The International Schools Podcast

This conversation explores why meaningful change in schools is so difficult in a world shaped by AI, climate change, and growing uncertainty. It asks what schools need to change, what they should protect, and what must remain deeply human. Lee Fertig is Head of School at The Nueva School in the San Francisco Bay Area and has nearly 40 years of experience in education across several countries. Jeff Lippman is Director of Halcyon London International School and an experienced international school leader focused on student-centered learning, wellbeing, leadership, and meaningful change.

About Jeff Lippman

Jeff Lippman is the Director of Halcyon London International School and an experienced international school leader who has worked across the United States, France, Spain, and Brazil. Over his career, he has served in a range of senior leadership roles, including as the founding Head of School at Avenues Silicon Valley.

Jeff is passionate about rethinking what school can look like for students and teachers. His work focuses on student-centered learning, wellbeing, leadership development, and helping schools turn innovative ideas into meaningful and sustainable change. He also works with school leaders through coaching, consulting, and professional learning.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-lippman-35b68676/ 

About Lee Fertig

Lee Fertig is the Head of The Nueva School in the San Francisco Bay Area and an experienced educator with nearly 40 years in teaching and school leadership.

His career has taken him across the United States and international schools in Ethiopia, Brazil, Spain, and Belgium, including leadership roles at the International School of Brussels, Graded School in São Paulo, and the American School of Barcelona. Lee also works with the Principals’ Training Center and supports schools around the world in areas such as governance, innovation, student support, fundraising, and continuous school improvement.

He is passionate about helping schools grow, adapt, and create better learning experiences for students.

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

Resources

https://www.halcyonschool.com/about-us/directors-welcome 

Halcyon Strategic Framework - https://www.canva.com/design/DAHMEEgZcNs/l3tUVOAA2F-VoZGoUflvcw/view?utm_content=DAHMEEgZcNs&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hcdb9fe1767 

https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2025/01/trends-shaping-education-2025_3069cbd2.html 

https://jeffreylippman.substack.com/

https://medium.com/@jefflippman

https://www.nuevaschool.org/about/leadership 

https://www.nuevaschool.org/about/strategic-framework 

https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-digital-education-outlook-2026_062a7394-en.html 

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.appsedu.com 

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

Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com

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

What happens when AI can search, summarise, and think with us?

About Heather Caveney

Heather is an experienced educator and librarian with more than 20 years of experience across public, private, boarding, and international schools. She has worked with students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 in the United States, Mongolia, and Türkiye.

She is currently Head Librarian at the American Collegiate Institute in İzmir, Türkiye, and also works as a School Library Consultant. Her work focuses on research and information literacy, digital literacy, academic integrity, and helping students and teachers think critically about online information and AI-generated content.

Heather holds a Master’s degree in Library Science from Texas Woman’s University and is passionate about helping students become thoughtful, independent, and confident researchers.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-j-caveney-aa2b6257/ 

About Wouter Laleman

Wouter Laleman has been working as an international school librarian for about 30 years in libraries and schools in Belgium, Oman, Japan, Malaysia and Madagascar.

He is currently Head Librarian and Data Protection Officer at the International School of Brussels, where he also leads work around digital media and libraries. 

He is a founding member of collaborative reading and literature initiatives including the European Iris Award and Bookbowl and Sakura Medal in Japan. His work brings together reading, research, digital literacy, privacy, and the ever changing role of libraries in schools.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wouter-laleman-11277851/ 

Resources
https://www.linkedin.com/company/caveney-consulting/
https://www.aci.k12.tr/en/
https://www.isb.be/  
https://sites.google.com/isb.be/irisaward/bookbowl
The CARE Approach by Leo S. Lo
NotebookLM for Schools, webinar by Eric Curts, EdTech Specialist of Control Alt Achieve

Research:
Your Brain on ChatGPT, research by Nataliya Kosmyna et al.
“Experimental evidence of the effects of large language models versus web search on depth of learning” by Melumad and Yo Hun.
“A new direction for students in an AI world: Prosper, prepare, protect” Report by Burns et al, of the Brookings Institute.

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.appsedu.com 

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

Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com

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

Two educators, their aunt Audrey, and the story of her life and art they are helping others discover.

About Steve Weatherel

Steve has worked in several international schools in the last forty years and in many different roles. These days he's living in the Netherlands trying to make it as a writer, with projects such as Intense Colours, the blog about his aunt, the artist Audrey Amiss.

Instagram: @audrey_amiss 

About Kate Weatherell

Kate is a Mathematics teacher in London. After a long career in food as a chef, caterer, author and food stylist, she made the move into teaching.

Resources

intensecolours.substack.com
audreyamiss.com
https://wellcomecollection.org/stories/audrey-and-her-family 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7IIyKh4lpY
Typist Artist Pirate King Film 

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.appsedu.com 

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

Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com

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

How international schools can offer more than one post-16 pathway and help students choose the route that suits them best. It also explores what this means in practice for families, teachers, school leaders, and students planning for university and beyond.

About Sarah O'Regan

Sarah O'Regan is the Principal CEO of GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis, she has been part of the school’s journey for almost 15 years, including as a founding member of the community. She also serves as a GEMS Wellington Brand Ambassador, supporting collaboration, leadership development, and the sharing of best practice across the Wellington family of schools.

Her leadership focuses on helping every child flourish through academic excellence, strong pastoral care, innovation, and personalised learning. She is passionate about creating flexible pathways and inclusive school communities that prepare young people with the confidence, character, resilience, and skills they need for the future.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-o-regan-a054461b7/ 

About James Rostron

James is Whole School Vice Principal for Curriculum and Assessment at GEMS Wellington International School in Dubai. With more than a decade of senior leadership experience, he has helped shape the school’s curriculum, assessment, academic pathways, and wider academic strategy.

He is particularly interested in personalised learning and creating flexible pathways that give students greater choice, including both International Baccalaureate and A Level options. James is passionate about curriculum innovation, effective school leadership, and designing learning experiences that prepare young people to thrive in a complex and connected world.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rostron-79622959/ 

About Nicola Huggett

Nicola Huggett is the Executive Principal and CEO. An experienced educator and school leader, she studied at Oxford University before beginning her career in advertising and later moving into teaching. She went on to serve as Principal of two highly regarded schools in the UK before joining GEMS Education to lead Wellington International School in Dubai.

 

She is passionate about ambitious, well-rounded education that helps students grow in confidence, character, knowledge, and skills. Her leadership is closely aligned with the school’s values of integrity, empathy, and fortitude, with a strong focus on preparing young people for both academic success and life beyond school.

https://www.wellingtoninternationalschool.com/About-Us/Our-Team/Executive-Team/Nicola-Huggett 

About Robert Curry

Robert is Vice Principal at GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis, where he has been part of the school community for more than 13 years. During that time, he has supported the school’s growth and played a key role in developing its IBDP, IBCP, and A Level pathways, as well as leading timetabling, examinations, and data management.

Originally a Physics teacher and a graduate of Durham University, Robert has 15 years of experience in education and 11 years in leadership. He is particularly interested in future-ready education, evidence-informed school improvement, and creating high-performing schools where academic excellence, innovation, and student wellbeing go hand in hand.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-curry-31b058119/  

Resources

https://www.wellingtoninternationalschool.com/
https://www.gemswellingtonacademy-dso.com/en/
https://www.gemseducation.com/en/ 

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.appsedu.com 

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

Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com

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

This episode explores Jeff Utecht’s new book, The Next Turn, and his thinking on AI, leadership, and the changing nature of work. We discuss what schools can learn from this shift, especially around judgment, trust, human responsibility, and what still needs to remain deeply human.

About Jeff Utecht

Jeff Utecht is an educator, consultant, author, and speaker who has spent many years helping schools and leaders think differently about learning and technology. He has worked with more than 75,000 educators around the world and consulted with over 200 school districts.

Jeff’s work focuses on how schools and organisations respond to change, especially with the rise of generative AI. His book Human Still Required is written for school leaders and explores how AI is changing education, while reminding us that trust, judgment, culture, and human connection still matter deeply.

He is also the author of The Next Turn, which looks at how AI and different generations in the workplace are reshaping leadership and the future of work. Through his writing, speaking, and consulting, Jeff helps leaders think carefully about what should remain human in a fast-changing world.

Website: https://www.jeffutecht.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffutecht/  

Resources

https://nextturnleadership.site/ 

https://humanstillrequired.com/media/press-kit.html 

https://pod.shiftingschools.com/ 

https://www.shiftingschools.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.appsedu.com 

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

Do a full security audit of your Workspace for free at https://workspaceaudit.com

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