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Dear AISH Colleagues,
Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we’re filled with optimism and a renewed sense of purpose for the year ahead. January offers a moment to reflect on past achievements and challenges while setting intentions for what lies ahead. Together, as a community of international school leaders, we continue to navigate the complexities of our roles with resilience and a shared commitment to excellence. We encourage you to engage with AISH's offerings and share your stories. Let’s make 2025 a year of collective learning, growth, and success.
This month's newsletter contains a survey that we entreat you to take the time to submit as we continue to gather data about the current realities of the international school headship. Please gift us five minutes of your time and add your data to our research.
We look forward to seeing you at OASIS Day and AAIE!
Warm regards,
Sheena and Jeff
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Help us understand conflict in international schools
This month AISH is conducting a brief survey to gather insights into the nature and frequency of conflicts that escalate into crises within international schools. Your input will help us better understand the challenges school leaders face and inform our efforts to provide relevant resources and support. The survey takes just a few minutes to complete, and your responses will remain confidential.
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The Changing Role of the International School Head: What are the Implications for Recruiting?
A huge thank you to former AISH CEO Deb Welch, for her recent "shout out" to AISH. In her article The Changing Role of the International School Head: What are the Implications for Recruiting?, former AISH CEO Deb Welch draws on the AISH Professional Standards of Excellence and recent research to examine how these shifts are impacting the recruitment landscape. Deb highlights not only what Boards are looking for in candidates but also the evolving skill set required for leadership in today’s complex educational environment.
Deb's insights align closely with AISH's strategic direction. As AISH Board Member James MacDonald notes, conducting a gap analysis—not just understanding the requirements of the role, but identifying areas for growth—should inform the targeted professional learning AISH offers. As Deb aptly concludes, "The successful Head of an International School today must continue to keep learning and adapting, as new approaches to leadership are required to respond to the changing needs and demands of school communities." Deb currently serves, along with members of the AISH board, on a working group tasked with revising the AISH Professional Standards for Excellence to reflect the evolving skill set; look out for those standards -- and the associated tools and resourses -- later this year!
| | Annual AISH Events: Register Now! |  | |
February 3, 2025
The Barrie School, Washington, D.C.
Join us at The Barrie School in Washington D.C. for OASIS Day 2025, where the morning's program will feature the Babson Youth Impact Lab and UnconstrainED, led by Beth Goldstein and Craig Johnson. Engage in dynamic discussions on entrepreneurial leadership and the transformative power of AI in education—strategic conversations that are essential for your school community to remain relevant and sustainable.
Interactive sessions will tackle major challenges facing school leaders today and include a design thinking activity centered on embedding AI and entrepreneurial thinking to create the school of the future. Participants will collaborate in small teams to develop a tangible "Reimagining Your School's Strategy," empowering students, educators, and stakeholders to lead transformative change.
This impactful professional discussion is free for AISH members (sponsored by AISH) and $50 for non-members. Don't miss the opportunity to shape your school's future. Space is limited, so secure your spot today!
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July 8 - 12, 2025
St. Gilgen International School, St. Gilgen, Austria
We invite you to join us for a unique convergence of minds, spirits, and hearts at the AISH Summer Seminar 2025, hosted in the beautiful Austrian Alps and the extraordinary St. Gilgen International School.
The year 2025 marks a milestone in AISH’s journey—25 years of cultivating leadership excellence among international school heads. To commemorate this special anniversary, we will "Celebrate 25 Years of Excellence” through a program led by Homa Tavanger and Derrick Gay, promising a rich experience filled with honor, celebration, collaboration, and learning.
The seminar experience will represent a balance of professional learning and personal renewal, focusing on critical leadership topics such as well-being, the future of education, and board governance while also celebrating the multifaceted joys and challenges of international school headship. Engage in sessions designed to inspire and provoke thought while allowing time to unwind, reflect, and connect with peers and partners in one of Austria's most beautiful settings.
Learn more about www.academyish.org/summer_seminar.
Register
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July 14 - 17, 2025
Pickering College, Newmarket, Canada (outside Toronto)Attend this Institute and gain relevant, up-to-date information for seeking a headship at an international school. Using AISH’s Standards for the International School Head, you will obtain a comprehensive picture of the position and practice skills essential for success in the role. You will leave feeling more confident as an educational leader and equipped with next steps. We will discuss topics such as:
- What are the most important things that I need to know and how do I gain experience in tose areas?
- How is the headship different from a principalship?
- How does the process of recruiting for the headship work and what strategies have proved effective?
- What are the biggest mistakes that a new Head can make and how can I prevent them?
- How can I be an educational leader who leads with a mission for learning in every aspect of the school?
Register
| Upcoming AISH Network Member Events | Tues., January 21, at 8:00 am EST
Finalsite presents: Data Made Simple - Key Insights for Busy Heads to Attract Families and Staff
School leadership doesn't have time to wade through endless data -- that's where Finalsite comes in. With over 20 years of experience working with international schools. Finalsite has analyzed hundreds of school websites with tools like Google Analytics, heat maps, and user recordings. This session will highlight key trends shaping digital marketing and school websites, focusing on what drives enrolments and recruitment.
Discover where prospective families and staff are spending their time, where they're dropping off, and how to make your digital strategy more effective. Learn actional insights that will emposer your team to focus on what matters most -- without getting lostin the weeds.
This is a can't miss opportunity for Heads and their Admissions teams.
| Wed., January 22, at 8:00 am EST
College Board's Paul Sanders and Dr. Brandi Waters present: AP African Studies Webinar
AP African American Studies, launching internationally in school year 2025-26, is a dynamic and robust college-level course that introduces students to the rich history, culture, and literature of Africa and the larger African diaspora. In this course students develop cross-cultural copetency and interdisciplinary analysis skills, with the opportunity to earn college credit. This interactive session highlights the course’s design and essential components, instructional resources, and implementation strategies. Participants are invited to share their questions and feedback during the session.
By the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to:
- Identify core features of AP African American Studies that promote students’ success, such as highlighting Africa’s global connections, developing college-level skills, and relevant project opportunities that incorporate local history.
- Explore instructional resources and professional development opportunities that support AP African American Studies Students and teachers.
- Learn about incentives from the College Board to support course implementation and identify next steps for adopting AP African American Studies in the 2025-2026 school year.
In addition, the workshop will provide 2024-25 AP programme updates on new courses, digital administration of exams in 2025, latest research, global AP data, etc.
| Wed., January 22, at 10:00 am EST
UnconstrainED presents: Using AI to Help with the Evaluation Process
One of the primary duties of school leadership is the effective supervision and evaluation of their teachers and staff. Join UnconstrainED to learn how to use AI to help you with all acets of the evaluative process, including capturing key points from observations and post-ob discussions, as well as helping write your summative evaluation write ups. Reclaim time and energy by having AI as your partner and guide.
AISH members are encouraged to share the registration link with members of their senior leadership team and instructional leadership so they might participate too!
| Wed., January 29, at 8:00 am EST
Alyssa Gallagher from BTS Spark presents: MESSY Leadership
Join Alyssa Gallagher an experienced school leader, for a session aimed to help school leaders become more aware of how they lead, through the MESSY leadership strategies, such as making meaning, emotional connection, sensing the future, seizing momentum, and your presence.
The session promises to be insightful that will add skills and tools to your leadership tool-bag. AISH members are encouraged to share the registration link with members of their leadership team for their participation.
Registration Link - To Be Confirmed
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Founding Members Spotlight
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The mission of the Office of Overseas Schools is to promote quality educational opportunities at the elementary and secondary level for dependents of American citizens carrying out the programs of the U.S. Government abroad. The office assists U.S. sponsored overseas schools in the operation and expansion of programs that embody the best educational practices employed in the United States and promotes a mutual understanding among peoples through education.
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Full Network Members Spotlight | | TD Bank understands the unique banking needs of American International Schools. Our dedicated group has more than 25 years of experience--with two generations of Relationship Management providing innovative and convenient solutions for our schools in over 120 countries.
TD Bank is the bank of choice for American Overseas Schools worldwide, and all of their respective regional associations. Banking with TD Bank is an unsurpassed experience as we are constantly recognized for our exceptional delivery of outstanding customer service seven days a week, 24 hours a day. | | |
Reciprocal Network Members Spotlight | | College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. Our not-for-profit membership organization was founded more than 120 years ago. We pioneered programs like the SAT® and AP® to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need. Our BigFuture® program helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers.and graduate degrees to educators worldwide. | | |
Supporting Network Members Spotlight | | [bon]fire is a multi-disciplinary design and culture consultancy that helps leaders + teams shape purposeful futures together via cross-organizational projects and “works > in > progress” initiatives.
AISH Member Discounts:
- 25% discount -- up to 6 months -- for "[good]leaders: works > in > progress" executive coaching sessions.
- 20% discount for all-staff keynotes
- 20% discount for 1/2 day / full-day all-staff workshops.
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ChildSafeguarding.com offers Child Protection training to leaders, teachers, staff, volunteers, and parents working with children in schools worldwide. Our safeguarding training delivers universal baseline training to any adult in the school community regardless of geography, educational background, or language. Our courses are accessible through any Internet-connected device and are available in 30+ languages.
| | | | Clearpath EPM LLC is a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based company that partners with international schools to provide safety and emergency preparedness technology, consulting and training solutions. Clearpath EPM consultants have consulted with more than one hundred schools through the TOTALITY emergency planning management platform and the Safety Operations Support Center, and have done extensive work with the U.S Department of State’s Office of Overseas Schools in preparing their assisted and affiliated U.S. embassy schools to respond to disruptive events and incidents.
In addition to its TOTALITY platform, Clearpath EPM offers the Prepare My School* on-line training course for international schools. AISH members will receive a 10% discount on any in-country or virtual consulting fees (to include the Safety Operations Support Center bronze, silver, and gold packages) and a 30% discount off the first annual subscription fee. | | |
www.academyish.org | jpaulson@academyish.org | snabholz@academyish.org | office@academyish.org
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