Educators Without Borders – presented by SchoolRubric – convenes leading voices in education to discuss trends, news, and issues facing global education today. Our production team strives to outreach and connect with a diverse, knowledgeable, and engaging group for each episode and panel we assemble. Panelists bring a mixture of evidence-based practices, research-based knowledge, and personality to prompts and questions posed by a group of likeminded peers. One of the unique features of Educators Without Borders is that we truly believe that each educator shifts through different roles ranging from leader to follower, learner to teacher, moderator to panelist, and panelist to viewer. In this spirit, we create a community to engaged educators looking to learn from each other, connect, and improve outcomes for all students.
We are always looking for new episode ideas and passionate educators to join our panels. If you have any interest in participating in an upcoming episode of Educators Without Borders, have an episode suggestion, or are interested in joining our team, please email us at educatorswithoutborders@schoolrubric.com.
Lindsay Prendergast currently is a professional learning consultant at NWEA and a Framework Specialist at The Danielson Group. Prior, Lindsay was a Principal and Assistant Principal in international schools and in the U.S.
Julia Reynen is the founder of Clear Crossing Academy, an organization that provides programs and support for professional progress. Julia formerly an international school Principal with more than a decade of living and working in diverse international communities.
Saba Ghole is an architect and urban designer turned education and technology entrepreneur. As the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of NuVu Studio, Saba leads a innovation center for middle and high school students. NuVu’s focus on creativity and experimentation sets the stage for students to collaborate with experts on projects ranging from new medical technologies to interactive games to brainwave-generated music and art.
Ryan Sagare is an experienced K-12 teacher who has taught in the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Portugal. He has also worked in higher education at the University of Texas at Austin and currently works at Advanced Micro Devices as the Meet the Experts Coordinator.
Heather Wolpert-Gawron is an award-winning middle school teacher, coach of one of the largest middle school Speech & Debate teams in the country, and enthusiastic curriculum design geek. She coaches teachers in developing their own Project Based Learning units and works to help tech-tentative teachers become more tech-tenacious.
A passionate Servant Leader establishing and maintaining strategic relationships, networking with large urban school districts, executive level leaders and national educational organizations in an effort to fulfill NWEA's Mission: Partnering to help all kids learn.
Dedicated, innovative educator continually pushing to learn more while modeling the importance of making mistakes and moving forward with grit for all students. Using the right mix of passion and skills to communicate through writing and conversation, I always seeks to change the world one mind at a time.
Teaching aspiring principals, central office administrators and superintendents. Our mission is to develop and nurture reflective leaders of learning, service, and change in schools who positively impact students.
An instructional lead learner and social entrepreneur who (in the memorable description of Thomas Friedman) “combines a business school brain with a social worker’s heart” to make future generations take action on solving problems for the rest of their lives and improve society's well-being.
I am passionate about helping leaders enhance their sense of the possible - both in their own professional 'tool kit' and on the issues to which they've committed themselves. I have brought this passion to my work with international school leaders, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, corporate executives, and young people.
Chaunté Garrett is an instructional leader with building and district level experience in transforming schools. While teaching, she led at-risk students to high levels of achievement.
Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary education industry. Skilled in Lesson Planning, Educational Technology, Tutoring, Classroom Management, and Differentiated Instruction.
Amanda Borowczak Schmitter has an undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University and her master’s degree from The University of North Texas. She has served in GPISD for 15 years as a classroom teacher and campus administrator.
I have 18 years total of public school experience, and 13 years of administrative experience in class 6A, 5A, and 4A school districts as a principal and assistant principal. I am a recipient of the TASSP Region VII High School Assistant Principal of the year award for 2009-2010, and was nominated for the Region VII TASSP Junior Principal of the Year award for 2014-2015. It is my belief that an educator’s mission is to make school enjoyable and exciting – if students look forward to attending school, they will want to LEARN.
23 years in education. Having served as a US History Teacher, Coach, and School Administrator. In addition, to working with AVID as an Assistant Director of the AVID Eastern Division and Staff Developer.
Mike Gilmour is an author, leader and speaker originally from Cape Town, South Africa but now residing in Singapore. His passion and aptitude for leadership has seen him serve in leadership positions in both the corporate and educational sectors and these experiences have shaped his unique perspective on the importance of rapport within organisational culture.
Krista Leh helps educators create sustainable, scalable social emotional learning systems and communities.
A visionary, courageous, adaptive and inclusive leader who believes in the power of holistic education to engender the agency, competency, connectedness, creativity and authentic learning that is necessary for students to positively influence a peaceful and sustainable future.
Yong Zhao is a Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Education at the University of Kansas and a professor in Educational Leadership at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education in Australia. He previously served as the Presidential Chair, Associate Dean, and Director of the Institute for Global and Online Education in the College of Education, University of Oregon, where he was also a Professor in the Department of Educational Measurement, Policy, and Leadership.
Daniel Gordon is the high school and middle school principal at Saudi Aramco Expatriate Schools and specializes in managing enrollment growth, changing school culture, and maximizing teacher effectiveness and student learning.
Traci Browder is a trailblazer in education inspiring and mentoring teachers and changing the lives of children for more than 16 years. She was Teacher of the Year her very first year of teaching and was chosen as Teacher of the Year a few years later in her current district.
Sula Graham is the project lead at Holler UK and has former experience as an international school assistant head teacher and school improvement consultant.
Lindsay Prendergast currently is a professional learning consultant at NWEA and a Framework Specialist at The Danielson Group. Prior, Lindsay was a Principal and Assistant Principal in international schools and in the U.S.
Dr. Spencer Fowler is the CEO & Superintendent at The Affiliated High School of Peking University's Dalton Academy and has served in public and private schools in Chile, China, Egypt, Germany, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam for over a decade.
Lee Hole is the Head of Secondary at GEMS International School Dubai and originally from Derbyshire, UK.
Charles Williams is the Principal at Plato Learning Academy in Chicago, Illinois and the host of The Counter Narrative Podcast
Matt Jones is a high school teacher in California, father to two teenagers, co-host of the Teacher Saves World podcast, and author of the book "Helping Teens Succeed in High School & Life for Parents & Teachers: How High School Shapes a Teen's Future and What We Can Do to Help Them Thrive."
Dr. VaShawn Smith is the Principal at Grandview Middle School in Grandview, Missouri. Dr. Smith has served as an Assistant Principal, Instructional Coach, and has math teaching experience. Dr. Smith is also part of the AOS podcast representing The Realist Education Movement.
Learner, questioner, author, and always willing to talk shop about all things education!
Sarah Ko is an educational consultant and a Learning Support Teacher based in Korea.
Daniel Wickner is the Founder of Identity-Centered Learning and is also a Grade 3 teacher at Hong Kong International School.
Leah O’Bryan is a Middle School English Teacher in Massachusetts.
Writer. Educator. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Warrior. Practitioner-Scholar. Anti-Racist Educator. Abolitionist Teacher.
Dawn is a passionate and energetic educator who lives by the motto, “Relationships First.” Her enthusiasm for creating connections is infectious and she thrives on the opportunity to learn about the things that motivate and inspire teachers and students alike.
Claire Springer is SchoolRubric's Director of Professional Learning and also has experience as a teacher, instructional coach, curriculum specialist, and administrator.
Chris Irvin is a former Athletic Director and PE teacher who is currently serving as the MYP Principal at the International School of Shenzhen, China.
Ronald D. Lalonde, Ed.D., ACC, NCC, is the Founder and Managing Director of Riverspath Coaching and Consulting. Dr. Lalonde has researched extensively and developed applications of positive psychology to middle level education.
Dr. Jay Jones is an Elementary School Principal at Danville Public Schools in Virginia and is also a professional learning consultant with NWEA.
Marcy Corley is a K-5 Elementary Mathematics Coordinator in Frisco ISD in Texas. She is also the mom two active boys, avid sports fan, and doctoral student.
Experienced College Counselor with a background in College Admissions, Event Management, and Student Affairs.
I am the Senior Director of Advocacy and Advancement at FairTest, where I work to help ensure that standardized tests are fully understood and properly used.
Journalist. Author of “Game On: Why College Admission Is Rigged and How to Beat the System" Forbes Contributor. Professor. Researching excess, access & equity in higher ed.
Catarina Song Chen is the director of the American School of Belo Horizonte in Brazil. She has served on a number of advisory and governance boards and was recognized as a 2015 National Distinguished Principal.
Serena Pariser is the author of the Real Talk book series. Her passions in education revolve around creating sustainable systems, bridging global inequity in education, and sharing best practices to maximize student learning and teacher satisfaction and in schools.
Dr. Matthew Rhoads is an Educational Specialist, university lecturer on edtech tool instructional integration and teacher candidate supervisor, author, educational consultant, and researcher. He is the author of “Navigating the Toggled Term” and is a co-author of “Igniting your Teaching Using Educational Technology,” which is a book for beginning teachers using educational technology.
Steven "ÉTIENNE" Langlois is an award-winning teacher-rockstar and author of the #1 best-selling book "Rock Your Class."
Heidi MacGregor is a K-5 STEM Integration Specialist at Littleton Public Schools in Massachusetts.
Natalie Vardabasso is the Assessment Instructional Design Lead at Calgary Academy in Canada and is also the host of the #EduCrush podcast.
Ken O’Connor is an independent consultant who specializes in issues relating to communicating student achievement – specifically grading and reporting. He is a strong advocate for standards-based teaching, grading and reporting. He has been a staff development presenter and facilitator in 46 states in the U.S., nine provinces and one territory in Canada, and 22 countries outside North America.
Brad Latzke is the former middle school principal at Hong Kong International School and served previously as principal at Shanghai American School – Puxi Campus and American School of Doha. He has taught and served in school leadership positions at international schools in Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Qatar, China, and Hong Kong.
Tom Schimmer is an education author, speaker, and consultant from Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada). He is recognized as a leader and expert in the areas of classroom assessment, sound grading practices, educational leadership, and RTI.
Originally from Canada, Sarah Donaldson currently works at the International School of Curitiba in Brazil as the K-8 Literacy Coach and Elementary School Assistant Principal.
Dr. Wallace Ting is an experienced teacher, Principal, School Director, and University Researcher who has worked in Texas, New York City, Colombia, Guatemala, Nigeria, and Florida. He currently resides in Orlando, Florida with his young son, Phillip.
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