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Academy for International School Heads Conversation
I am grateful for the opportunity to facilitate an instructive conversation on Strategic Leadership: Advancing Belonging Amidst a Complex Global Landscape with the Academy for International School Heads (AISH). Many thanks to Sheena Nabholz and Jeff Paulson for the invitation and to all who engaged in this critical discussion.
In a world of shifting geopolitical landscapes, fostering belonging in international schools has never been more nuanced. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions—what works in one context may not be feasible in another due to variations in laws, customs, governance structures, and funding. While belonging and fostering inclusive schools grounded in dignity and respect are non-negotiables, effective execution requires strategic leadership and intentional change management.
In our session, we explored the challenges and opportunities of this moment, equipping school leaders with structured approaches to assess their unique conditions and make informed, strategic decisions that align with their mission, values, and external realities.
I appreciate the rich dialogue and thoughtful engagement. I am looking forward to continuing these important conversations.
Belonging at Scarsdale Public Schools
Over the past several weeks, I had the privilege of engaging with over 2,000 students in the Scarsdale Public School District through a series of assemblies and conversations on belonging and fostering cultures of dignity and respect.
On January 27th, I spent a full day at the high school, and on March 3rd, I returned for a full day with middle school students.
Across all assemblies—6th, 7th, 8th, and high school—I explored key evidence-based themes: the role of social media and technology in the lives of young people; the prevalence of identity-informed jokes that begin in elementary school, where humor is rooted in stereotypes or unkind remarks about one's background; and the importance of being an upstander. The students engaged thoughtfully, and I was particularly grateful for the opportunity to meet with the 8th Grade Executive Council to learn about their initiatives and hear their reflections on the assembly.
Beyond student engagement, I continued working with principals and administrators to design focus group questions that will help gather additional insights from the most recent Belonging survey. These conversations are essential in shaping meaningful action steps that deepen belonging and foster a culture of dignity and respect.
I look forward to continuing this important work across all seven schools in the district.
Many thanks to Drs. Drew Patrick and Edgar McIntosh for their partnership.
Penn Graduate School of Education
I am thrilled to return to my alma mater to join the Penn GSE International College Advising Certificate Program teaching faculty. I am equally thrilled to learn from other instructors, including Joan Liu, Erick Núñez, Isthier Chaudhury, Mark E. Butt, Ed.D., Marcela Mejia Martinez, and Dale LaFleur, Ph.D.
The International College Advising certificate program is a unique and valuable professional development opportunity focused on current international admissions processes and associated cultural contexts. The program helps college advisors, counselors, and educational consultants develop the skills to successfully guide students seeking higher education experiences outside of their home countries. Participants will gain a greater fluency of international higher education systems to better serve students and families in their school or community.
Honored to Return to Georgetown International Academy
I am honored to return to Georgetown International Academy in Guyana to continue our work in deepening belonging and fostering a culture of dignity and respect.
During this fourth visit, I facilitated focus groups with students, staff, and parents to follow up on key themes from our October sessions, ensuring that insights translate into meaningful action.
We also continued professional development with academic and operations staff, exploring unconscious bias and concrete interpersonal strategies to strengthen belonging among employees—while grounding ourselves in honoring and respecting Guyanese culture within an international school setting. Many thanks to the Belonging Committee for their feedback and insights to inform the session design and case study that we processed.
Parents are an integral component of fostering belonging, so we were delighted that over 40 parents attended our session to learn more about intercultural competency in the context of an international school, and specific parent strategies to foster empathy and respect with their children.
I am grateful for the ongoing collaboration and looking forward to our continued work together. A special thanks to Shauna Hobbs-Beckley, EdS for her leadership and partnership.
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.
Looking forward to EduLead 2025
I can’t wait to return to Taipei American School later this spring!
Video: Dr. Gay and Rosalind Wiseman at International School of Panama
I am honored to have partnered with International School of Panama for over two years, deepening belonging and fostering a culture grounded in dignity and respect.
I am also grateful for the visionary leadership of head of school, Audrey C. Menard, Ed.D. and excited to collaborate with Rosalind Wiseman in this important work.
Thrilled to Announce an Upcoming AISH Summer Workshop!
I am excited to co-facilitate a dynamic workshop with the insightful Homa Sabet Tavangar, sponsored by AISH - Academy for International School Heads, designed to empower international school leaders to navigate complexity, lead with courage, and foster truly inclusive communities.
A heartfelt thanks to Sheena Nabholz and Jeff Paulson for their leadership and partnership in advancing this critical work and building capacity for leaders to create school cultures grounded in dignity and respect.
Blue Skies Leadership Podcast
International educators, I am excited to share my conversation with Daniel Mendes and Dan Kerr on the Blue Skies Leadership Podcast!
Recorded after my two-day consultation at Saigon South International School, this podcast dives into critical distinctions between diversity, inclusion, and belonging, reframing these concepts to embrace shared humanity while addressing dignity infractions such that all are able to thrive and flourish.
The episode also highlights the role of families in nurturing intercultural competency and offers practical strategies for fostering truly inclusive school environments.
Join us as we explore strategies to foster inclusive schools where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected.
You may access the podcast below, on Spotify, or on Apple Podcasts.