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Early Childhood Conference at HKIS
I am grateful for this thoughtful highlight from Hong Kong International School. I look forward to keynoting the Early Childhood Conference in January with Rosemarie Truglio, PhD as we explore belonging, play, and children’s perspectives in learning.
I invite early childhood colleagues across the region to join us in Hong Kong for this meaningful professional experience. Register to deepen your capacity to support our youngest learners grow " kinder, stronger, and wiser."
American School Foundation of Guadalajara (ASFG)
Fostering Cultures of Dignity and Respect at American School Foundation of Guadalajara (ASFG)
I was delighted to return to Guadalajara for my eighth visit to the The American School Foundation of Guadalajara to continue our ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive school community grounded in dignity and respect for all.
The intercultural competency work focused on cultivating shared language around the knowledge, skills, and competencies that we all need in an international community to engage with one another with empathy, respect, and adaptability. This included parent education, student assemblies, board conversations, and strategic planning to inform the next phase of data guided belonging and wellbeing work that strengthens a coherent and inclusive school environment.
Before leaving campus, I paused at a set of elementary murals that echoed these commitments. Their messages served as a simple and powerful reminder of the values the community is intentionally nurturing.
I look forward to returning in the spring.
Cultivando culturas de dignidad y respeto en el American School Foundation of Guadalajara (ASFG)
Me dio mucho gusto regresar a Guadalajara para mi octava visita al The American School Foundation Guadalajara y continuar con nuestros esfuerzos para cultivar una comunidad escolar inclusiva, basada en la dignidad y el respeto para todos.
El trabajo de competencia intercultural se centró en cultivar un lenguaje compartido sobre los conocimientos, habilidades y competencias que todos necesitamos en una comunidad internacional para relacionarnos con empatía, respeto y adaptabilidad. Esto incluyó sesiones para familias, asambleas para estudiantes, conversaciones con la junta directiva y planificación estratégica para orientar la siguiente fase del trabajo en pertenencia y bienestar, guiado por datos, que fortalece un entorno escolar coherente e inclusivo.
Antes de salir del campus, me detuve ante un conjunto de murales en la sección de primaria que reflejan claramente estos compromisos. Sus mensajes ofrecen un recordatorio sencillo y poderoso de los valores que la comunidad está cultivando de manera intencional.
Espero con entusiasmo regresar en la primavera
United Nations International School of Hanoi
I am grateful for a meaningful visit to United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi), where I had the opportunity to engage with students, educators, and parents in thoughtful dialogue about inclusive school communities grounded in dignity, respect, and authentic belonging.
This visit built on our session with the Board last August, where we highlighted intercultural competency as a critical skill for bridging differences and strengthening our shared humanity within an international community.
Many thanks to Liz Gale, Ed.D., Head of School, and Maria S. Chung, board chair, for their partnership and leadership as the community continues to advance this important work.
Continually Inspired
I’m continually inspired by the organizations I partner with around the world, each one deeply committed to fostering cultures where dignity and respect are foundational for everyone.
From São Paulo to Hong Kong, Hanoi to Madrid, and across schools, businesses, and conferences, I am grateful for the opportunity to advance intercultural competency and belonging, work that feels more essential than ever. To all who engage in this important work, thank you for your ongoing commitment.
International School of Panama
During this third visit to The International School of Panama (ISP) this academic year, I facilitated assemblies with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to explore identity-based harm and the impact of jokes, informed by student focus groups in December; engaged with operations staff to gather feedback on belonging policies; met with the PTA Executive Committee with Rosalind Wiseman; and continued strategic work with the Community and Belonging Task Force.
Additionally, a group of academic and operations leaders participated in a meaningful and instructive session processing the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), fostering deeper conversations about intercultural competency.
I look forward to returning later this spring to build on these insights and further our shared commitment to fostering a culture of dignity and respect.
Deepening Belonging and Intercultural Competency at Island Primary in the Cayman Islands
I had the privilege last week of working with Island Primary, a new school committed to delivering a British curriculum for students from reception to Year 6.
Our faculty development session was a true melting pot of nationalities, experiences, and perspectives, bringing together international educators from around the world. Through interactive activities and reflection, we cultivated shared understandings around belonging.
Leveraging the intercultural competency as a guiding model, we embarked on a journey of introspection, recognizing the challenges of the term “diversity,” particularly in international education, and the benefits of belonging in an learning environment.
Delving into research, we explored what young minds comprehend about differences at various developmental stages and the profound implications for fostering an inclusive school community.
A heartfelt thanks to Steve Coles and Jenn Cowdroy for extending the invitation. I look forward to our ongoing partnership to deepen and sustain belonging at Island Primary.
Geography Quiz!
Can you guess the country whose flag is featured in this post? Here are some hints:
Capital is Georgetown.
Approximately 80% of the country is covered in lush forests.
Located in the northern tip of South America but proudly Caribbean.
National Dish is Pepperpot, a delicious stewed meat dish with a unique blend of flavors.
In 2015, this nation made headlines when ExxonMobil discovered oil, sparking rapid economic and intercultural growth.
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🇬🇾 = Guyana!
Recently, I had the pleasure of returning to Georgetown International Academy for a day of insightful focus groups with students and staff, delving into their perspectives on belonging. With a growing student body of 340 students from 37 nationalities- relative to 80 students just five years ago- and a new location and building inaugurated in August, the theme of belonging is more important than ever.
Day 2 involved a strategic consultation with the DEIB team and senior leadership at GIA. We leveraged a SWOT analysis to identify 5 strategic priorities aimed at deepening the sense of belonging.
I am grateful to Shauna Hobbs-Beckley, EdS head of school, Dr. Robin Heslip, and The US State Department, for generously supporting this work; and the entire GIA community for their warm welcome. Looking forward to my next visit to GUYANA soon!
DEIB Executive Leadership Cohort Session 4: The Library
So proud of this incredible group of educators. Leveraging insights from our two-day onsite last December in Panama, this session focussed on deeper applications of the IDI, integrating best practices from global DEIB models, and drawing from organizational development strategies to iterate school-specific action plans.
We ended the session by sharing key takeaways from the group's third case study analysis, which explored challenges associated with school libraries, which have become one of the primary targets for individuals who oppose advancing belonging.
The DEIB Executive Leadership Cohort consists of 40 administrators from international and American schools in Latin America. Over the course of the academic year, participants convene 5 times virtually and 2 days onsite. The curriculum leverages a case study model, integrating metrics and insights from the Intercultural Development Inventory, and conceptual and theoretical frameworks drawing from global DEIB, intercultural competency, cross-cultural communication, organizational development, and culturally responsive teaching, among others. Successful participants will leave the program with a deeper sense of self, strategic empathy, and enhanced inclusive leadership skills cultivated through sustained case study.
Exciting news: Applications for Cohort 2 are opening soon!
Belonging Survey Findings at International School of Panama
I just spent another three incredible days with students, staff, and parents at International School of Panama to share findings of our recent belonging survey.
Acknowledging the old adage that "inquiry is a also form of intervention," the process of structuring the data collection model began last April by building capacity with the Belonging and Community Task Force.
Over the course of the year, I spent 15 days on campus working with all constituent groups to socialize common language to support an inclusive community, and sharing the research around the benefits of fostering belonging and the damage around belonging uncertainty.
We intentionally integrated all constituents into the data collection process, providing opportunities to share perspectives anonymously in the IPS survey instrument that we specifically designed for the school. Additionally, I facilitated 32 onsite focus groups, in English and Spanish, where I leveraged emergent survey themes to learn more details about the various community perspectives and experiences around belonging.
The process culminated last week when I provided constituent sessions for staff, parents, middle and high school students, and 4th and 5th graders- in English and Spanish- to learn about the findings: levers, positive dynamics, and growth areas.
The next phase consists of convening the Belonging and Community Task Force and other belonging committees to identify strategic belonging priorities and to design the 2024-25 Belonging Action Plan.
Many thanks to Audrey C. Menard, Ed.D., head of school, and the entire ISP community for their partnership in this critical work.
A Visit to the National Library of El Salvador
What an incredible visit to the new National Library in San Salvador, El Salvador. I was fortunate to learn from a personal tour guide, along with with Polly Parker, PhD , head of Escuela Americana, to experience each floor, learn about the various collections, and appreciate overarching campaign to promote literacy and expand access to all Salvadorians. I even had a little fun with the Batman exhibit, experienced the meta universe, and controlled a dog robot that can be used to find people after earthquakes. Can't wait to return!