📝 Episode Description: In this crucial episode, host Mike P. and co-host Caitlin Darling welcome Dr. Cathy White, a specialist in trauma-informed practices and suicide prevention, to discuss the vital importance of addressing these issues in educational settings. The conversation delves into recognizing signs of trauma and distress, implementing preventative measures, and effectively responding to crises. Dr. White shares valuable insights on fostering resilience and safety among both students and staff.

💬 Quotes from the Episode:

• "For young children and for adolescents, the brain is this beautiful, malleable, plastic thing."
• "COVID was hands down a collective trauma, more for some than for others."
• "Teachers generally have a rule of thumb. Seven to ten times, I need to say this, seven to ten times in the classroom... for students to remember what we talked about."
• "Unfortunately, trauma has always been a factor in education, but it's definitely gotten worse in recent times."
• "It's okay to ask, 'Are you feeling suicidal right now?'"
• "You have to put your own oxygen mask on first before you can help others."

📌 Key Insights:

• The Prevalence of Trauma:

• • Trauma has always been present in schools due to factors like poverty, abuse, and family issues.

  • COVID-19 exacerbated trauma through social isolation and potential home instability.

  • Current societal issues, including environmental concerns and political anxieties, contribute to student stress.

• Trauma in International Schools:

• • Despite perceptions of privilege, students in international schools can experience trauma (e.g., generational trauma, neglect, lack of parental support).

  • Money does not eliminate mental health challenges or family dysfunction.

• Impact of Isolation:

• • Isolation is a significant risk factor, increasing anxiety and stress when students lack supportive relationships.

• Relationship Building:

• • Strong relationships are protective factors against trauma and suicide.

  • Relationship mapping helps identify students who lack connections with adults in school.

  • Small, consistent conversations between teachers and students are powerful tools for building connections.

• Responding to Suicidal Behavior:

• • It's okay to directly ask students about suicidal feelings.

  • Validate students' feelings and provide a safe space for them to talk.

  • Connect students with trained professionals (school counselors, gatekeepers, or community mental health resources).

• Supporting Educators:

• • Educator well-being is crucial for a healthy school system.

  • Self-care is essential for teachers to manage stress and avoid burnout.

  • Administrators should support teacher well-being through communication and offering relief.

• Compassion Fatigue:

• • The concept of compassion fatigue is introduced, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sustainable emotional workload.

🛑 Conclusion: This episode highlights the critical need for schools to address trauma and suicide prevention proactively. Dr. White's expertise provides educators and administrators with practical strategies for building supportive relationships, responding to crises, and prioritizing their own well-being. By fostering a culture of care and connection, schools can create safer and more resilient environments for students and staff.

More Resources

• Head over iss.edu to check out ISS website for events and more.

• Sign up for Moreland University to elevate your career as an educator at www.moreland.edu

• Join the community of professional educators considering the role of inclusion in the classroom culture at seniainternational.org

• Check out inspire citizens who inspire schools to live their mission of global citizenship at inspirecitizens.org

📝 Episode Description: Join Mike P., Dana Watts, Katlyn Darling, and Celiah Bunsie as they delve into a crucial conversation with Tricia Friedman about adapting LGBTQ+ support within international school communities. Tricia shares insights on creating inclusive environments, building trust, and fostering genuine conversations. This episode explores the importance of intersectionality, challenging norms, and promoting curiosity and understanding.

💬 Quotes from the Episode:

• "We are also talking about all students. Right? We recognize that identity is fluid and flexible." 🌈
• "Community can be like, I have a small group. I have a small circle, and that is my community." 🤝
• "How do you approach a conversation that feels hard in your personal life, because I have yet to meet somebody who has not had a difficult family dinner or a difficult coffee with a friend?" ☕️
• "What can I do to like? Queer as a verb, disrupt that notion of good listener?" 👂
• "Are you bridge building or moat building. And how do you know?" 🌉

📌 Key Insights:

• Identity is fluid, and inclusion benefits everyone, not just the LGBTQ+ community.
• Building trust is essential for genuine conversations and creating safe spaces.
• Understanding and respecting local cultural norms is crucial in international settings.
• Leaders play a vital role in fostering inclusive school cultures through vulnerability and active listening.
• The importance of critical introspection and how to continue to grow.
• The idea of conversations being a dance, not a line dance.
• The importance of understanding technology and how it changes relationships.
• Everything is connected and should not be siloed.

🛑 Conclusion: This episode provides valuable insights for educators and leaders seeking to create inclusive and supportive environments for LGBTQ+ students and staff in international school communities. Tricia Friedman's expertise and thoughtful perspectives offer practical strategies for fostering understanding, building trust, and promoting genuine conversations. Don't forget to connect with Tricia on LinkedIn and explore the resources mentioned in the episode. Like, subscribe, and share this episode to help spread awareness and support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in education! 🚀📚✨

More Resources

• Head over iss.edu to check out ISS website for events and more.

• Sign up for Moreland University to elevate your career as an educator at www.moreland.edu

• Join the community of professional educators considering the role of inclusion in the classroom culture at seniainternational.org

• Check out inspire citizens who inspire schools to live their mission of global citizenship at inspirecitizens.org

📝 Episode Description: Mike P., Dana, Katlyn, and Celiah dive into the transformative topic of AI in elementary education with guest Jason Prohaska. Explore how AI is revolutionizing education, strategies for thoughtful integration, and addressing ethical and safety implications. Discover practical ways AI can support educators and enhance learning experiences in the K-12 setting.

💬 Quotes from the Episode:

• "It really is a unicorn in education, in my opinion, because it's going to change so much in so many ways." 🦄
• "What does this mean for us in terms of our ethical use of it? And ethics includes, you know, the the other AI academic integrity." ⚖️
• "When teachers see the potential that they can offload some of the cognitive load that they go through every day... there's more buy-in." 🧠
• "Do the best you can until you know better. When you know better, do better." ✨

📌 Key Insights:

• AI has the potential to revolutionize education, similar to the impact of the internet. 🌐
• Ethical considerations and data protection are paramount when integrating AI in schools. 🛡️
• AI can help teachers offload administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on relationships and meaningful instruction. 🧑‍🏫
• Playing with AI and exploring its capabilities can lead to innovative teaching and learning strategies. 🎮
• Leadership, strategic planning, and professional development are crucial for successful AI integration in schools. 🏫
• Critical thinking and lateral reading skills are essential for students to navigate information in the age of AI. 🧐

🛑 Conclusion: This episode explores the dynamic intersection of AI and elementary education, offering valuable insights for educators looking to harness its potential. From ethical implementation to practical classroom applications, the discussion emphasizes the importance of thoughtful integration and ongoing exploration. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow educators! 🚀📚✨

More Resources

• Head over iss.edu to check out ISS website for events and more.

• Sign up for Moreland University to elevate your career as an educator at www.moreland.edu

• Join the community of professional educators considering the role of inclusion in the classroom culture at seniainternational.org

• Check out inspire citizens who inspire schools to live their mission of global citizenship at inspirecitizens.org

📝 Episode Description: Join Mike P. and Katlyn Darling in an empowering discussion focused on financial skills for women in leadership roles. This episode features Diana Rosberg, who provides valuable insights into overcoming financial challenges, building confidence, and achieving financial freedom within the unique context of international education. Learn essential strategies for budgeting, investing, and financial planning tailored to empower women in their financial journey.

💬 Quotes from the Episode:

• "We need to be empowering women, and women in international schools have a particular set of needs that is different from almost everyone else."
• "The fundamental problem that I see most often when my clients first come to me is a lack of confidence."
• "It's not nearly as hard as we've been led to believe."
• "They should probably be doing very similar things at different amounts."
• "When we make moves, we do really well. But if you don't get in the game, you can't possibly win the game."

📌 Key Insights:

• Challenges Faced by Women:
• • Lack of confidence in financial matters.
  • Navigating financial planning in the absence of home country support structures (e.g., Social Security).
  • Limited access to financial education resources tailored to women's learning preferences.

• Financial Strategies:
• • Younger individuals should prioritize consistent saving and investing to benefit from compound interest.
  • Financial planning is crucial at all career stages, with adjustments in amounts based on income levels.
  • Importance of financial literacy and seeking appropriate resources designed for women.

• Negotiation:
• • Women often under-negotiate their contracts, leaving money and benefits on the table.
  • Effective negotiation involves creating win-win situations where both parties are satisfied.

• Learning Differences:

• Women often prefer to learn through discussion, modeling, and guided practice, unlike the "bootstrap" approach common in many financial resources.

• Women and Finance:
• • Women tend to make better long-term financial decisions and stick to their plans more consistently than men.
  • Increased confidence is key to empowering women to take control of their financial futures.

  
  

🛑 Conclusion: This episode provides essential guidance for women in leadership roles to enhance their financial literacy and achieve financial success. Diana Rosberg’s expertise highlights the importance of confidence, tailored education, and effective negotiation. Listeners are encouraged to take advantage of the resources mentioned to empower themselves and take charge of their financial futures.

More Resources

• Head over iss.edu to check out ISS website for events and more.

• Sign up for Moreland University to elevate your career as an educator at www.moreland.edu

• Join the community of professional educators considering the role of inclusion in the classroom culture at seniainternational.org

• Check out inspire citizens who inspire schools to live their mission of global citizenship at inspirecitizens.org

📝 Episode Description: Join Mike P, Katlyn, and Dana as they welcome Tom Kaster, a seasoned educator turned data visualization expert. Tom shares his journey from firefighting to teaching across seven countries, and how he founded Datafied Classroom to make student data accessible and usable. Discover how his tools are helping educators leverage data to improve teaching and learning, and explore the challenges and opportunities in integrating technology and data in education.

💬 Quotes from the Episode:

• "I felt like there was... I was needing to get to a point where I was having to step away from the classroom, and... you should check out data dashboards and visualizing data." 🖥️
• "I think that's where the human touch of that is really powerful and really necessary." 🤝
• "We're still pulling out of the dip from Covid." 📉
• "How can I help teachers do the things that they need to do without giving them more work to do?" 🧑‍🏫

📌 Key Insights:

• Data visualization transforms complex information into actionable insights for educators. 📈
• Tools like predicted grade spreadsheets and standards-based grade books empower teachers to make informed decisions. 🛠️
• The integration of learning management systems and student information systems is crucial for holistic student understanding. 🔗
• Balancing technological innovation with data privacy and ethical considerations is essential in education. 🛡️

🛑 Conclusion: Tom Kaster’s work highlights the power of data in enhancing educational practices. By providing accessible tools and fostering data literacy, educators can create more informed and impactful learning experiences. Visit datafiedclassroom.com to explore resources and connect with Tom. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your educator friends! 🚀📚✨

More Resources Always include.

• Head over iss.edu to check out ISS website for events and more.

• Sign up for Moreland University to elevate your career as an educator at www.moreland.edu

• Join the community of professional educators considering the role of inclusion in the classroom culture at seniainternational.org

• Check out inspire citizens who inspire schools to live their mission of global citizenship at inspirecitizens.org

📝 Episode Description: Join Katlyn Darling and Megan Vosk as they dive deep into the vital role of self-advocacy in empowering students. Megan, an expert teaching in Vientiane, Laos, shares practical strategies for educators to help students confidently articulate their needs and goals. Discover how fostering a supportive environment can lead to increased student agency, independence, and self-determination. From role-playing scenarios to discussing real-world applications, this episode offers invaluable insights for educators looking to empower their students' voices.

💬 Quotes from the Episode:

• "Relationships are key... really having a good understanding of who the learner is, and what their strengths and weaknesses are, can really help." 🤝
• "A lot of students really lack the confidence to self-advocate. And they also are really afraid sometimes of speaking up." 😔
• "It's also knowing how to self-advocate in the culture that you're in." 🌍
• "I really believe that MUN is just an awesome opportunity for students to get more practice with self-advocacy, and advocating for different perspectives and opinions and viewpoints, and for democratic principles." 🏛️

📌 Key Insights:

• Practice and modeling are essential: Use role-playing and real-life examples to demonstrate effective self-advocacy. 🎭
• Address the social-emotional component: Build student confidence and create a safe space for them to express their needs. ❤️
• Cultural nuances matter: Be aware of and discuss how cultural backgrounds influence communication and self-advocacy. 🌐
• Provide diverse opportunities: Encourage self-advocacy through clubs, leadership roles, and community projects. 🚀

🛑 Conclusion: Megan's insights highlight the importance of equipping students with self-advocacy skills for academic and personal success. Empowering students to use their voices creates confident, independent learners. Don't miss Megan's webinar on EDUlearn platform! Connect with her on LinkedIn and Blue Sky, and check out her articles on Thai Online and AMLE. Stay tuned for more impactful discussions! 🌟📚✨

More Resources Always

• Head over iss.edu to check out ISS website for events and more.

• Sign up for Moreland University to elevate your career as an educator at www.moreland.edu

• Join the community of professional educators considering the role of inclusion in the classroom culture at seniainternational.org

• Check out inspire citizens who inspire schools to live their mission of global citizenship at inspirecitizens.org

📝 Episode Description: Mike P., Katlyn, and Celiah discuss practical tips for attendees of the ISS DC Fair. From attire to networking, they cover essential advice for educators looking to make the most of this opportunity. Learn about professional dress, CV preparation, interview strategies, and how to navigate the social aspects of the fair.

💬 Quotes from the Episode:

• "You never know what can happen and you can leave this conference with a new job in a new country and the exciting times ahead." 🌍
• "First impressions is everything." ✨
• "I would say my comfort because of who I am as a person. If I'm not comfortable, I'm not going to present confident." 😌
• "Networking during these fairs are very important." 🤝

📌 Key Insights:

• Professional attire is crucial for first impressions, but comfort is also important. 👔
• Bring multiple hard copies of your CV and update your LinkedIn profile. 📄
• Research attending schools beforehand and prepare an elevator pitch. 🏫
• Be ready to ask questions about salary, benefits, and lifestyle fit. 💰
• Networking is essential for building connections and exploring opportunities. 🌐
• Be open minded to locations, and job opportunities.
• Use the ISS staff as resources to assist in the process.

🛑 Conclusion: This AMA podcast provides valuable insights for educators attending the ISS DC Fair. From practical advice on attire and CV preparation to tips on networking and interview strategies, this episode helps attendees feel prepared and confident. Don't forget to use the provided promo code for free access to the EDU Recruit platform. Like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow educators! 🚀📚✨

The ISS EDUlearn AMA podcast explores the latest trends in international education, focusing on professional development, leadership, and innovation in schools worldwide.

In this episode, Rachel Hovington, a passionate advocate for teacher and student agency, discusses the role of communication in fostering collaborative relationships between educators and parents. With extensive experience in international school leadership, Rachel shares insights on building trust, navigating challenging conversations, and strengthening partnerships to support student success. This conversation highlights the importance of active listening, empathy, and professionalism in creating positive school communities.

Quotes from the Episode

• 🗣️ Building Trust with Parents: "Strong relationships with parents start with trust. If they believe you care about their child, they are more likely to listen, collaborate, and support the learning process."
• 🔄 Navigating Challenging Conversations: "When a difficult conversation arises, the first step is to listen—not just to respond, but to understand. Parents want to feel heard before they can engage in a solution."
• 🤝 Fostering Collaboration: "Effective parent-teacher partnerships are built on shared goals. We need to move away from a ‘them vs. us’ mentality and instead ask, ‘How can we work together for the child?’"
• 🧠 Empathy in Communication: "Empathy is at the core of all meaningful communication. Before making assumptions, ask yourself: ‘What’s their perspective, and how can I acknowledge it?’"

Key Insights

• 🎯 Active Listening Matters: Creating space for parents to express their concerns before responding leads to more productive conversations.
• 🏫 Addressing Difficult Topics: Strategies for approaching sensitive discussions with confidence and professionalism.
• 🤲 Partnership Over Conflict: Shifting the mindset from managing parent concerns to working together for student success.
• 📢 Clear and Consistent Communication: Establishing regular, proactive communication helps prevent misunderstandings and builds trust.

Conclusion
This episode offers valuable takeaways for educators, administrators, and school staff looking to strengthen their communication with parents. Rachel’s insights emphasize the importance of empathy, clarity, and collaboration in creating positive school-home relationships that ultimately support student learning and well-being.

📢 Join the Conversation!
Rachel will be leading an upcoming ISS EDUlearn webinar on effective parent-educator communication. The course is now available asynchronously through the ISS EDUlearn Passport or for individual purchase at $125. Sign up now at ISS EDUlearn.