The International Schools Podcast

This conversation explores what happens when AI becomes part of a school’s everyday systems, not just a classroom tool. It looks at how schools can use AI and data to support learning and reduce administration, while still protecting privacy, student agency, and human judgement. Andy Birch is Director of Technology at Hong Kong Academy, with 28 years of experience in international education and mo...

This conversation explores why meaningful change in schools is so difficult in a world shaped by AI, climate change, and growing uncertainty. It asks what schools need to change, what they should protect, and what must remain deeply human. Lee Fertig is Head of School at The Nueva School in the San Francisco Bay Area and has nearly 40 years of experience in education across several countries. Jeff...

What happens when AI can search, summarise, and think with us? About Heather Caveney Heather is an experienced educator and librarian with more than 20 years of experience across public, private, boarding, and international schools. She has worked with students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 in the United States, Mongolia, and Türkiye. She is currently Head Librarian at the American Colleg...

Two educators, their aunt Audrey, and the story of her life and art they are helping others discover. About Steve Weatherel Steve has worked in several international schools in the last forty years and in many different roles. These days he's living in the Netherlands trying to make it as a writer, with projects such as Intense Colours, the blog about his aunt, the artist Audrey Amiss. Instagram:...

How international schools can offer more than one post-16 pathway and help students choose the route that suits them best. It also explores what this means in practice for families, teachers, school leaders, and students planning for university and beyond. About Sarah O'Regan Sarah O'Regan is the Principal CEO of GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis, she has been part of the school’s journey for...

This episode explores Jeff Utecht’s new book, The Next Turn, and his thinking on AI, leadership, and the changing nature of work. We discuss what schools can learn from this shift, especially around judgment, trust, human responsibility, and what still needs to remain deeply human. About Jeff Utecht Jeff Utecht is an educator, consultant, author, and speaker who has spent many years helping school...

A conversation with Samuel Holston and Kirun Goy of BrainTools Lab and Podcast on simple brain tools for focus, learning, and better decisions at school and at work. About Kirun Goy Kirun works at the intersection of leadership, cognitive science, and intentional living. He helps people think more clearly, lead more effectively, and move out of autopilot. Over the past 14 years, Kirun has delivere...

A conversation with Brooke Fezler, M.A. in Counseling, Co-Founder and Co-Director of ISCA, on how schools can move from separate wellbeing efforts to a clear, connected system of support. About Brooke Fezler Brooke Fezler is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of International School Counselor Association (ISCA) and has spent more than twenty years supporting student well-being in international schools...

A conversation with Timothy Cook (Director, The Cognitive Privacy Project & Connected Classroom | Psychology Today Columnist, The Algorithmic Mind) on exploiting how AI may be changing the way children think, learn, and grow. About Timothy Cook Timothy Cook, M.Ed., is an international educator, AI researcher, and Director of the Cognitive Privacy Project. With more than a decade of teaching ex...

A conversation with Aylin Erengul Gregg and Ana Arana on supporting multilingual learners without mistaking English fluency for ability. About Aylin Erengul Gregg Aylin Erengul Gregg is an English Language Acquisition specialist with a passion for supporting multilingual learners in accessing meaningful and equitable education. Having taught in diverse international school settings, she brings a g...

From digital assessment to systems transformation, what's changing, and what it matters. About Dr. Jenny Gillett Dr. Jenny Gillett is a Senior Expert in the International Baccalaureate’s Education Innovation team, based in The Hague. She has worked with the IB for more than 15 years across curriculum and assessment, including leading reviews of the Diploma Programme philosophy, history, global pol...

Supporting gifted students with care and clarity. About Dr. Michael Cascianelli Dr Michael Cascianelli is Head of Secondary Years, Diploma Programme at the International Baccalaureate, and a University of Cambridge-trained researcher, school leader, and author specialising in Gifted Education. His doctoral research pioneered the first implementation of a Schoolwide Enrichment Model in Italy, trans...

What schools must understand now as AI reshapes learning, leadership, and decision-making. About Corey Layne Crouch Corey is the Chief Program Officer at AI for Education and a former high school English teacher, a founding public charter school principal, and edtech executive. With over 20 years of experience leading innovation in school design focused on equity and access, she now specializes in...

A balanced conversation on smarter workflows, human judgment, and what comes next. About Adam Morris Adam Morris is the Product Director, Integrations at Faria Education Group, where he leads a development team for ManageBac and OpenApply. With experience as a teacher, school leader, technology director, and software engineer, he brings a practical, school-centred approach to solving challenges in...

How teachers and students are using AI at school and beyond. About John Dolman John Dolman is a Media Studies teacher at Ponteland Community High School. He holds an MEd in Educational Leadership and Practitioner Enquiry and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Newcastle University. He has worked in schools in the UK, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, teaching English and Media and ho...

How hidden AI recommendations shape our decisions and identity. About Prof. James Brusseau, PhD James Brusseau, PhD is a Professor of Philosophy at Pace University in New York City, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate students. He has taught philosophy for more than 14 years in Mexico, Europe, and the United States, including at California State University–Fullerton before joining Pace in...

Helping absent students stay part of learning. About Simone Isaacs Simone Isaacs is the Director of Customer Success at No Isolation, where she works closely with schools across Europe to support the implementation of AV1, which is a telepresence robot. AV1 is a solution designed to maintain learning and belonging during student absence. With 28 years of experience in schools and alternative provi...

Why schools need data that helps every child be seen, heard, and belong. About Paul Swanson Paul is the Director of Innovation and Institutional Research at Atlanta International School. Drawing on experience as a teacher, coach, and school leader in international schools around the world, he is passionate about helping schools use data and technology to better understand the whole child and suppo...

Stories, identity, and belonging through student podcasting. About Jess Bauldry Jess Bauldry is a British/Luxembourgish writer who has worked for regional and national news outlets for the last 20 years. She currently splits her time between editing Silicon Luxembourg and Forbes Luxembourg, running educational workshops and doing standup comedy. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-bauldry/...

Everyone’s Invited: Creating Safer School Cultures Survivor voices, education, and the responsibility to change. About Alex Somers Alex is the Head of Education at Everyone’s Invited, where she has played a key role in developing and leading the charity’s education programme since its launch in September 2022. Alex leads educational sessions in schools, colleges, and universities across the UK, en...

Transforming schools through ethical, large-scale Al integration and collaborative learning. About Jamie Toner Jamie is an education technology and innovation leader with experience across K-12 and Higher Education in the UK, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. As Director of Technology and Innovation at Singapore American School, he leads digital transformation, AI integration, and the de...

Preparing students not just to face the world they inherit, but to transform it for the better. About Scott Jamieson Scott is the Global Collaboration Lead,  Facilitator, Coach, Empathy to Impact Host and Producer, Co-Director of Future Now: Student Leadership. Scott Jamieson is a facilitator with Inspire Citizens, where he works with international schools to deepen global citizenship and sustaina...

Exploring innovation where education meets entrepreneurship. About Durga Suresh-Menon Durga Suresh-Menon, Ph. D. , is Head of School at New England Innovation Academy. An energizing, dynamic and growth-minded educator with a record of inclusive leadership and passionate storytelling, Dr. Suresh-Menon joins NEIA with over two decades of collaborative higher-education experience, academic program de...

How communication and connection shape our professional lives. About Helen von Dadelszen Helen von Dadelszen is a public speaking and voice coach who works with researchers, healthcare professionals and humanitarian staff to help them share their work clearly and confidently. Through her company, Present Potential Sàrl, she provides coaching in speaking, presenting, and interviews, with a focus on...

Reflections from international school leaders on ethics, practice, and what the future may hold. About Warren Apel Warren is the Director of Technology at The American School in Japan, co-founder of the edtech startups Scholastico and Ecoballot, and Global Project Coordinator for the World Digital Schools Project. With over 20 years of experience in international education, he has served at school...