Are you thinking of recruiting for a school in Latin America? If so, how much do you know about the region?

In this episode we learn a great deal about Latin America by interviewing Mark Webber of the Webber’s Ed recruiting agency. Mark answers lots of questions like, “When is the main recruiting season? What are some of the less-tangible benefits of working in Latin America? And what is school life like?”

Mark Webber began his career in education as a Theatre, Debate and Public Speaking teacher in Texas and moved into international education in 2001 after backpacking the route of Che Guevara throughout South America. He has taught IB Theatre and served as a Director of Fine and Performing Arts in Venezuela, Malaysia, Sudan, and Mexico, where he decided to start his own consulting company, which quickly turned into a boutique recruitment company for international schools in Latin America in 2012/13.

Mark has continued his teaching of Debate and Public Speaking as the founder of the Mexican Debating league, coach of Team Mexico for the World Schools Debating Championships (2011-2017) and owner and operator of an online Debating Academy. Since leaving Mexico, he has lived in Colombia and Costa Rica and is now back in Mexico, living in Chiapas with his lovely wife, who is a Head of School, and their two little dogs. Webber’s Ed-Teacher Talent has been named the Best International Schools Recruitment Agency for Latin America every year since 2019, except for 2022 when no award was given.

Our guiding question for this show was: “What does recruiting for schools in Latin America entail?”

Some of the topics covered include:

• Approaching your Latin America recruitment focusing on individual schools and countries
• Some commonalities to school life
• Salary and benefit packages
• Nuts and bolts of recruiting in Latin America
• Trends
• Lots of “under the hood” insights!

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Webber’s Ed

Blog Post - Why Do Educators Come to Latin America?

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn

This episode was recorded on October 27, 2025.

Categories: Recruiting | School Life | Travel | Finances

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

How does your school support new students? Do your students lead the way as transition ambassadors? And wouldn’t it be great to have help with this process?

In this second episode, Lina and Amy unpacked SPAN's Student Ambassador Guide, which you can access to help incorporate the program into your current transition support efforts!

Amy worked for 17 years in Venezuela and Malaysia. She is currently the SPAN Resource Lead. She is passionate about schools caring for the needs of the full community and has integrated transitions care into her various roles. She has a B.A. in Youth Ministry, an MEd. in Curriculum and Instruction and is a Youth Mental Health First Aider. Amy enjoys meeting people, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Lina previously served as a Counselor and Wellness Coordinator in Chile. She is now working on her PhD in Psychology, focusing on suicide prevention in international education. Lina likes to explore the outdoors, stay active, and spend time with friends, family and her dog. She believes in the power of embracing our full humanity through life’s inevitable changes, which are also an opportunity for growth.

Guiding Question: “How can schools build or enhance a Student Ambassador Program rooted in positive transitions-care?”

Recorded: July 13, 2025.

Resources:

Safe Passage Across Networks - SPAN

Safe Passage (Book) by Dr. Doug Ota

International School Counselor Association - ISCA

Life Without Nico by Andrea Maturana

Amy: Finding My Voice, LinkedIn

Lina: linapaumgarten.com, Instagram, LinkedIn, LINDEN Global Learning & Support,

Categories: Transitions | School Lif

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

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

We all seek to belong. It’s a human need. If you’ve moved schools, you know transitions can be tough. Thankfully, the Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN) program, created by Dr. Doug Ota, provides a transitions care framework for schools. In this episode, we spoke with Amy Shuflin and Lina Paumgarten, developers of resources for SPAN.

Amy worked for 17 years in Venezuela and Malaysia. She is currently the SPAN Resource Lead. She is passionate about schools caring for the needs of the full community and has integrated transitions care into her work in various roles. She has a B.A. in Youth Ministry, an MEd. in Curriculum and Instruction and is a Youth Mental Health First Aider. Amy enjoys meeting people, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Lina previously served as Counselor and Wellness Coordinator at Nido de Aguilas in Santiago, Chile. She is now working on her PhD in psychology, focusing on suicide prevention in international education. Lina likes to explore the outdoors, stay active, and spend time with friends, family and her dog. She believes in the power of embracing our full humanity through life’s changes, which are inevitable -- and an opportunity for growth.

The guiding question was: “How can schools build or enhance a program rooted in positive transitions-care?”

Topics covered:

• An overview of SPAN
• Supporting arrivers, leavers, and stayers
• Reasons why schools need transitions care programs and practical strategies

Recorded: July 13, 2025.

Resources mentioned:
International School Counselor Association - ISCA
Life Without Nico by Andrea Maturana
LINDEN Global Learning & Support
Safe Passage Across Networks

Lina’s LinkedIn, Instagram, linapaumgarten.com

Amy’s LinkedIn

Categories: Transitions | School Life

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

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

There’s nothing quite as inspiring as learning from a great role model. If you aspire to become an international educator, our guests today—Hannah and Jared Keen—will truly impress you as they share invaluable insights, backed by their careful planning and resourcefulness. Join us to hear their story and learn what it takes to thrive in the highly competitive world of international school recruiting.

Side note: Did you listen to episode 87 with Diane Jacoutout of Edvectus in which she she shared tips for first-timers to international recruiting? If you missed it, do check it out: It wil set you up for this interview with the Keens.

Jared and Hannah have been teaching in US public schools for 10 years. Jared teaches Language Arts and Social Studies while Hannah has taught in Primary English & Spanish Dual Language programs across all subjects.

The Keens thrive on exploring new places and are eager to expose their two young boys to other education opportunities while also immersing them in cultural environments that broaden their worldview.

Our guiding questions were: “What makes you so keen to go global? What steps are you taking to become international educators?”

Topics covered include:

• Exploring the experiences, skills, and character strengths that inspired Hannah and Jared to consider international teaching.
• Reflections on how our “Thought Experiment: Is International Teaching for Me?” blog post helped clarify their motivations and readiness for this career path.
• Insight into how they developed a purposeful recruiting plan, including steps taken and resources utilized.
• How working with an expert recruitment consultant is shaping their approach and easing their concerns.
• Discussing their openness to various regions of the world, and how they weigh various options, including leveraging resources like our blog post and spreadsheet, “Profiling Schools, Cities and Countries” .
• Focusing on the needs of their young children while also honoring their extended family's feelings towards their desire to teach internationally.

Jared and Hannah’s LinkedIn In Information: Jared | Hannah

Resources Mentioned:
Is International Teaching For Me? Blog Post
Profiling Schools, Cities and Countries Blog Post

Recorded on August 21, 2025.

Categories: Recruiting | School Life | Travel

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.

Are you new to international education? If so, imagine sitting down with a trusted guide to get helpful tips on what to expect during recruiting and onboarding—and red flags to watch for. Someone with years of experience working with both teacher candidates and hiring schools.

Incredibly, we found such a person.

If you listened to our first interview with Diane Jacoutot of Edvectus, you are familiar with her candor and willingness to share her wisdom around recruiting. In this show, Diane led us through what can be a minefield for folks new to this process – and even, TBH, for international teaching veterans.

After a career in computer development at IBM, Diane got her start in recruitment bringing international teachers to US state schools. She has founded two international school recruitment companies including Edvectus.

Diane believes in ethical, transparent recruitment and founded Edvectus to solve the biggest problem she encountered: Teachers don’t know what they don’t know about teaching overseas.

Our 3 guiding questions were:
What can first-time international teachers expect during the recruitment process? We explored this in segments.

1. young educators with limited teaching experience
2. mid-career teachers with solid experience
3. seasoned veterans nearing retirement from their home country systems.

What common red flags should candidates watch out for during the international school recruiting process?

If a teacher lands at a school that is poorly managed or different from what was portrayed during recruitment, how do you suggest they address the situation?

Some of the topics covered include:

• What educators can expect when recruiting internationally for the first time
• Red flags to be aware of during recruiting
• The importance of timing when you apply to schools
• What to expect from onboarding and orientation at your new school
• Real-life examples of experiences teachers may face in transitioning to their new schools

Resources mentioned:

Diane’s EGG blog post on how the pandemic changed recruiting

Diane’s First EGG Interview “The Deets on All Things Recruiting”

Edvectus

Diane’s Contact Information: LinkedIn

Recorded on September 9, 2025
Category: Recruiting

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

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

As we head into the busy recruiting season, you may be asking yourself, “What is the current state of international school hiring?” Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of international education or starting to build your foundational knowledge, this episode is for you.

We’re excited to welcome Diane Jacoutot, Managing Director and founder of Edvectus, a leading international recruiting company, to answer pressing questions that go deeper than the usual approaches to recruiting. Diane shares what has changed — a great deal — and what remains constant in the ever-shifting landscape of international recruitment.

After a career in computer development at IBM, Diane got her start in recruitment bringing international teachers to US state schools, and has founded two international school recruitment companies, including Edvectus. She believes in ethical, transparent recruitment and founded Edvectus to solve the biggest problem she encountered: that teachers don’t know what they don’t know about teaching overseas.

Our guiding questions were: “What is the state of international recruiting? How does your company, Edvectus, support both educators and schools, especially with hiring for diversity?”

Some topics covered include:

• What has changed in recruiting and what hasn't
• General recruiting strategies that Diane shares with her educator and school-leader clients
• Specialized recruiting pathways tailored to British and Irish, US and Canadian, New Zealand and Australian educators, as well as by subject and level
• How both schools and candidates can best align with the recruitment calendar to maximize success
• The growing trend: Increasing diversity and inclusivity in recruitment efforts
• Climbing the "ladder" of international schools

Resources mentioned: Diane’s guest blog post on how the pandemic changed recruiting

Edvectus - Bespoke International Recruitment

Expatistan - Cost of Living Comparisons

Numbeo - Cost of Living Comparisons

Profiling Schools, Cities and Countries Blog Post

Diane’s Contact Information:

Edvectus

LinkedIn

Categories: Recruiting | School Life

Episode recorded on September 2, 2025.

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.

What is your plan for the next time you recruit? What stage are you at in your life and career? What experiences are you hoping for in your next school, city, and country?

To assist you in making this big, life-changing decision, we once again reached out to our trusted veteran panel of Amy Hunt, Rob Howe, and David Ross — this time to discuss how to make such an important life pivot.

Amy is currently teaching Psychology and Science of Mind at Nueva School in San Francisco. She left the US at age 25 to teach IB English in Ethiopia, where she met her husband, Lee. They taught together in Rio, Minnesota, Barcelona, São Paulo, and Brussels before returning to the US in 2020. Amy is also a yoga therapist who reads, loves murder shows and pickleball, takes hikes and cold plunges, and tries to coax her three 20-something children to fly the nest.

David is retired He began teaching in Los Angeles, then moved to Malaysia with his family for 6 years. He then took a one-year sabbatical with his family to bike across Europe, then taught in Vietnam for nine years. He enjoys SCUBA diving, free diving, playing in a band, pickleball, staying fit, and cooking. He is also a proactive investor and proponent of financial literacy.

Rob Howe is a businessman and international educator. He began his career in the technology industry. After a 1.5-year sabbatical, he met his wife, an international teacher, and decided to become one. He first taught for 2 years in Jakarta, Indonesia. He then returned to the USA, started a new career in sustainability consulting, and adopted two children from India. In 2014, he returned to overseas teaching in Lebanon, Zimbabwe, and finally Vietnam.

Our Guiding Question was “When putting your recruiting plan together, what are some key criteria to guide you when looking at potential schools, cities and countries?”

Here are some of the topics covered in this episode:

• Assessing your current stage in life/career, along with clarifying your values
• Creating a recruiting plan: Listing the criteria you desire in your next school/ city/country and doing your research
• Defining the non-negotiables for your search
• Unpacking numerous criteria from our blog post, “Profiling Schools, Cities, and Countries”
• Final thoughts and recommendations from our panelists

Resources mentioned in the episode:

Profiling Schools, Cities and Countries blog post at the Educators Going Global Info Hub

Recorded June 19, 2025.

Categories: Recruiting | School Life | Finances | Parenting | Transitions | Travel

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.

We have wanted to do this show for ages. We so admire women leaders, and some major players joined us for this interview! Kim Cofino is a well-known voice in the areas of women in leadership and instructional coaching. Madeleine Maceda Heide was a head of school on three continents and is a co-founder of the AMISA Women in Leadership organisation. Rhonda Norris is Superintendent of International Schools Group in Saudi Arabia and was a head of school in the Caribbean and in Asia, and Heather Naro is Head of Schutz School in Alexandria, Egypt. Their wisdom runs deep and their compassion is overflowing. This was a heartfelt, intimate conversation where the ladies shared their best tips for aspiring women leaders, with a big one being: “Go for it!”

Check out our website for the full bios of these incredible women.

Our Guiding Question was “What have been some of your most useful lessons learned as a woman leader in International Education?”

Here are some of the topics covered in this episode:

• Reasons for becoming leaders
• Pathways to leadership
• Barriers to women becoming leaders
• Steps to take to become a leader
• Advice not to take along the way
• The importance of mentoring, modeling, perspective taking, service, adaptability and more!

Resources mentioned:

The Association for the Advancement of Instructional Coaching in International Schools - AAICIS

AMISA Women in Leadership website

Carney Sandoe

Kim’s Website, Eduro Learning, book co-authored with Christina Botbyl - Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership

Kim’s Coach Better Podcast

Episode 82 with Claire Gaul On Followership and the Complexities of International Teaching

International Schools Group

Contact Info: Kim Cofino Heather Naro Madeleine Maceda Heide Rhonda Norris

The show was recorded on June 16, 2025

Categories: Leadership | School Life

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.