In this episode of the International Teacher Podcast, hosts Kent and JP welcome Arlayna Alcock, an expert in career coaching and support for international students. Arlayna shares her journey from being an international student in Mexico City to her current role in Canada, where she helps newcomers navigate the complexities of education and career transitions. The conversation covers cultural adjustments, the importance of resumes and CVs, the demand for international students, and the challenges they face in adapting to a new environment. Arlayna emphasizes the positive contributions of newcomers to Canadian society and the support systems available to help them succeed. Takeaways Arlayna's journey began as an international student in Mexico City. Cultural adjustments can be challenging for newcomers. Career transitions are a significant focus for Arlayna's work. Internationally trained professionals face unique challenges in Canada. Resumes and CVs differ significantly in format and expectations. Canada has a high demand for international students. Newcomers often struggle with housing and job placement. Cultural contributions from immigrants enrich Canadian society. Support systems for international students have improved over the years. It takes time for newcomers to fully transition into Canadian life. Personal Website: https://arlaynaalcock.com Linked in: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/arlaynaalcock College Website: https://bowvalleycollege.ca

In this engaging conversation, the hosts discuss various themes surrounding international teaching, cultural integration, and personal experiences. Giselle shares her journey from a design career to teaching in Morocco, emphasizing the importance of connecting with local communities. The conversation also delves into her passion for animal rescue, the challenges of caring for aging parents abroad, and the significance of building friendships with locals. Throughout the discussion, the hosts reflect on their own experiences and the lessons learned from living and working in different countries.
Here are a few quick "take-a-ways": Giselle transitioned from a design career to teaching abroad. Cultural integration is crucial for a fulfilling expatriate experience. Building friendships with locals enriches the teaching experience. Animal rescue is a significant issue in Morocco. Caring for aging parents can be challenging for expatriates. Community support is vital for animal welfare initiatives. Personal connections enhance the expatriate experience. Navigating the complexities of international living requires adaptability. Sharing personal stories fosters understanding and connection.

In this conversation, Greg, JP, and Tico discuss Tico's journey from engineering to teaching and leadership in international schools. Tico shares his experiences teaching in Japan, working for Dell in Asia, and his decision to pursue a career in education. They also touch on Tico's time in Berlin and his transition into leadership coaching. The conversation highlights the importance of following one's passion and the value of mentorship and self-reflection. Tico Oms shares his journey from teaching math to becoming a leader in international schools. He initially taught math but was offered a position to teach business at Singapore American School, which he accepted. He then became the head of department for a diverse range of subjects and later took on the role of managing the school's trips program.

Tico also had the opportunity to visit innovative schools around the world and bring back ideas to implement at his school. He eventually transitioned into leadership roles at International School Bangkok and International School Basel. Tico Oms shares his experience as an international educator and leader of color, highlighting the importance of taking opportunities and trying new things. He discusses his role in the Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) and the impact they are making in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in international schools. Tico also emphasizes the value of meaningful work and maintaining connections in the international education community.

Links:

Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) - https://aieloc.org/ The Diversity Collective - https://thediversitycollective.org International Schools Services - https://www.iss.edu/ International School Bangkok - https://www.isb.ac.th/

International School of Basel - https://www.isbasel.ch/

Across Oceans Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/across-oceans/id1610506371

International Teacher Podcast Episode 102 features the fantastic Greg Larmouth out of Newcastle, UK. In this conversation, the hosts discuss various topics including their morning routines, technical difficulties, and their experiences with international teaching. They introduce their guest, Greg Larmouth, who works in the International Teacher Training team at the University of Sunderland. They explore the concept of the International Qualified Teacher Status (IQTS) and its benefits for teachers looking to work abroad. They also touch on the British Schools Overseas (BSO) accreditation and the recognition of the IQTS in different countries. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the practical aspects of the teacher training program, including the role of classroom experience and portfolio building. In this part of the conversation, Greg Larmouth discusses the support and supervision provided to trainee teachers in the University of Sunderland's international teaching program. He mentions the requirement for schools to provide mentors and the role of professional practice tutors who observe trainee teachers. Greg also shares his experiences visiting schools in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Muscat. The conversation then shifts to a discussion about the University of Sunderland and the city of Newcastle, including the rivalry between Newcastle and Sunderland. Greg also talks about his podcast, SUNRAE, which features research and experiences of trainee teachers.

SunRAE Podcast Link - https://open.spotify.com/show/5mdgxLzD3eHWiXtoynBQOG

On this first Vodcast episode of the International Teacher Podcast, Dr. Hayley Watson, a clinical psychologist, discusses the importance of mental health education in schools and how to support students in developing mental health skills. She emphasizes the need for a whole-school approach, where mental health programs are implemented for all students, not just those who are struggling. Dr. Watson provides strategies for teachers to validate students' feelings, empower them to find solutions, and follow up with them after a difficult situation. She also introduces her book, 'Finding the Words,' which offers practical guidance and real-life dialogues to help teachers navigate challenging conversations with students. In this conversation, Dr. Hayley Watson discusses the importance of guided conversations in empowering struggling students. She emphasizes the need for teachers to have a template for conversations and the importance of practicing and stumbling along the way. Dr. Watson also addresses the pushback against social-emotional learning in schools and highlights the need for a cultural shift in how we approach mental health. She emphasizes the importance of providing resources for parents and creating a school environment that values mental health. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the challenges and benefits of implementing social-emotional learning programs in international schools. Dr. Watson is also the founder of the program called Open Parachute. https://openparachuteschools.com

Fresh off the summer break, Kent the Cat guy has some bad news and Greg the Single guy has international worlds colliding. Meanwhile, JP crosses the Canadian-US border for a quick meal at the famous "Dirty Gringo" in New York and a Diet Mt.Dew run.

Your three hosts celebrate the ITP 100th episode by looking to the future and making a big announcement that starts on episode 101. Listen in and have some fun.

Hannah and Jake recorded this episode with us while they were at home in Iowa over summer break. They currently live and teach in Kuwait with plenty of stories to tell!
Their message for teachers thinking about overseas: Do it!
Even the scary, negative experiences make for great stories later in life. Join us for an exciting episode covering Brazil, Kuwait, and the differences between having a baby in Kuwait vs the USA. Stick around to the end. Their Covid baby escape story is unbelievable!
You can follow them on their instagram handle:
thatexpatfamily (yes, that's a live link)

Cameron and Ana McGregor are seasoned international educators, podcast hosts, and webinar creators. They join us for a discussion about their journeys into international education and how they are giving back to our international teacher community.
Ana is originally from the Dominican Republic. Cam is from Washington State. They talk about Russia, Dominican Republic, China, Korea, Hawaii, and Saudi in International Schools.
Fun fact: two days after recording this episode, Greg was sitting directly behind Cam and Ana on a plane to Dubai. Then, Kent ran into them in Dubai a few days later and sat on the same plane all the way to Seattle. Small world.

Here are the ways you can enjoy and learn from the McGregors' experiences:

Their website: nomadicgregors.com

Their podcast on ApplePodcasts

Sign up for their intro course to start.

X account: @nomadicgregors