-
Designing Intentional Community
What AIELOC reminded me about how community is built This weekend at the AIELOC (Association of International Educators and Leaders of Colour) conference at Bangkok Patana School, I experienced something that felt both rare and deeply necessary: An intentional community. Not accidental. Not performative. Not rushed. Designed. From the moment the conference opened, it was clear that this gathering had been built with a focus on care. The organising team deliberately began later in the afternoon — allowing time to travel, rest, work out, connect, or simply breathe before sessions began. That choice alone signalled something powerful: We value your presence more than your productivity. Community begins with how we…
-
Leadership as Inner Work: AIELOC and the courage to look inward
At the AIELOC (Association of International Educators and Leaders of Colour) conference at Bangkok Patana School, I was reminded of something I often debate (internally) — but do not always practice: Leadership is not only external work. It is inner work. It is the work of examining identity. The work of sitting in discomfort. The work of expanding language. The work of demanding (more/differently) of oneself. The Identities We Carry For much of my life, I have identified as an athlete and PE educator. That identity shaped my confidence, my professional networks, and continues to influence my approach to leadership. Recently, as I have stepped further into leadership and away…
-
Gender Equality leading identity at APAC
Super APAC Basketball: Gender Equality in Action This weekend, I travelled to Hanoi, Vietnam, to attend the Super APAC Basketball tournament for Varsity girls. I have had the pleasure of coaching Varsity and JV basketball for many years, but this season I have stepped back from coaching to watch my Grade 12 senior finish her school athletic career—and to experience the joy of seeing both of my daughters play on the same team – together. My heart is very full. My husband and I spent 7 years teaching and working at UNIS – it is lovely to return and see the school and the vibrant community. UNIS Hanoi is hosting…
-
Meaningful PE into Leadership
What would a PE teacher know about…(leadership)? Sometimes, PE teachers can be faced with bias and disrespect. As with any profession, PE teachers can be a mixed bag too. I have been very fortunate to work in schools where it is normal to be highly collaborative; to seek to be better professional every day; to have equal minutes in PE as students do in ‘core’ classes such as Math, Science and English and to have high expectations and support from leadership. I know that this is also not the case for every PE teacher, it is a mixed bag. In the quest to be better every day, I have worked…
-
Professional Reflections 22-23
Photo by Damon Hall on Unsplash Earlier this year, each teacher at ISB was asked to set some Professional Goals. You can read about mine here. I always find this process to be challenging. My reflections on this challenge are that prior to Covid, I had a very specific set of goals and strict discipline about it. This was clear in the training I was doing for 70.3 Ironman with the hope to get into my age group for Worlds. It was clear in the Professional courses I chose to commit to and the connections to the work I was focused on in our PE and Health curriculum and department.…
-
Microblog. Gender conversations.
“Is it a boy or a girl? Do you know, yet?” When I was expecting each of my children, this was generally the first question I was asked by anyone who could see I was pregnant. And then as people learnt the biological sex of my now-arrived child, they would comment on what they are sure I was hoping for in the next yet-to-arrive child based on a combination of the child they could see + cultural norms of the country we lived in. This resulted in some very curious conversations with clearly invested strangers. One older lady pulled me aside to tell me how lucky I was to…
-
Transition year – HS PE and Leadership
I have finally graduated to HS! With some recruiting challenges at ISB, and issues around Visas and travel, I agreed to move into HS PE this year to fill a role working 40% with Grade 9 as well as 60% working in the Office of Learning leading up our school’s re-accreditation process. I have been super pumped about both of these opportunities, but still took the time to check in with my two HS children, as I felt it was important not to cramp their style… and my MS daughter, who was sad that I wasn’t there for her to drop in on in MS PE but is still able…
-
Online learning May 2022 – Challenge
My professional practice this year has been shaped by Meaningful PE tenets and reflections which are also underpinned by Dr Kretchmar’s work. I am also using the Tripod 7Cs as part of our school’s focus on professional growth and learning practices. I have focused on the concept Challenge with my PE classes this last Semester and as our school moves back to synchronous learning through technology – it has been good to continue our theme through different lenses. PE classes (online) for our students focus on: Taking Responsibility – I come to PE class prepared for learning. I am checking my communication channels regularly and taking responsibility to work with my…