The Education Vanguard

What happens when keeping the peace comes at the expense of honest communication? In this episode of the Education Vanguard Podcast, host Justin Hardman speaks with Jennifer Abrams, international educational and communications consultant and author of Having Hard Conversations and Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work . Jennifer challenges the idea that being nice is always the same...

What changes when teachers stop being the center of the classroom and students start taking ownership of their learning? In this episode of Education Vanguard, Justin Hardman sits down with Kyle Wagner, student-centered learning designer, project-based learning expert, and author of Where's the Teacher? 12 Shifts for Learner-Centered Classrooms. Drawing from his experiences at High Tech High,...

AI Finally Delivering on the Promises Educational Technology Has Been Making for Decades? For language teachers, AI offers exciting possibilities, from personalized learning resources to instant feedback. But are these tools genuinely improving learning, or are we getting caught up in another wave of technology hype? In this episode of Education Vanguard, Justin Hardman speaks with Joe Dale, an in...

Nearly every international school talks about developing global citizens. But how many are actually giving students the skills and opportunities to make a difference? In this episode of Education Vanguard, Justin Hardman sits down with Aaron Moniz and Scott Jamieson from Inspire Citizens to explore what it takes to move global citizenship beyond mission statements and into meaningful action. They...

What if the school campus itself could become part of the learning? In this episode of Education Vanguard, Justin Hardman speaks with Crispian Waterman, Headmaster of Brighton College Bangkok Vibhavadi, winner of the Public Choice Award for Innovative Facilities at the ASEAN School Awards 2026. At the center of the conversation is the idea of the campus as a “third teacher”: an environment that ca...

What changes when leadership development is not separated from the work of leading? The Applied Leadership Certificate is a year-round online program for international school leaders running from January to December 2027. Its cohort model is designed to create the conditions for leaders to reflect, test ideas, build trust, and make meaning together while navigating the real challenges of their rol...

How do parents choose the right school when every school website seems to say the same thing? In this episode of the Education Vanguard podcast, Justin Hardman speaks with Ruth Benny, founder of Top Schools , about what families should really consider when choosing a school. They explore why there is no universal “best school,” how parents can look beyond websites, rankings, and polished campus to...

What should students actually gain from physical education by the time they leave school? In this episode of The Education Vanguard, Justin Hardman speaks with Professor Shane Pill of Flinders University about moving beyond simply keeping students active and instead helping them develop the confidence and competence to pursue physical activity throughout their lives. They explore why PE can remain...

What does human agency look like when AI can increasingly complete the work for us? In this episode of Education Vanguard , Lee Crockett explores why the rise of AI calls for schools to become more intentional about the capabilities that must remain distinctly human. From critical thinking and judgment to meaningful decision-making and personal perspective, Lee challenges educators to look closely...

Outdoor education can create some of the most memorable and transformative experiences students have at school. But what happens when we start thinking about it as more than a trip, expedition, or week away? In this episode of Education Vanguard , Justin Hardman speaks with Martin Foakes, OFFSEAS Board Chair, and Rob Carmichael, OFFSEAS Board Member and sustainability leader , about outdoor educat...

What does leadership look like when the decisions are difficult, the stakes are high, and the people around you are carrying more than you realise? In this episode of Education Vanguard, Dr. Howard Stribbell sits down with experienced international school leader Patrick Hurworth for a candid conversation about leadership through crisis, wellbeing, vulnerability, and the decisions school leaders ar...

What makes online learning truly effective? In this episode of the Education Vanguard Podcast, host Justin Hardman speaks with Brittanie Bates, Principal of Crimson Global Academy, about designing online education with purpose rather than simply recreating the traditional classroom on a screen. Brittanie shares how CGA supports students in more than 70 countries through flexible learning pathways,...

In this episode of Education Vanguard, as part of the 21CLHK Panel podcast takeover, Jeremy Willette leads a panel conversation with Stacy Stephens, Jean-Pierre Adamson, Julia Besnard, and Marianne Grasso on the evolving role of school libraries and what it means to place them at the heart of learning.  Together, they explore how libraries create spaces for belonging, curiosity, student agency, re...

In this episode of Education Vanguard, Howard Stribbell is joined by fitness and lifestyle coach Paul Bradley for a conversation about leadership, energy, health, and what it really takes to perform at your best. This episode explores why success at work can only go so far when health, energy, relationships, and personal well-being are being pushed aside. Paul works with executive leaders around t...

What does it take to design a school that actually works for the students and educators inside it?  In this special Education Vanguard panel episode from 21CLHK 2026,  host MJ Jimenez of MBKM Group   facilitates a compelling panel discussion that brings together architects, designers, and education leaders to explore the future of learning space design. The conversation features Owen Tam of the Ho...

In this special Education Vanguard panel episode from 21CLHK 2026, a group of experienced educators come together to explore one of the most pressing questions in education today, how to ethically integrate AI into teaching and learning. Featuring insights from Cora Yang, Douglas Kiang, Alex McMillan, and Roberta Ferraz, the conversation dives into real classroom practices, institutional challenge...

In this keynote from the 21CLHK 2026, d’Arcy Lunn explores how educators and individuals can meaningfully engage with the Sustainable Development Goals through small, practical actions. Drawing from his concept of “teaspoons of change,” he emphasizes that global citizenship is not about perfection but about awareness, balance, and consistent effort. Throughout the session, d’Arcy shares how school...

In this 21CLHK Education Vanguard podcast takeover keynote episode, Howard Stribbell shares a deeply personal and honest reflection on leadership, achievement, burnout, vulnerability, and the importance of authenticity in education.  Drawing from over 30 years in international education, Howard explores how masks, ego, stress, and the pursuit of success can create blind spots in leadership and str...

In this special 21CLHK Podcast Takeover, this panel discussion led by Dr. Howard Stribbell brings together experienced education leaders including Dr. Ron Roukema, Dr. Arnett Edwards, Dr. Shirla Sum, and Nooraine Fazal. The conversation explores what it means to lead schools in today’s rapidly changing world, from navigating global uncertainty and political complexity to supporting teacher well-be...

In this special 21CLHK Podcast Takeover episode, Dr. Helen Wright’s keynote from the 17th Annual 21st Century Learning Conference in Hong Kong explores the importance of reflection in shaping the future of education.  Drawing from centuries of educational thought and practice, Dr. Wright shares how looking back can provide clarity, courage, and direction for educators and leaders navigating today’...

In this episode of Education Vanguard, Justin Hardman speaks with Jiayuan Tian, social entrepreneur, Co-founder of OneXplore, and Master of International Affairs candidate at Columbia University. Drawing from his journey from Southern China’s exam-centric system to Minerva University’s global model, Jiayuan reflects on how information asymmetry shapes access to opportunity. Together, they explore...

In this episode of Education Vanguard, Justin sits down with Punya Mishra, an internationally recognized scholar and co-developer of the TPACK framework, to explore how AI is reshaping education. Together, they unpack:  • Why context matters more than ever  • How AI can amplify expert teachers  • Why novice educators may struggle more with AI  • The importance of judgment, care, and professional p...

In this episode of the Education Vanguard Podcast, host Justin Hardman sits down with Summer Howarth, founder and director of The Eventful Learning Company and a leading voice in student agency and educational innovation. Summer shares why meaningful participation requires more than good intentions. Drawing from her experience designing events and learning experiences across international schools...

In this episode of Education Vanguard, host Justin Hardman is joined by Tim Evans, Learning Technologies and Data Coordinator at the American School of Guangzhou. Together, they explore how trust, community understanding, and meaningful data use shape successful EdTech adoption. Tim shares insights on moving beyond dashboards, supporting teachers through AI driven change, and why alignment with sc...

In this episode of the Education Vanguard Podcast, host Justin and co-host Howard Stribbell welcome Dr. Helen Wright, a globally respected education leader, executive coach, and board advisor with over three decades of experience in international education. Dr. Wright shares her journey from teacher to headship, offering honest reflections on leadership transitions, imposter syndrome, and the real...