IB Matters

Jon Peterson

IB Matters is a podcast (established in April 2019) which brings listeners content related to International Baccalaureate (IB) education. It is for students, parents, and teachers interested in learning more about IB and for those working in IB schools wanting access to pedagogical support for their teaching.Please listen, subscribe, and post a review to help us spread the word about the IB. Follow us on twitter @MattersIB and be sure to let us know what you would like to hear more about in future episodes. The podcast is hosted in Minnesota by the MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) but is intended for a global audience.

  1. 5D AGO

    Supporting DP students moving on to higher education with Leah Thayer

    Send a text Leah Thayer has spent a lifetime supporting people in transition. From her work in conflict zones, developing public health supports, and now in counseling students, Leah has been there to meet the needs of the people she serves. Young people exiting the Diploma Programme are understandably anxious about what comes next for them. What if they don't pass the exams? How do they find a good school? How does the school find them? How can teachers help their students find a match for their skills and their aspirations? Leah has some great ideas for all these questions. If you work with students as a counselor, a teacher, or are a parent of a high school student check out what Leah shares in this episode. At the end we talked about the new IB Matters project where we are recording teachers as they describe the IB course(s) they teach. This should help students choose courses they find interesting and are a good fit for their future plans. These short (under 15 minute) recordings can also help colleges better understand what the IB student brings with them as they matriculate to the university. If you are an IBEN member and a teacher of a DP course, please contact me at the email link. I'm also looking to record all aspects of the DP and the CP core to be included in the project.  Leah's Substack: Pathways, Partnerships, and Perspectives Leah's LinkedIn Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org Instagram (IB_Matters) Twitter @MattersIB IB Matters website MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website Donate to IB Matters Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing) To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.

    29 min

  2. FEB 13

    Leading in an IB School and beyond with Gavin Kinch

    Send a text Gavin Kinch has been on an IB journey which began as a classroom teacher and has led him to be appointed the IB School Leadership Council chairperson. Along the way, he has developed a philosophy of mentoring younger teachers through their own professional journeys. He talks about the 'classroom teacher' to 'school teacher' transition. Gavin is the Principal of ACS, an IB school in Singapore which has close to 200 IB graduates every year. As he says, there is a great team of experienced educators who have taken on roles as 'school teachers' to guide such a large group of motivated students. He also has a podcast (linked below) called the Global Ed Podcast to share stories of his school leadership heroes; those who have faced impossible obstacles and helped their students continue learning. Global Ed Podcast S1E1 From Kiev Gavin on linkedIn Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org Instagram (IB_Matters) Twitter @MattersIB IB Matters website MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website Donate to IB Matters Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing) To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.

    28 min

  3. 11/05/2025

    The impactful IB student with Arjun Malhotra

    Send a text The IB educational framework is designed to provide students with knowledge, skills, and attributes that will serve them throughout their lives.  Our guest, Arjun Malhotra, is a high school junior (DP year 1) who has experienced an IB education since elementary school. Our conversation touches on the many ways Arjun has developed his sense of place in the world, honed his academic skills, and initiated his strong desire to make the world better. He gives much of the credit to his continuum of IB education but I'm sure you will recognize that he has a strong support network of family, friends, and teachers to guide him. Links to connect with Arjun and his work: LinkedIn profile Arjun's non-profit 'Earth's 911' Instagram Email: arjunmalhotra2009@gmail.com  Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org Instagram (IB_Matters) Twitter @MattersIB IB Matters website MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website Donate to IB Matters Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing) To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.

    41 min

  4. 09/07/2025

    Growing the IB in Nepal with Maksud Alam

    Send a text Maksud Alam is a dynamic young IB leader working at Swostishree Gurukul IB World School in Kathmandu, Nepal. His school is only the second in Nepal to offer the MYP and one of 7 schools in Nepal to offer the IB, so far. There are several others in the candidate phase right now. We talked about the challenges and the rewards when building a programme from the ground floor in a new school, and in an area without many potential collaborators nearby. Maksud came to his IB coordinator position with experience as a PYP teacher so he understood the many ways an IB educator must rethink how they approach educating the students in their care. Our conversation touches on how he helps teachers and parents learn about the IB framework of education and the philosophy behind teaching and learning in the IB. Its always fun to hear how IB educators around the world share a common language, common struggles, and common mission.    Swostishree Gurukul IB World School Maksud Alam on LinkedIn Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org Instagram (IB_Matters) Twitter @MattersIB IB Matters website MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website Donate to IB Matters Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing) To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.

    30 min

  5. 08/06/2025

    Michael Dunn and what makes TOK special in the IB

    Send a text Michael Dunn, known as the man behind Theoryofknowledge.net is our guest on this first episode of our 5th season.  Michael grew the most popular TOK website on the internet, organically, from a wish to share what he was doing in his own classroom in Peru. It eventually became what it is today, a highly respected, and much used, resource for teachers around the world. You'll find teachers in all subjects using these materials to teach critical thinking no matter the age of their students.  Michael's dream is to have these materials used outside the IB context because the lessons to be learned span every educational system and bring lifelong value to those who experience this kind of teaching and learning.  I hope you are inspired by Michael's interview to explore the resources linked below. Many people subscribe to his free monthly newsletter and then checkout the mini-lesson samples to get ideas and to begin their TOK journey. Others become members to access the 20 mini-lessons posted each month and the classroom-ready TOK courses.  Michael has now added options for the non-DP teacher in each mini-lesson.  Main page Membership  Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org Instagram (IB_Matters) Twitter @MattersIB IB Matters website MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website Donate to IB Matters Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing) To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.

    42 min

  6. 07/18/2025

    The Journey to PYP Authorization at Smart Innovations School

    Send a text Returning guest, Rezuan Chowdhury and the head of his school's governing board, Rifat Abedin, speak about becoming one of very few PYP schools in Bangladesh. They detail the rationale from the parent's perspective and the process from the PYP coordinator's perspective. We also learn about the training their teachers have undergone and the plans for expansion and even future MYP and DP goals for their very new school.  Rezuan has been a regional leader even before his school's authorization. He has hosted free meet-ups with teachers from all over the region and even the world. Use his social links below to connect with him. He's been on the podcast 5 times now and is a great resource. Links: Rezuan's LinkedIn Rezuan on Facebook Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org Instagram (IB_Matters) Twitter @MattersIB IB Matters website MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website Donate to IB Matters Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing) To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.

    40 min

  7. 07/13/2025

    Towards IB for all with Phil Evans

    Send a text While this is, technically, a quickcast to promote speakers and vendors at the #IBGC2025 in NOLA, its really an introduction to the IB North Americas' excellent initiative designed to encourage greater IB DP and CP participation. So, please use the overview shared by Phil Evans and the numerous links, to begin exploring how your school community could embrace a philosophy that all students deserve an IB education.  Who wouldn't want a student-centered pedagogy with inquiry, intellectual rigor, research and concept driven learning and instruction as the overall system for their students and teachers? We also introduce Phil's excellent podcast 'Education by Design'. Check out the links below or find it wherever you get your podcasts. Links: School-wide adoption resources To contact Phil or Chad at IBO To explore the research on school-wide adoption Research on the value of IB education Education by Design blog Phil on LinkedIn Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org Instagram (IB_Matters) Twitter @MattersIB IB Matters website MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website Donate to IB Matters Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing) To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.

    15 min

  8. 07/10/2025

    #IBGC2025 Kognity: A native digital learning tool for IB students and teachers

    Send a text Continuing our series of quickcasts leading to the 2025 IB Global Conference in New Orleans, we feature Kognity, an IB partner organization. Chris Barres and Sian Steggles tell us about Kognity and their digital teaching and learning platform.  Kognity will also host a session entitled, 'Digital Dilemma! What do we really want from digital resources?' at 2:00 on Wednesday, July 16th in the St. Charles and Lafayette rooms.   Links: Kognity.com Free interactive trial of Kognity RSVP to the Happy hour on Wednesday, July 16th celebrating their 10 year anniversary Email IB Matters: IBMatters@mnibschools.org Instagram (IB_Matters) Twitter @MattersIB IB Matters website MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) website Donate to IB Matters Podcast: Education by Design with host Phil Evans IB Matters T-shirts (and other MNIB clothing) To appear on the podcast or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, please contact us at the email above.

    13 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

IB Matters is a podcast (established in April 2019) which brings listeners content related to International Baccalaureate (IB) education. It is for students, parents, and teachers interested in learning more about IB and for those working in IB schools wanting access to pedagogical support for their teaching.Please listen, subscribe, and post a review to help us spread the word about the IB. Follow us on twitter @MattersIB and be sure to let us know what you would like to hear more about in future episodes. The podcast is hosted in Minnesota by the MN Association of IB World Schools (MNIB) but is intended for a global audience.

Information

  • Creator
    Jon Peterson
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    142
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 IB Matters
  • Show Website
    IB Matters

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