Hosted by John Mikton and Dan Taylor. Every two weeks we discuss all aspects of technology and life in International Schools.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Reflections from international school leaders on ethics, practice, and what the future may hold.
About Warren Apel
Warren is the Director of Technology at The American School in Japan, co-founder of the edtech startups Scholastico and Ecoballot, and Global Project Coordinator for the World Digital Schools Project. With over 20 years of experience in international education, he has served at schools in Japan, India, Egypt, and the Netherlands. Warren is a Google for Education Certified Innovator, Apple Distinguished Educator, and National Board Certified Teacher. A frequent presenter at NESA, EARCOS, ECIS, ISTE, Google, and Apple education events, he brings expertise in AI in education, K–12 cybersecurity, technology integration, data analysis, and teacher training. His mission is to improve learning through the purposeful and well-managed use of technology.
Warren Apel on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrenapel/
School Website: https://www.asij.ac.jp/
About Greg Clinton
Greg Clinton is the Head of School at the American International School Chennai. Before this role, he served as Director of Technologies and Research & Development at AISC and has taught literature and philosophy in schools and universities across Peru, India, Sudan, Japan, and the United States, including Stony Brook University and Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Lima. Greg is the co-founder of IB Score Reports, an educational data service used by over 200 schools worldwide. He holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy and a PhD in Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies. Greg is also a founding member of the global AI in Education Collaborative and leads the Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA) digital school project.
Greg Clinton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-clinton/
School Website: https://www.aischennai.org/
Resources
If you’re interested in tracking trends of which AI models are gaining popularity, this report from Andreessen Horowitz is excellent. https://a16z.com/100-gen-ai-apps-5/
Podcast episode with author David Yeager (People I Mostly Admire ep 160 How to Help Kids Succeed) (web link) It gets into how non-cognitive skills—like self-regulation, agency, and focus—are foundational to student success. It explores why simply limiting screen time or enforcing rules isn’t enough, and instead emphasizes building environments that foster long-term habits and motivation. His book 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier unpacks this even more.
It’s not hard to make the connection between top-down rules about screen time and top-down rules about using AI. If parents or teachers want kids to obey the rules, we need to give kids agency and involve them in setting their own boundaries.
Ryan Tannenbaum
The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't, by Julia Galef
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
Friday Nov 14, 2025
Friday Nov 14, 2025
About Ellen Heyting
Ellen Heyting is a passionate educator, researcher, and facilitator based at Melbourne Metrics within the Faculty of Education at The University of Melbourne. With over a decade of K–12 teaching and leadership experience in IB World Schools across Melbourne, Beijing, Singapore, and Helsinki, she brings a global lens to her work on teacher identity, instructional leadership, and assessment innovation.
Ellen holds a PhD in Education and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She leads projects focused on international networks, credentialing, and the development of complex competencies, and has delivered professional learning across school systems and sectors. Driven by a belief in education as a force for peace and justice, Ellen is committed to empowering teachers and learners to develop the competencies they need to thrive at school and beyond.
Ellen Heyting on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-heyting-phd-ab558a280/
Twitter: https://x.com/melbmetrics?lang=en
Resources
https://education.unimelb.edu.au/melbourne-metrics
https://education.unimelb.edu.au/melbourne-metrics/home/new-metrics-international-schools-program
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
Saturday Oct 11, 2025
Saturday Oct 11, 2025
Tools, insights, and conversations to help us make better decisions about the future.
About Adam Binksmith
Adam Binksmith is the Director of Sage, a nonprofit building tools to help people make sense of the future. His work spans AI explainers at AI Digest, and forecasting platforms like Fatebook and Quantified Intuitions. With a background in computer science, philosophy, and rationality research, Adam’s focus is on helping individuals and communities improve decision-making through better forecasting, representation, and reasoning.
A former researcher at Clearer Thinking and PhD student at the University of St Andrews, Adam now leads projects exploring how technology can support thoughtful action and reduce global risk. He lives in Oxford, UK.
Adam Binksmith on Social Media
https://x.com/aidigest_
https://x.com/adambinksmith
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sage-future/posts/?feedView=all
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-binks/
Resources
https://theaidigest.org/
https://sage-future.org/
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
Monday Sep 29, 2025
Monday Sep 29, 2025
Reflecting, reimagining, and rewriting life after teaching overseas featuring Audrey Forgeron and David Carpenter.
About Audrey Forgeron
After first heading overseas in 1990 for a short-term teaching contract in Ethiopia, Audrey Forgeron never looked back. Over three decades and seven countries later, international teaching became both a career and a lifestyle; one filled with rich cultural experiences, global classrooms, and summers back home in Vermont.
Now semi-retired and working as a life coach, Audrey has turned her love of storytelling and travel into a new adventure: podcasting. With co-host David Carpenter, she explores life after international education, sharing insights, stories, and inspiration for those considering new chapters—whether that means pivoting careers or embracing retirement.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aforgeron
About David Carpenter
David Carpenter brings decades of international school experience to the podcast, having started his overseas teaching journey in Israel in 1990. Since then, the landscape of global education has shifted dramatically with rapid school growth, post-pandemic changes, and evolving educator needs. David is passionate about helping both aspiring and current international educators make informed decisions about their lives abroad.
An experienced podcaster, David co-founded the Shifting Our Schools podcast in 2008 with Jeff Utecht and later teamed up with Dr. Mark Hofer for a second education-focused podcast, the Ed Tech Co-Op.
A longtime blogger and digital resource creator, David enjoys building tools and communities that support learning and well-being.
Working with Audrey Forgeron on their Educators Going Global Learning Hub & Podcast is, in his words, “a joy and a privilege”—a chance to share stories, explore big questions, and give back to the international education community.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidcarpenterportfolio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clubcarp15/
Portfolio: https://davidcarpenterportfolio.weebly.com
Resources
- Seligman’s PERMA+Model Explained: A Theory of Wellbeing - Positive Psychology
- The 24 Character Strengths - Positive Psychology
- Fostering Lasting Change in Schools: Four Factors to Consider, With Jim Reese (Episode 81 at Educator Going Global - EGG) - We apply frameworks in our schools and manage them through the change process. Think of designing your own framework as part of your plan for leaving international education.
- International Health Insurance for Expatriates and Global Nomads (Blog post at Educators Going Global - EGG) - If you choose to live outside your home country health insurance is a big deal.
- Health Insurance for Americans Returning to the US (Blog post at EGG) - This post just covers the basics so do your research!
- Health Insurance in Schools’ Salary and Benefits Packages (Blog post at EGG) - A cursory listing of the different types of health insurance international schools offer.
- Investment with Low-Cost ETFs and Index Mutual Funds (Blog post at EGG) - Find links to all things Andrew Hallam!
- Profiling Schools, Cities and Countries (Blog post at EGG) - This blog post and spreadsheet lists criteria when comparing schools, cities and countries that can help educators plan their recruiting strategy and when putting a possible retirement plan together focusing just on cities and countries.
- Going “Unglobal: Transitioning Out of International Education (Episode 72 at EGG) - A panel of international educators share their insights and strategies when pivoting from international education.
- What Does It Mean to be an International Educator? (Episode 39 at EGG) - Our guest Sandy Sheppard wrote an article about growing one’s self-knowledge of what it means to be an international educator.
- Leaving International Education - A Guide (David’s personal blog) - A blog post outlining a Positive Psychology approach to pivoting from international education.
- The OG International Educator Podcasters: Meet Dan Taylor and John Mikton of the ISP (Episode 42 at EGG)
- Educators Going Global Learning Hub & Podcast
- https://educatorsgoingglobal.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
Saturday Aug 30, 2025
Saturday Aug 30, 2025
Well-being and Leadership in times of change and complexity.
About Kristen MacConnell
Kristen MacConnell, Ph.D is a seasoned international school leader and lifelong educator dedicated to cultivating future-ready learners through joy, curiosity, and inclusion. Currently serving as the Elementary Principal at the American School of Barcelona, she brings decades of experience supporting educators and schools around the world. Kristen’s work has spanned leadership development, curriculum design, and instructional coaching, always grounded in the belief that every learner belongs and has something meaningful to contribute. With a deep commitment to generosity, authenticity, and continuous growth, Kristen helps teams build cultures where both adults and children thrive.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-macconnell-ph-d-08751231/
About Dan Kerr
Dan Kerr is a passionate international school leader with over two decades of experience in education across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. Currently the Middle School Principal at Saigon South International School and an Adjunct Professor at Endicott College, Dan brings a deep commitment to building joyful, inclusive school communities. Known for his relational leadership and belief in the power of positive school culture, Dan’s work is grounded in connection, care, and a deep belief in every learner’s potential. His leadership journey has been shaped by a dedication to student voice, teacher growth, and the magic that happens when schools are built on trust and shared purpose.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-kerr-b0a82520/
Resources
- The Shifting Landscape of Professional Learning
- Getting Better Together
- The Art of Community- Seven Principles for Belonging
- The Blueprint: 6 Practical Steps to Lift Your Leadership to New Heights
- Enacting resilience: Adventure racing as a microcosm of resilience organizing
- Transformative Wellbeing Leadership Certificate
- Blue Skies Leadership Podcast
- Thoughts On Education From An International School Perspective
- http://www.tieonline.com/
- TEDx Talk - Living a Life Well Lived
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