocates for an evolved approach that resonates with the current realities and needs of students and educators.Fostering Post-traumatic Growth: A highlight of the discussion is the concept of post-traumatic growth. Angie stresses the importance of leveraging the potential benefits of the situation, such as asynchronous learning, which would help redefine educational practices in international schools.The Well-being Agenda: The significance of well-being for both students and educators has become more prominent in the pandemic context. The need for an individualized well-being approach that takes into account the unique needs of students and educators forms the crux of the conversation.Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.About the hostShane Leaning is a passionate organisational development coach with over 15 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.