The Voice of TIE Podcast

The International Educator (TIE)

“The Voice of TIE” is a podcast series produced by The International Educator (TIE) that brings the insights, stories, and innovations featured in the TIE Newsletter to life. This audio platform aims to deepen engagement with TIE's global community of international educators by offering dynamic, accessible content that complements the written newsletter.​

  1. Sep 8

    Rethinking Growth and Appraisal in International Schools

    Are we truly growing our teachers, or just ticking boxes? In this first Voice of TIE podcast fo the school year, the Director of TIE, Stacy Stephens sits down with two colleagues from the Principals' Training Center,  Scott Jackson, Head of Campus at the International School of Stuttgart, and Leanne Dominguez, Deputy Head of School in Kazakhstan, to tackle one of the most consequential yet under examined systems in international education: instructional supervision. Fresh off a summer of training school leaders from around the world, the three unpack why so many appraisal systems default to compliance over growth. They explore the tension between accountability and development, the danger of treating frameworks as endpoints rather than starting points, and why the best growth systems become almost invisible and are replaced by rich, ongoing conversations about teaching and learning. From the power of teacher-driven evidence to the critical distinction between commitment and compliance, this episode challenges leaders to stop winging it and start building coherent, differentiated systems that genuinely develop teachers. Whether you're heading back to campus or mid-year, this is the conversation you need before your next observation cycle begins. Show Notes: Bios: Lianne Dominguez is the Deputy Head of Senior School and Whole School Safeguarding Lead at Haileybury Astana, Kazakhstan, and a Filipino educator and international school leader with 19 years of experience across Asia and Central Asia. Her experience spans leadership and teaching roles in academics, boarding, admissions, university counseling, and start-up school development. She has built school systems from the ground up, pioneered teacher supervision and evaluation models grounded in international teaching standards, and championed student voice and belonging in school culture. Lianne teaches Leadership and Team Dynamics and Instructional Supervision at the Principals Training Center and facilitates the University Counseling course at the Counselors Training Center. She also visits schools for accreditation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and is a former mentor in the Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) Aspiring Leaders of Color program, training and supporting educators worldwide. A regular contributor to The International Educator, she writes about human-centered leadership, belonging, transitions, and reimagining school communities. Socials: linkedin.com/in/liannedominguez Lianne's Blog: https://blog.tieonline.com/category/lianne-dominguez/ Scott Jackson is Head of Campus at the International School of Stuttgart's Sindelfingen Campus in Germany. With over 30 years of international education experience across Australia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and Germany, he is a passionate school leader focused on student well-being, inclusion, and building strong learning communities. Scott believes that positive relationships and happy students are at the heart of successful learning. Socials: linkedin.com/in/scottejack

  2. Apr 21

    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 ‘Where is the Teacher’ Book  Kyle’s Podcast Kyle’s Website w/free Resources LinkedIn

  3. Mar 23

    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.

  4. Feb 24

    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/ Social Media: LinkedIN linkedin.com/in/liannedominguez

  5. Jan 27

    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

  6. 11/18/2025

    Getting the Job: Advice from Recruiting Experts

    In this in-depth episode of The Voice of TIE, host Stacy welcomes two seasoned international educators and recruitment experts, Tico Oms and JP Mallais, to explore one of the most crucial and often overlooked stages of the job search process: the interview. Both guests share insights from being on both sides of the hiring table. Tico specializes in guiding educators toward leadership roles, while JP helps teachers navigate their career options and next steps. Together, they unpack: The evolving nature of international school hiring The increasing importance of storytelling and evidence-based answers in interviews How to prepare “core stories” that can be adapted to answer multiple interview questions Practical resume tips and common mistakes that get candidates filtered out early The growing role of AI in resume prep, job search strategy, and interview rehearsal Techniques for mastering video interviews, from setup to body language and background How to authentically convey cultural awareness and empathy Preparing for tough questions like “Tell me about a time you failed” or “What are your weaknesses?” The power of curiosity, concise storytelling, and strategic questions to ask your interviewer Personal rituals and mindset tips to boost confidence before interviews Whether you’re a teacher, leader, or aspiring administrator in international education, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to sharpen your interview skills and stand out in a competitive field. Website: JPMint Consulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpmintconsulting/ Gmail: JPMintConsulting@gmail.com For Tico: Email: ticoomscoaching@gmail.com Website: www.omscoaching.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joseramonoms-tico

About

“The Voice of TIE” is a podcast series produced by The International Educator (TIE) that brings the insights, stories, and innovations featured in the TIE Newsletter to life. This audio platform aims to deepen engagement with TIE's global community of international educators by offering dynamic, accessible content that complements the written newsletter.​

You Might Also Like