How do you know if a school abroad is showing you the real story or just the shiny version created for marketing?

In this episode, we talk through the digital world of international schools and how families and educators can read websites, social feeds, and online messaging with a critical but curious eye. We explore what each section of a school website actually reveals, how the Instagram effect shapes first impressions, and what silence or missing information tells you about leadership and culture. We also unpack how to evaluate authenticity across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn, while keeping in mind the realities of privacy laws, staffing, and regional differences.

We share strategies for verifying a school’s identity from afar, including how to check accreditation, how to interpret tone, and how to ask the right questions. Whether you are preparing to teach abroad, choosing an international school for your child, or comparing offers across countries, this conversation will help you understand the human stories behind the pixels.

Inside the episode:

• How to interpret school websites beyond the marketing
• What social media reveals about school culture
• The Instagram effect and the polished narrative
• Reading tone, transparency, and leadership presence
• Using accreditation, LinkedIn, and community feedback wisely
• What missing information might be telling you

If you are exploring international teacher resources, comparing international school contracts, or searching for a global educator network that helps you prepare for teaching abroad, this episode will guide you toward more confident decision making.

🔗 Links & Resources

🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at:⁠ https://connectedglobal.org

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊

https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/

💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

Understanding an international school contract can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re comparing countries, currencies, benefits, and legal protections. In this Teacher Toolbox episode, we break down what international teaching contracts typically include, what varies across regions, and where teachers realistically can and cannot negotiate. We walk through salary scales, bilingual contracts, housing and flight benefits, notice periods, and the clauses that matter most — so you can prepare confidently for your next move abroad.

Inside the episode:

• What to expect in international school contracts across school types
• Where negotiation is possible (and where it usually isn’t)
• Key clauses teachers should look for when moving abroad
• How regional differences shape your offer and benefits package

If you’re getting ready to teach overseas, comparing offers, or trying to understand your next steps in the hiring process, this episode will help you approach your contract with clarity and confidence.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📌School Tiers Explained Guide: https://connectedglobal.org/product/school-tiers-explained/?v=9c049173fad5

📌Common Clauses in Comprehensive School Contracts

https://connectedglobal.org/product/common-clauses-in-comprehensive-school-contracts/?v=9c049173fad5

🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at:⁠⁠ https://connectedglobal.org

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊

https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/

💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

International education is changing fast, and what teachers need to know before moving abroad looks very different than it did even a few years ago. In this Insider Voices episode, we talk with longtime international educator and consultant Kirsten Durward, who shares candid insights about the realities of teaching overseas today. We explore what makes a great international school, how leadership and school culture shape the educator experience, and the growing impact of recruitment trends, entitlement cultures, and shifting financial expectations across countries.

Inside the episode

• What great schools prioritize in teaching and learning
• How international hiring has changed and what recruiters value now
• Why evidence of impact matters more than passion statements
• How teacher entitlement and anonymity are reshaping online communities
• The financial planning all educators should consider before moving abroad

Whether you’re preparing for your first international move or thinking about your next step, Kirsten’s perspective will help you navigate the evolving landscape of teaching abroad with clarity, confidence, and a stronger sense of what to look for in your next school community.

🔗 Links & Resources

📌Kirsten’s FB Group: International School Jobs and Recruitment Chat: https://www.facebook.com/groups/361913421263770

📌Kirsten’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-durward-805a7528/

📌Edblana Learning:https://eblanalearning.com/

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊

https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/

💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at: https://connectedglobal.org

Recruiting season is here, but how do you find international teaching jobs without burning out or second guessing every decision?

In this Teacher Toolbox episode, we break down a practical teaching abroad guide for your entire job hunt, from choosing job boards and hunting down school vacancies to crafting a CV and cover letter that actually stand out in international schools.

Whether you are moving abroad as a teacher for the first time or navigating job changes abroad after years overseas, we walk you through simple systems, mindset tools, and international teacher resources that make the whole process feel calmer and more intentional.

We also share the biggest mistakes teachers make during recruiting season, the truth about chat groups and anonymous reviews, and the organizational routines that keep your job hunt focused instead of frantic. 🌍

Inside the episode:

• Choosing job boards
• Simple DIY strategies for how to find international teaching jobs
• Turning your CV into a clear story that fits the international market
• Writing cover letters that are specific, confident, and tailored
• Setting up an easy tracking system
• Handling the silence between applications and interviews

🔗 Links & Resources

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊

⁠https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/

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🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at:⁠ https://connectedglobal.org

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💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

How do you choose the right international school when your children need different things?

In this Insider Voices episode, we (Trisha & Brandi) sit down with Marion, a seasoned international school leader and parent living in Prague, who made the bold call to enroll her teenagers in two different schools: one at the English College in Prague (IB + Czech Maturita pathway) and one at the Lycée Français de Prague (French Baccalauréat). She shares the real decision-making process behind balancing curriculum, school culture, community, language of instruction, and future pathways, plus what changed when her son moved from a Czech school to the French system and rediscovered his love of learning.

This is a practical, honest look at choosing an international school abroad as an educator parent: what to notice on tours, what to ask, and how to keep doors open when kids don’t yet know their path.

Inside the episode:

• Why one family chose two different international schools for two children
• Comparing IB/English curriculum vs. French Lycée (breadth, structure, recognition)
• The role of language of learning (English, French, Czech) and multilingual timetables
• Community & wellbeing: when “house systems” feel great—and when they feel forced
• Facilities & city life: sports, beautiful campuses, and public transport independence
• What to ask schools about communication, safeguarding, and parent contact
• A parent’s framework: values at home, listening to kids, and keeping doors open

If you’re weighing international school options, trying to match curriculum fit to a real child, or balancing career moves with family needs, this conversation will help you decide with confidence.

🔗 Links & Resources

📌School Quality Checklist for Parents

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊 ⁠https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/⁠

🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at:⁠ https://connectedglobal.org⁠
💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

So you’re teaching abroad with kids—but how do you find a school that’s the right fit for both your career and your family?

In this Teacher Toolbox episode, we (Trisha & Brandi) break down a practical roadmap for educator-parents navigating international school jobs. Whether you’re moving on from your current post, craving professional growth, or searching for stronger SEN or EAL support for your child, we’ll walk you through how to approach your next move strategically.

We share real advice on how to read international school job ads, spot red and green flags in leadership culture, and ask smart interview questions that reveal what life will actually look like for you and your family. You’ll also learn how to compare offers, factor in tuition remission, and balance intuition with data when choosing between schools. 🌍

Inside the episode:

• The top 3 reasons teacher-parents start job hunting abroad
• How to identify your teaching and family non-negotiables
• Reading job ads like a pro and spotting leadership stability
• Smart interview questions that blend your teacher and parent lenses
• Comparing offers based on salary, cost of living, and family benefits
• Choosing the best fit for your career, child, and long-term happiness

🔗 Links & Resources

📌The Educator-Parent “Decision Huddle” Scoresheet

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊

https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/🍬

Find lots of other global education goodies at: https://connectedglobal.org

💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

Not all international schools are created equal and glossy websites don’t always tell the full story. In this episode, we flip the lens to focus on families and reveal the red and green flags to look for when choosing a school abroad. From safety and language support to curriculum recognition and community culture, we’ll walk you through what really matters for your child’s wellbeing and success.

In this episode, we cover:

• Student wellbeing, safeguarding, and how schools handle bullying
• Language and integration support for non-English speakers and new arrivals
• Curriculum delivery, recognition, and university pathways
• Accreditation and why it matters for stability and global mobility
• Class sizes, facilities, and support services that truly make a difference
• Communication, parent-school partnership, and school culture
• Extracurricular opportunities and holistic development beyond the classroom
  

🔗 Links & Resources

📌School Quality Checklist for Parents

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊 https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/

🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at: https://connectedglobal.org

💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.

Not all international schools are created equal. In this episode, we reveal the red and green flags to watch for when evaluating a school—whether you’re job hunting as a teacher or choosing the right fit for your family.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why accreditation matters (and what it means for you)
• Curriculum on paper vs. curriculum in practice
• Facilities, resources, and support systems to expect
• Career fit and opportunities for professional growth
• How to judge a school before you sign that contract

🔗 Links & Resources

📌School Accreditations Quick Guide

📌School Quality Checklist for Educators

📞Book a consultation with us! We’re here to personalize support for whatever choices you are facing. 😊⁠https://connectedglobal.org/book-a-consultation/⁠

🍬 Find lots of other global education goodies at:⁠ https://connectedglobal.org⁠

💬 Have a question or story of your own? Drop it in the comments! We’d love to feature listener topics in future episodes.

💓 Don’t forget to subscribe if you're navigating life, learning, and leadership abroad.