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When was the last time you paused to reflect on your life as an international educator? What lessons have you learned so far both in the classroom and from your experiences living overseas?

Whether or not you have taken the time to look back on your overseas teaching life so far, you are sure to gain some insights and ideas from this, the first episode of my two-part conversation with the wise, thoughtful, über-intentional David Carpenter as he reflects on his life, experiences, and “lessons learned” in his extensive foray into international education.

David is a retired international educator who started his overseas career in 1990. He worked at several international schools before finishing up his career in SE Asia. David partnered with Jeff Utecht to start the Shifting Our Schools podcast and with Mark Hofer to start the EdTech Co-Op podcast. David now works with Audrey Forgeron to co-publish the Educators Going Global Learning Hub and Podcast. David continues to live internationally enjoying his retirement with lots of art, adventure and travel. His biggest hope is to one day become a grandfather.

Our guiding question for this show was: “What are some of your lessons learned as an international educator?”

Some of the topics covered include:

• Methods and tools to reflect and document one’s learning
• Recruiting
• Transitions
• Raising Children Overseas
• Followership and Leadership
• Instruction and PD

Resources shared in this episode:

David shares so many resources and related episodes that we've exceeded the character limit here! So we've created this Google Doc with all of his helpful suggestions. Access it at this link. It is well worth the extra click!

David's Contact Information:

Instagram: @clubcarp15

LinkedIn

This episode was recorded on November 24th, 2025.

Categories: School Life | PD | Parenting | Recruiting | Pedagogy | Followership

Support the show

Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!

Email us with comments or suggestions at educatorsgoingglobal@gmail.com

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.

Listen on your favorite podcast app: connect from our share page.

Music: YouTube. (2022). Acoustic Guitar | Folk | No copyright | 2022❤️. YouTube. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOEmg_6i7jA.

Text us with topic or guest suggestions!

Advisory programs. It seems we either love them – or dread them. The same goes for our students. David and Audrey have encountered a lot of different advisory programs over the years and at various schools, but never one that is as comprehensive and as in tune with all of its stakeholders as the one at the International School of Bangkok. In this show we chatted with Andy Vaughan, Dean of Students at ISB and head architect of their advisory program.

Andy is a Kiwi who has been living overseas with his family for the past 20 years teaching and leading in South East Asia. Currently working as the High School Dean of Students at International School Bangkok, Andy was previously the Athletics Director at ISB and in the past has taught Physical Education, Science, Health and Outdoor Education. He is passionate about establishing systems in schools that proactively ensure we support student well being to ensure all students feel like they belong and are cared for.

Our guiding question was: “How can schools create effective advisory programs?”

Here are some topics covered in this episode:

• Definition and Purpose of an Advisory Program
• The Importance and Benefits of Having an Advisory Program
• Possible Settings and Locations for Conducting Advisory Sessions
• Key Participants in Designing the Advisory Program
• Scheduling: When Advisory Sessions Typically Occur
• Insights and Lessons Learned from Designing and Implementing Advisory Programs

Resources shared in this episode:

CASEL for SEL

RULER Approach for SEL

Geelong Grammar School - Positive Education/Psychology approach to wellness

Mario Platform

Wellness@ES - One approach to integrating wellness at the elementary school level

Supporting Episodes:

The Role of Dean of Students -- A Key Piece of the SEL-Academics Puzzle: Meet Andy Vaughan (Ep 83)

Fostering Lasting Change in Schools: Four Factors to Consider, With Jim Reese (Ep 81)

Get Well Soon(ish)! Laying the Groundwork for Much-Needed, Sustainable, Holistic Wellness Programs. (Ep 75)

Service + Learning + Trip = Deep Understanding: Creating Teachable Moments with Kimberly Haley-Coleman of GlobeAware (Ep 97)

Record

Support the show

Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!

Email us with comments or suggestions at educatorsgoingglobal@gmail.com

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.

Listen on your favorite podcast app: connect from our share page.

Music: YouTube. (2022). Acoustic Guitar | Folk | No copyright | 2022❤️. YouTube. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOEmg_6i7jA.

Teachers know great professional development when we see it. It resonates and makes sense. It is actionable, preferably right away. Implementing ideas from PD improves our practice and our students’ learning. We know it when we see it—but what is the best way to plan for it? And how do organizers, participants, and school leaders know it made a difference?

This episode focuses on the Project Zero Classroom Summer Institutes that our guest, Jim Reese, helped coordinate for many years. Before listening, we recommend our first interview with Jim for an overview of Project Zero and its mission.

Jim lives in Washington, DC. After a long career teaching in international and U.S. schools, serving as Director of Studies and founding the Professional Development Collaborative at Washington International School, he now works as a consultant. He has long been affiliated with Project Zero at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Guiding Question: “What are some ways to make the learning experiences at professional development conferences more apt to be integrated into the teaching practices of participants?”

Main Topics:

• How PD conference organizers can ensure better participant follow through in applying their learning to their practices
• How teachers can make the most of conferences and design a pathway to carry their learning into their classroom practices
• How school administrators can support their teachers attending PD conferences to make the most of their learning
• What professional learning might look like going forward

Related Resources:

Greg Moncada Episode 94 interview on “Appraising Teacher Performance”

Harvard Project Zero Website

Jim Reese Episode 81 interview on “Fostering Lasting Change in Schools”

Justin Hardman Episode 65 interview on “Teacher Professional Learning”

Washington International School Summer Institute for Teachers (WISSIT) Website

Jim's Contact Information: LinkedIn

Recorded April 14th, 2025.

Categories: PD | Leadership | Trends

Support the show

Remember to access our Educators Going Global website for more information and consider joining our Patreon community at patreon/educatorsgoingglobal!

Email us with comments or suggestions at educatorsgoingglobal@gmail.com

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.

Listen on your favorite podcast app: connect from our share page.

Music: YouTube. (2022). Acoustic Guitar | Folk | No copyright | 2022❤️. YouTube. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOEmg_6i7jA.