Advocating for a Culture of Coaching with Kim Cofino from AAICIS

A New Era in Job Seeking?

What does it really take to land an international teaching job in today's market? TIE's Stacy Stephens sits down with Mark Weber of Weber's Ed to unpack the findings from TIE's recent Getting the Jobs survey and what they reveal about a recruitment landscape that's changing fast. Together, they explore why being qualified no longer feels like enough, how extended hiring timelines are raising the stakes for job seekers, and whether shrinking salary and benefits packages are reshaping who gets hired. Mark brings on-the-ground perspective from years of supporting candidates and schools across Latin America, offering candid advice on career trajectory, strategic job searching, and what it really means to stand out in a crowded field. From the myth that "all the good jobs are gone by December" to the growing tension between technology and human connection in hiring, this conversation is honest, direct, and packed with insight, for both educators navigating the market and schools looking to attract the best talent. TIE’s Survey Findings [https://www.tieonline.com/article/8019/its-not-enough-to-be-qualified-anymore?nid=104] Webber’s Ed Job Search [https://www.webbersed.com/search] Webber’s Ed website [https://www.webbersed.com/index.php] Webber’s Ed Reddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/intlteachingLatAm/] Webber’s Ed Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/WebbersEd/] Webber’s Ed LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/webber-s-ed-teacher-talent-and-consulting/]

Student Voice at the Center: Students from the International Montessori School of Hong Kong’s MS Program

In this second Voice of TIE conversation about the International Montessori School of Hong Kong’s new middle school program, Stacy returns to speak with Kyle Wagner, this time joined by four Grade 7 students. While the first podcast introduced the vision behind the program, this episode focuses on student perspectives to better understand what the experience actually feels like for the learners living it each day. Together, the students share what makes this Montessori middle school different from more traditional settings, highlighting the role of hands-on projects, exhibitions, inquiry-based learning, and authentic choice. They reflect on experiences such as running a student café, pursuing independent study, presenting to others, and taking on greater responsibility for their own learning. Along the way, they speak candidly about growth in leadership, collaboration, confidence, resilience, and independence. Kyle also reflects on the realities of launching a new program, including both the challenges and the exciting momentum beginning to take shape. The episode offers listeners a valuable follow-up to the first conversation, moving from program design to student voice. It is an honest and inspiring look at what can happen when young people are trusted with meaningful responsibility and given the space to help shape their own learning experience. Show notes: International Montessori School of Hong Kong [https://www.ims.edu.hk/en] ‘Where is the Teacher’ Book  [https://www.amazon.com/Where-Teacher-Kyle-Wagner/dp/1032484713#:~:text=%22Kyle%20Wagner's%20Where%20Is%20the,solvers%20through%20innovative%20teaching%20practices.%22] Kyle’s Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/6REnIniktdqNDe31tAYjyH?si=6d29692fa3894b38] Kyle’s Website w/free Resources [http://www.transformschool.com] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwagssd3/]

Trends and Insights in Post-Secondary Counseling

This episode of the Voice of Tie podcast features counselors Sammy Jamal and Sam Caras discussing significant shifts in post-secondary counseling within international schools. The conversation reveals how recent geopolitical events have transformed student decision-making around higher education destinations. Key trends include students increasingly staying in countries where they hold citizenship, while US universities remain popular for highly selective schools. Students now weigh whether prestige justifies safety concerns around school shootings and the political climate. Anxiety about social media activity and visa issues has emerged as new considerations in this process for many international students. The counselors note growing interest in Asian destinations like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan, alongside European private institutions in Spain, Italy, and Germany. Satellite campuses of prestigious universities are expanding globally to meet demand. Students are becoming more selective about US locations, prioritizing proximity to family and direct flight access, a post-pandemic shift. Both counselors emphasize the need for flexibility in college planning, helping students develop adaptability skills while focusing on values-based decision-making. The role of comprehensive counseling continues evolving, with increased specialization likely as counselors navigate an increasingly complex global landscape for students' post-secondary pathways.

TIE Blogger - Lianne Dominguez on Human-Centered Leadership in International Education

Join host Stacy Stephens, the Director of TIE as she sits down with Lianne Dominguez, senior leader at an international school in Astana, Kazakhstan, and prolific education blogger, for an insightful conversation about belonging, leadership, and the future of international schools. Lianne's unique perspective stems from attending nine schools as a student, experiences that shaped her deep commitment to ensuring every student and staff member feels they belong. With 18 years in international education—spanning roles from teacher to admissions director, residential life director, secondary principal, and designated safeguarding lead—Lianne brings systems thinking to complex educational challenges. In this episode, Lianne discusses her writing process and the "stakes in the ground" she plants through her blog: the critical importance of professional standards for teachers, human-centered leadership, and putting students at the center of everything schools do. She explores why international schools struggle with difficult conversations, arguing that the business complexity of these institutions sometimes overshadows their human-centered mission. The conversation delves into how COVID fundamentally shifted school cultures, making education more complex than ever. Lianne advocates for leaders to embrace human-centered approaches rather than control-based management as the path to sustainable progress. Looking ahead, Lianne shares exciting upcoming blog topics, including how AI is creating "infinite minds" in classrooms, Kazakhstan's unique position as a fertile ground for educational innovation in the post-Soviet context, and continued exploration of professional standards and staff wellbeing. Whether you're an international school leader, teacher considering overseas opportunities, or education professional passionate about belonging and student-centered learning, this conversation offers valuable insights into creating more human-centered educational communities. Show notes: Lianne's TIE Blog https://blog.tieonline.com/category/lianne-dominguez/ [https://blog.tieonline.com/category/lianne-dominguez/] Social Media: LinkedIN linkedin.com/in/liannedominguez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liannedominguez]

Advocating for a Culture of Coaching with Kim Cofino from AAICIS

In this episode of The Voice of TIE, host Stacy Stephens sits down with educational consultant and international coaching advocate Kim Cofino to dive deep into the evolving role of instructional coaching in international schools. Kim, founder of the Association for the Advancement of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (AAICIS), shares the journey and the growing movement to reframe coaching as a strategic driver of school culture and student learning, not just a job title. Together, they explore: * The origin story of AACIS and why international schools need a coaching-focused organization * The critical role of administrators in supporting and aligning with instructional coaches * The distinction between instructional coaching vs. generic or poorly defined coaching models * The measurable impact of coaching on professional growth, teacher efficacy, and student learning * The development of internationally-specific coaching standards, and how they help define the profession and support career navigation * How coaching can act as a strategic lever to meet broader school improvement goals * Insights from research and a landscape study into what successful coaching looks like in diverse school contexts * The importance of community and professional identity for coaches working in isolated or niche roles Kim also previews what’s next for AAICIS, including expanding research, conferences, school support tools, and continued advocacy for a clearly defined and deeply impactful instructional coaching culture. Show notes: AAICIS - https://aaicis.org/ On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaicis/posts/?feedView=all