Editorial | International Teaching Magazine

February 2023

Financial future-proofing; empathy and teaching geography; educational influencers and the elephant in the playground!

Finance & strategy

David Woodgate has a clear message for schools post-pandemic: make the hard decisions & plan strategically.

Empathic Geography

Paul Thompson regards empathy as a key meta-skill both to enhance understanding and 'build' character.

Those tricky decisions

Rain days and elephant days! Kai Vacher at the British School of Muscat has a plan for all eventualities.

ITM Podcast: EdTech

Expect the unexpected! A preview of our fascinating discussion with Al Kingsley & Matt Harris.

British growth

Dan Worth reports on a growing British international school market despite feeling the impact of Covid.

Edruptors 2022

Luke Walduck from ISC Research looks at guidance shared by the big influencers in international education.

The road continues

Anna Azarova's life on the road continues as the British International School Ukraine reopens for 2022 - 3.

Time is tight

Neil Gregory looks at the importance of getting your timetable for the coming year set up on firm foundations.

Small acts

Clare Brokenshire reminds us of the often small steps we can take to counter the mental health crisis in schools.

Early movement

Gary South wants greater provision for the development of Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) in the Early Years.

Choosing CTE

Larkin LeSueur explains how his school district encouraged students to choose courses in Career Technical Education.

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December 2022 – the equity issue

At the end of the year, ITM looks at equity and gender, overcoming the fear of equity work in schools and using the idea of equity to reshape a school’s culture.

Equity in education

Clare Ives suggests using the concept of equity to lay the foundations of a school’s culture and guide interventions.

The fear of equity work

For Nunana Nyomi, it is fear itself that holds us back from addressing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice issues.

Gender and equity

Tony Dickenson reflects on how to encourage boys to understand the obstacles that girls face on a daily basis,

Third culture risk

Tanya Crossman looks at addressing the negative side of a globally mobile lifestyle for third culture kids.

Future imperative

For Çelebi Kalkan, a well-planned STEM programme is essential for meeting UNESCO and UN sustainability targets.

Radical simplicity

Kevin Bartlett has a simple idea. Drop teacher evaluation. Amplify professional learning. Everything improves.

Inside out

Promoting wellbeing means seeing psychological life from the “inside-out” according to Tom Kelley & Kathy Marshall.

Challenges of grading

Darcie Flansburg offers tips for transitioning from traditional grading to less subjective, standards-based assessment.

The road from Kyiv

Anna Azarova arrived in the UK 2 months after the invasion of Ukraine. Here she reflects on her 'road' westwards.

Realisitic dreaming

Baby steps to dreaming big in Malawi - Anita Soni reports on coordinating agency support for children with disabilities.

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Consilium Education

ITM is published by Consilium Education, specialist consultants to international schools and their founders.

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November 2022

International school governance in 2022, how students mask their true self in school and which is better for acquiring ‘future skills’ – A Level or IB? Ger Graus also reflects on being ‘Imogen’s Dad’ and gets worried about Tech!

Good governance?

A new ISC Research survey looks at governance in international schools, noting some 'gentle alarm bells'.

Imogen's dad

Ger Graus is worried about technology – access, how it is used and how to live with it. Somehow, he’s still excited!

Who am I?

Matthew Savage looks at why students choose to mask their real self and how this affects their wellbeing.

State intervention

Brian Ambrosio reflects on what worked when targeting change for government schools in the UAE and Malaysia.

IB vs A Levels

Which best equips students with future skills - IBDP or A Level? Alessandro Capozzi pauses for thought.

Sevenoaks highlights

ITM publishes regular articles from Innovate, Sevenoaks School's research journal. Here are the 2021-2 highlights!

Pastoral dashboard

Can the emotional state of students be tracked for early intervention? Jonathan Taylor and Simon Antwis think so.

Online math choices

After a lifetime teaching, Lorna Jackson knew what she wanted in an online Math resource for her G2 students in Zimbabwe.

Exam technique

For Tamara Budhan Caldwell cramming for exams builds pressure on students. There are better ways to empower them.

FEATURE IMAGE: by Olayinka Adegboye from Pixabay

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October 2022

Fresh ideas for successful recruitment and retention, more on the sustainabilty agenda with a new conference in Lisbon and breakthrough styles of assessment.

70-20-10

Michael Iannini on a mentoring program for aspiring leaders that has exceeded all expectations.

A teacher's power

For Conrad Hughes, teachers who show they believe in their students can tranform lives in more ways thatn one.

Assessing writing

Does 'comparative judgement' provide a reliable and quick way to mark written work? Daisy Christodoulou thinks so.

Sustainability agenda

Richard Tangye, João Paulo Feijoo and Pedro Neves invite you to Lisbon to develop a sustainability agenda.

New era?

Formal assessment at 16+ really is starting to change. Dr. Sarah Watson wonders how much further this can go.

Recruiting pack

New thinking for an old problem - Andy Homden and Simon Harris look at ideas for new staff recruitment packs.

Recruitment crisis

With a teaching shortage looming Down Under, Tim Waley looks at the importance of PD for recruitment.

Successful onboarding

Cindy Adair looks at what makes a great induction programme for international staff as they arrive in BKK.

Travelling Think Tank

Think Tank leaves its birthplace as Holly Warren introduces its art-based values and concepts with other schools.

Researching student voice

Tash Hingston would like student opinions for the latest ISC Research survey.

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Consilium Education

ITM is published by Consilium Education: find out more about who we are and what we do with international schools.

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September 2022

Sustainability in the curriculum

If you haven’t put sustainability at the heart of your curriculum, now is the time to get going. In September’s edition we have three ways to kick start your sustainability journey.

Earth prize 2023

Angela McCarthy tells the story of the $200,000 Earth Prize for schools and how your school can get involved.

Sustainability gap

Governments should be rushing to get sustainability into the core curriculum. Apparently they're not, but help is here.

Tiger tracking

Charlotte Bouchier reports on the 2022 edition of 'The Wild Wisdom Global Challenge' for schools. Register now!

The data jigsaw

According to Matthew Savage, current forms of assessment do not get us anywhere near a full picture of a child.

Staff retention

Retaining staff has never been more important. Having a planned approach is therefore vital, says Dr. Brooke Moran.

The ITM Podcast

Episode 3 - teaching and learning at Sevenoaks School, 2022. It's different here - as Mark Beverley explains.

Metaverses today

For Uma Shankar Singh metaverse platforms need critical feedback, not instant adoption.

Still growing

Despite the uncertainty of 2020 - 22, the demand for international education is still growing, as Sam Fraser reports.

Listening for empathy

If teaching depends on good relationships, these depend on empathy and listening skills according to Dr. Paul Parham.

Attention spans

Al Kingsley examines the digital pressures that affect student attention spans, suggesting ways to adapt accordingly.

Cultural expression

David Cole looks at how an art project has kept the BIS Ukraine community together during Ukraine's diaspora.

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July and August 2022

The continuing challenge of recruitment, lessons from the new Beatles documentary for school leaders, the importance of develping our working memory and working on Nauru.

Recruitment challenge

New surveys from COBIS and ISC Research confirm recruiting for international schools in 2022 did not get any easier.

JOBLINK 2022

Find the most recent international teaching jobs advertised by schools and international teaching agencies

Can’t I just look it up?

IB teacher and Head of Physics at Sevenoaks School, James Tate looks at tablets, short-term memory and problem solving.

Outstanding Schools

We are excited to be partnering with the Outstanding Schools Middle East Conference on the 5 – 6 October in Dubai!

Regrouping

Fab 4 fan Michael Iannini looks at lessons for leaders after binge watching the new Beatles documentary "Get back!"

Kherson to Kyiv

High school graduate, Maryna Kiliachenkova tells how her family left their home town of Kherson in southern Ukraine.

Why study History?

IB teacher, Drew Thomas laments the narrowness of history courses offered by most international schools.

Nauru

International teaching is a great passport to travel.. Susan Bennet reflects on the island that is currently her home.

How learning works

Now we understand learning better, Professor Douglas Fisher argues we can improve the impact of our teaching.

Experience or habit ?

Holly Warren explores the roles of experience and habit as they shape our thinking, character, work and teaching.

Built to last

Durability is vital when procuring new equipment if schools are to meet carbon targets, argues Frank Campbell.

Unifying principles

Tania Lattanzio and Dr Jennifer Chang Wathall look for unifying concepts we can all use to inform our teaching,

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June 2022

An epic trip from Ukraine, learning to listen in language lessons, listen to two school leaders talk about their jobs and the coming sustainability revolution.

Learning to listen

Dr Fabienne Cheung wants to challenge approaches to teaching listening skills in Modern Languages.

Leaving Ukraine

Anna Azarova is the PR manager at BIS Ukraine. Here is her account of an epic trip from Ukraine with her friend's son.

Successful startups

Deborah Eyre argues a clear teaching and learning framwork should be in place from day 1 of a new international school.

ITM Podcast 2

When Katie Tomlinson and Stephen Priest talk about their jobs, you realise that leadership is all about people.

Hybrid future

The COBIS conference took place in London as a hybrid event in May. Andy Homden attended two interesting days.

Sustainable revolution

Kit Connell looks at how schools can reduce their carbon footprint in a revolutionary but realistic move to 'net-zero.'

Learning together

'We built our school in the grounds of a care home.' Principal Jade Amalou reports from Reunion Island.

Growing movement

Pete Milne is leading a movement for schools that creates climate awareness while taking direct action.

Golf anyone?

Tony Child has news of the return of a much loved summer golf and networking event in the UK this July.

From TA to teacher

Katy Gandon talks to Andy Homden about a new international pathway for TA's into the teaching profession.

Group share

School groups have existed for some time. Ashley Kirk of ISC Research reveals they are now growing in size and number.

Go transdisciplinary!

Coordinating support for children with disabilities is not easy. Anita Soni reports about a new initiative in Malawi.

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May 2022

The new ITM podcast, high-level risk management in uncertain times, The Times Education Commission on education in the UK, how to calm down with yoga and reflect on . . . reflection.

New ITM Podcast

Max Simpson and Conrad Hughes discuss inclusive 'Pathways to the Future' for all teenagers.

In harm's way

Keeping people safe in high-risk situations is what Phil Jones does. What can schools learn from his approach?

State of the nation

The Times Education Commission reports soon on the state of education in the UK. Rachel Sylvester reports.

Calming influence

Eva Coddington presents the case for the active practice of Yoga in schools as time very well spent. Just breathe!

Reflection

We are often urged to ‘reflect’. Holly B. F. Warren takes a visual approach to explore what it means. Go with it!

School climate

Katrina Daniels-Samasa suggests that if a school does not actively cultivate its climate, it will drift and problems arise.

Digital divide

Global digital poverty will only get worse unless more children have access to the internet according to Al Kingsley.

Schools and risks

Do you suffer from risk assessment anxiety? According to David Gregory, you are not alone! Help is at hand!

'Most magnificent'

Teacher-librarian Kim Klein explains how her school blends self-directed learning with UDL to support students.

London calling

Approaches to live online teaching are becoming more sophisticated and ambitious. David Boddy reports.

We've got their backs

Lorna Conroy describes how her school has developed a 2-track approach to monitor secondary student wellbeing.

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April 2022

The war in Ukraine overshadows everything. Stephen Priest’s article describes staff evacuations from Dnipro and Kyiv and how the Black Sea Schools group are supporting each other.

Also in this edition: recruitment, retention, inclusion, sustainability and Edruptors!

Shadow of war

Stephen Priest looks at heroism in Ukraine and how schools in the Black Sea Group have supported each other.

Coping strategies

Milena Tišma describes how a school in Zagreb helped children cope after two earthquakes during lockdown.

Authentic inclusion

According to April Remfrey, international schools need guidance and clear standards in order to be more inclusive.

Assessment in PE

Assessment in PE has come a long way. Could it go further without detracting from the suibject? Yes says Mat Heaume.

The 'to don't' list

Kevin Bartlett, argues we don’t need to ‘educate’ our parents. We do, however, need to co-create Learning Communities.

Teaching sustainability

The University of Reading has developed a free online course for teaching sustainability, Dr. Helen Bilton reports.

Cognitive overload!

For Elen Harris understanding Cognitive Load Theory can enhance learning, especially when introducing new ideas.

New opportunities

According to Adrienne Waller there are good reasons why BIPOC educators should consider working overseas.

Come and join us!

It has become vital to retain great staff. Simon Dunford looks at building a school’s reputation as an employer.

Edruptors!

Who are the biggest influencers in education? Ashley Kirk looks at the world of ‘edruptors’ and what they have to say.

Team healthcheck

Whether everyone is flying or flagging, more gets done if you look at how you work together, says Michael Iannini.

Going well?

A survey by Tes shows international schools address wellbeing needs, but more can be done says Jon Romer-Lee.

AI & Assessment

Sometimes we think an innovation can be really good for international schools. Here's the pitch from Atom Learning.

JOBLINK 2022

ITM's convenient one page link to recruiters, agencies and school associations posting new jobs.

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Most of our articles are written by global educators - why not join them? We are always interested in new ideas.

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March 2022

Leading in an era of change, being ‘I.M’, gender disparity at the top, using the Harkness Method in the classroom and ‘do – don’t talk!’ – an active approach to wellbeing.