The International Schools Podcast

Transforming Teams, Learning, and Leadership with Playful Principles.

About Liam Isaac

Liam Isaac
Director Of Learning And Innovation @ Seriouswork

Liam Isaac is a champion of purposeful play and its transformative power at every level. As the Director of Learning and Innovation at SERIOUSWORK, Liam designs meaningful, engaging, and joyful experiences using innovative tools like LEGO® Serious Play®. With expertise in learning experience design and systems thinking, he collaborates with clients to create bespoke workshops and training programs tailored to unique needs.

A professional facilitator with over 15 years of teaching experience at prestigious institutions, Liam helps teams gain clarity, spark creativity, and supercharge collaboration. Outside of work, he embraces the playful chaos of life with his two kids, crafting cardboard robots, flipping pancakes (badly), and living the role of pirate extraordinaire.

Liam Issac on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-isaac/

Resources
https://serious.global/ 

John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org 

Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt  
Web: www.appsevents.com 

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube 

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

Exploring the mindsets and strategies schools and parents use to navigate screentime challenges.

About Patrick Green

Patrick Green is first and foremost a dad to a teenager. He is also a digital wellness educator, keynote speaker, and consultant who helps families and schools navigate the complexities of technology in daily life. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher and education technology leader in international schools, Patrick now works with parents, educators, and students to build healthy digital habits and foster meaningful connections online and offline.

A former Middle School teacher and Education Technology Coordinator, Patrick led initiatives on technology integration, digital citizenship, and online learning while partnering with students, parents, and teachers to leverage technology for deep, purposeful learning.

Now, Patrick’s work centers on empowering families with practical, research-backed strategies for managing screen time and digital habits. Through his workshops, webinars, and upcoming book, he provides actionable guidance for caregivers seeking to mentor children toward responsible technology use.

Patrick is an Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Innovator, and YouTube Star Teacher. He is the author of Classroom Management in the Digital Age and 50 Ways to Use YouTube in the Classroom, with a new book on winning screen-time strategies for caregivers launching soon.

Learn more at WinningScreentime.com.

Patrick Green on Social Media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pgreensoup/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pgreensoup 

Resources
https://www.winningscreentime.com/
http://cmdigitalage.com/
http://youtubeclassroom.com/

John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 
Web: www.appsevents.com

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

In this episode of The International Schools Podcast, we delve into the world of international school recruiting. Join us as we speak with Pauline O'Brien, Director of Global Recruitment Strategy & Leadership, to explore the evolution and enduring aspects of recruiting for international schools. We discuss what has changed and what remains the same for both school leaders and educators navigating this unique landscape.

About Pauline O'Brien

Pauline O'Brien is the Director of Global Recruitment Strategy & Leadership at International Schools Services. An education industry expert, Pauline is passionate about global recruitment, leadership development, and fostering inclusive environments. Known for innovative hiring strategies and skills-based recruitment, she has helped schools worldwide find top talent and build diverse teams.

As a coach and workshop leader, Pauline supports school leaders and teachers in advancing their careers while championing women in leadership. Dedicated to improving child protection and safe recruitment practices, she sets high standards across the industry. With expertise in change management and delivering inspiring presentations, Pauline helps schools navigate transitions and create thriving, culturally rich communities.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulineobrien/  

Resources
https://eduplatform.iss.edu/s/iss-services 

John Mikton on Social Media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 
Web: www.appsevents.com

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

Using Innovation and Leadership to Make a Difference in Education.

About Francis Q. Hoan

Francis Q. Hoang is a veteran, entrepreneur, and technology innovator who has been a founding team member of companies generating over $600 million in combined sales and employing more than 1,200 professionals across AI, law, aerospace, defense, and government services. With over a decade of expertise in building and integrating innovative technologies, Francis has enabled teams across industries to harness the transformative potential of AI and frontier tech.

With 20+ years of national security experience, Francis has served in every branch of the U.S. Government. He was appointed by President George W. Bush as Associate White House Counsel and Special Assistant to the President and later deployed as the Executive Officer of a U.S. Army Special Forces Company during combat operations in Southeast Afghanistan. His distinguished career includes serving as Deputy Chief of Police and SWAT Commander at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and clerking for Judge Thomas Griffith on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

A graduate of West Point (top 1% of his class), Washburn University (Master’s in Criminal Justice), and Georgetown University Law Center (magna cum laude), Francis has also completed Ranger School and passed the CPA exam. His leadership extends to chairing the board of Allied Airlift 21 and co-organizing the Afghanistan Departure Group, which facilitated the first U.S. private charter evacuation flight from Afghanistan after the military withdrawal.

Francis has served on numerous boards, including MAG Aerospace, Marymount University, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and his insights have been featured in the Wall Street Journal. Proudly hailing from Tumwater, Washington, Francis speaks regularly on innovation, leadership, and service.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franceqhoang/ 

Resources

https://boodlebox.ai/ 

John Mikton on Social Media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 
Web: www.appsevents.com

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

A conversation with three global leaders shaping a collaborative global diploma option designed around agency, meaning, and wellbeing.

About Dr. Tami Canale

Dr. Tami Canale is the Director of Teaching and Learning for the upper school at the American International School of Budapest and is the past President of the European League for Middle Level Education (ELMLE). Bringing people together to work, play, and learn has been her passion for the last 30 years. Dr. Canale's work emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and the future of education, fostering environments where teachers and school leaders excel and students are empowered to shape their own futures.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/canaleteach/

About Patricia Podorsek

Patricia is the Deputy Head for Teaching and Learning at International School Nido de Aguilas. She has been a career international educator, having lived and taught in five countries since she began in the 90s. She is passionate about bringing high quality learning to all students and believes there can never be too much garlic in a recipe.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-podorsek-16354219/ 

About Melanie Kempe

Melanie is the Secondary Principal at the American International School of Bucharest in Romania.  She has previously worked as an IB English teacher, an MYP coordinator, and a Director of Curriculum and Innovation, all of which led to her passion for working collaboratively to create the pathways needed for all students to find joy and success in learning that matters to them.

Resources

GID Guide
GID Overview Slides
For more info, contact globalimpactdiploma@gmail.com 

Pathways Summit website
5 Ideas for Developing Real-World Thinking Skills, Silver, Boutz, McTIghe
Self-Determination Theory, Science Direct
Adolescents who have a sense of purpose are happier and healthier. How can we help?, UCLA
The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith

John Mikton on Social Media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 
Web: www.appsevents.com

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial