Education Leaders | Strategic School Leadership

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.

This episode is supported by the University of Warwick's Centre for Teacher Education. Click here to learn more.Simon Probert and I explore the evolution of British international schools in Asia, with a focus on the growth of British international education in Asia. The appeal of British international schools and the interaction between these schools and local education systems are discussed, as well as the importance of local identity are explored. The conversation also delves into the challenges of localising international schools and the post-colonial lens in British international schools.Simon talks about the idea of creating a third space in international schools and the future of international education and importance of reflection, collaboration, and autonomy in evolving international schools is emphasised, along with the need to empower students and define the future of internationalism.TakeawaysBritish international education has experienced significant growth in Asia, particularly in China, with the British curriculum and qualifications being highly sought after.International schools in China interact with the local education system in various ways, including through bilingual schools that explicitly teach the Chinese National Curriculum and international schools that have more freedom over the curriculum.Creating a bicultural curriculum that incorporates local values and identity alongside global citizenship is important in international schools.International schools need to reflect on their context, build collaborative relationships with parents and the local community, and ensure that staff understand the cultural context in which they are working.The future of international education lies in creating unique cultural spaces that bridge different nations and cultures, empowering students to be confident, articulate individuals with a sense of global citizenship.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.

This episode is supported by the University of Warwick's Centre for Teacher Education. Click here to learn more.Universities around the world are prioritising internationalisation, which presents both opportunities and challenges for international schools. This report from The International Association of Universities highlights benefits such as enhanced international cooperation and enriched global knowledge for students. However, universities also struggle with competing priorities and finances. This trend may lead to an increased demand for students with international education, benefiting schools that offer international qualifications. It also opens up opportunities for better university partnerships and pathways directly with international schools.TakeawaysUniversities are prioritising internationalisation in higher education, valuing international mindedness and global perspectives.International schools may benefit from an increased demand for students with international education and qualifications.There are opportunities for better university partnerships and pathways directly with schools.The trend towards internationalisation may also lead to a more competitive market for international schools.Defining internationalism and addressing challenges such as competing priorities and finances are important for both universities and international schools.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.

In this deeply engaging LIVE Space of "Global Ed Leaders," we peel back the layers to explore vulnerability in school leadership. As an international school leader, I've seen first-hand the transformative power vulnerability can wield. It's not always comfortable, but it's crucial for building trust and fostering authentic connections among our staff, students, and community. This conversation is a reminder that showing our humanity can be our greatest strength.Episode Overview- Introduction to vulnerability in school leadership- Vulnerability during COVID: A shared experience in uncertainty- The impact of selective vulnerability in small community settings- Responses to Tom Sherrington's article on vulnerability in education- Implementing practical vulnerability in leadership practices- Addressing the role of shame in hindering vulnerability- Acceptance of vulnerability in ourselves and othersJoin 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.

This episode is supported by the University of Warwick's Centre for Teacher Education. Click here to learn more.Chris Baker and Shane discuss the importance of confidence and self-efficacy in effective leadership. They explore the impact of confidence on decision-making and the role of self-efficacy in personal and professional development. Chris shares his personal experience with confidence and how it has shaped his career. They also discuss strategies to develop self-efficacy, including setting achievable goals, seeking out models of excellence, and receiving feedback. The conversation concludes with a focus on the big three: learning efficacy, coping efficacy, and influence efficacy.TakeawaysConfidence and self-efficacy are crucial for effective leadership.Self-efficacy impacts decision-making, motivation, and resilience.Strategies to develop self-efficacy include setting achievable goals, seeking out models of excellence, and receiving feedback.The big three areas to focus on for self-efficacy development are learning efficacy, coping efficacy, and influence efficacy.ChaptersThe Importance of Confidence in LeadershipThe Impact of Confidence on Decision MakingSelf-Efficacy and Self-ConfidenceThe Impact of Self-Efficacy on Thinking, Motivation, and Decision MakingStrategies to Develop Self-EfficacyThe Big Three: Learning, Coping, and Influence EfficacyLinks to Chris Baker’s Work:Personal Website - LINKInfographic Gallery - LINKYouTube Channel - LINKA Visual Intro to Self-efficacy - LINKTwitter - @drchriswbLinkedin - drchrisbakerThank 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.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.

As an international school leader, you know that navigating investigations within your schools is complex, meshed with emotional, legal, and ethical threads. In this Global Ed Leaders LIVE Space, I am joined by former detective sergeant Tim Sterne and guests.Together, we explore the vital importance of documentation, acknowledging biases, providing support, and the therapeutic potential of a well-conducted investigation. This Space is a must-listen for those seeking to advance their investigative acumen and foster a safer, more trusting school environment.Learn more at basaltsolutions.comContact Tim at Tim@basaltsolutions.comListen to the original live space 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.

This episode is supported by the University of Warwick's Centre for Teacher Education. Click here to learn more.I am thrilled to present to you a sneak peek into my brand new course designed to support international school teachers with English as an additional language (EAL) learners in their classrooms. In this episode, I'm sharing a lesson from the course for free.Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with schools across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, supporting their EAL programs and training development. Now, with this course, I'm excited to share my knowledge and insights in a self-study format, making it accessible for teachers and schools looking to elevate their EAL practices.In this episode, I dive into the theory of comprehensible input, drawing from Stephen Krashen's research. This key concept focuses on providing language learners with input just beyond their current level, emphasising the importance of meaning over form and the natural order of language acquisition. I discuss practical strategies for making teacher talk more comprehensible, including an innovative method using AI transcription software to evaluate and adjust language grading for EAL students. Plus, I offer a special discount for listeners to join the full EAL course, where you can access over 30 comprehensive lessons and an exclusive online community.LinksFind the EAL course at shaneleaning.com/EAL and use discount code PODCAST199 to get £100 off.Free transcription: https://riverside.fm/transcriptionThank 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.About the hostShane Leaning is a passionate organisational development coach with over 14 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.

In this podcast, leaders in international schools discuss balancing personal values with organizational expectations, highlighting the importance of coaching to shift perspectives. They explore the tension between values and finances, offer strategies for constructive engagement within the system, and emphasize the potential for growth through creating productive tension.