Greg and Kent sit down with Aimée and Jacob—two international educators with a passion for honest conversations and creative collaboration. They dive into the story behind their own podcast, The International Staff Room, and share what drives them as educators and podcasters. Stick around to the end and learn about the meaning of the episode title.

The conversation covers a lot: from the power of partnership in teaching to tackling tough topics with empathy and humor. Aimée and Jacob open up about what it really takes to engage listeners, build community, and keep things real in the world of international education. There’s thoughtful discussion about using tech in meaningful ways, coaching and empowering teachers, and finding that sweet spot between seriousness and laughter in the classroom—and in life.

You’ll also hear personal stories—from funny moments at border control to the essential items they always pack when moving abroad. If you’ve ever wondered how to break through passivity in students, or why it’s worth taking risks and starting something new, this episode is for you.

Aimee Skidmore's Linked In

On Spotify: The International Teacher StaffRoom Podcast

On Apple Podcasts: The International Teacher StaffRoom Podcast

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction and Guest Introductions

(01:55) Aimée's Journey in Education

(04:45) Jacob's Unique Path to Teaching

(08:02) Collaboration and Partnership in Education

(10:48) The Concept Behind Their Podcast

(13:19) Navigating Difficult Topics in Education

(16:16) Listener Engagement and Feedback

(19:04) Future Topics and Guest Appearances

(27:44) The Dynamic of Podcasting and Community Building

(30:23) Navigating Challenges in Education

(31:41) Addressing Aimée's Impromptu Letter

(33:42) Empathy in Difficult Conversations

(38:22) The Importance of Listening

(41:23) Balancing Seriousness and Humor in Education

(45:20) The Value of Authentic Engagement

(50:49) What is Teach Spark?

(55:00) Humorous Encounters with Border Control

(01:00:09) Cultural Differences in Driving and Authority

(01:03:15) What We Carry: Essential Items for Moving

(01:07:52) Final Thoughts and Advice for Educators

The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.

Additional Gems Related to Our Show:

Greg’s Favorite Video From Living Overseas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw

Signup to be our guest https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01

Our Website⁠ - https://www.itpexpat.com/

Our FaceBook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat

⁠JPMint Consulting Website - https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/

Greg’s Personal YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO

Books By Gregory Lemoine:

⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

⁠"Finding the Right Fit: Your Professional Guide for International Educator Recruiting Fairs and Amazing Stories of a Teacher Living Overseas⁠" |by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

Partner Podcasts:

Just to Know You: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/just-to-know-you/id1655096513Educators Going Global: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/educators-going-global/id1657501409

ITP - 122 Your hosts welcome Greg Perry, co-founder and CEO of Global Services and Education Limited, to talk about his wild, winding journey in international education. Greg doesn’t just talk about opening schools—he’s lived it, from the ground up, across countries and cultures, figuring it out as he goes. We dive into the nitty-gritty: the challenges no one warns you about, the unexpected roadblocks, the delicate dance of opening a school in someone else’s backyard.

Greg gets real about what it takes. It’s not just bricks and mortar—it’s accreditation, business plans, politics, relationships. He stresses how every school needs a mission that actually means something, not just words slapped on a wall. And then there’s the business side—oh, the business side. If you’ve ever thought education and business don’t mix, Greg will have you thinking again.

We also look at what’s happening right now in international education: hiring teachers and leaders, navigating new expectations, and figuring out what the future holds. Greg’s seen firsthand how trust is everything, especially when working with wealthy clients in different cultural contexts. He shares stories that stick with you—moments where cultural nuance made or broke a deal, moments when a relationship meant more than a contract.

We talk about what’s next: hybrid learning, the growing push to develop local teachers, and the big question of how education can evolve without losing its heart. By the end, Greg leaves us with a hopeful note—a reminder that, even with all the complexity, education still has the power to change lives, communities, and maybe even the world.

Greg's Website: Global Services in Education https://www.gsineducation.com/

_______

The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.

Additional Gems Related to Our Show:

Greg’s Favorite Video From Living Overseas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw

Signup to be our guest https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01

Our Website⁠ - https://www.itpexpat.com/

Our FaceBook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat

⁠JPMint Consulting Website - https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/

Greg’s Personal YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO

Books By Gregory Lemoine:

⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

⁠"Finding the Right Fit: Your Professional Guide for International Educator Recruiting Fairs and Amazing Stories of a Teacher Living Overseas⁠" |by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

Partner Podcasts:

Just to Know You: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/just-to-know-you/id1655096513Educators Going Global: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/educators-going-global/id1657501409

ITP - 121 Before you go back to your home country and retire from International Education, treat yourself to a "gap" trip. This is the advice given to our guests Eric and Tamara Wood and the advice they are taking right now. Between March 2025 and August 2025, this wonderful couple is taking a whopping 6month trip - like a couple of 20something European backpackers.

It takes planning, you will hear on this interview. It takes money. But there are ways to save, starting early in your career.

Enjoy this episode. Watch the video version on Spotify or Youtube to see some helpful visuals maps.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction and Background of Guests

(02:23) A Gap Retirement Trip

(05:29) Travel Itinerary and Experiences

(08:36) Financial Planning for Travel

(11:17) Saving Strategies and Lifestyle Choices

(13:58) Reflections on Travel and Experiences

(16:41) Personal Stories and Relationships

(19:54) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

(24:32) Cultural Fusion in Marriage

(27:06) Transitioning Life Stages

(27:36) Family Connections and Future Plans

(29:54) Embracing New Experiences

(30:48) Mission Trips and Community Service

(33:34) Adventures in the Desert

(39:49) Unexpected Encounters and Hospitality

______

The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.

Additional Gems Related to Our Show:

Greg’s Favorite Video From Living Overseas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw

Signup to be our guest https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01

Our Website⁠ - https://www.itpexpat.com/

Our FaceBook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat

⁠JPMint Consulting Website - https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/

Greg’s Personal YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO

Books By Gregory Lemoine:

⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

⁠"Finding the Right Fit: Your Professional Guide for International Educator Recruiting Fairs and Amazing Stories of a Teacher Living Overseas⁠" |by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

Partner Podcasts:

Just to Know You: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/just-to-know-you/id1655096513Educators Going Global: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/educators-going-global/id1657501409

TP - 118 Co-hosts JP Mint and Kent the Cat Guy welcome three international teachers, Caitlin, Eloise, and Hannah, who share their unique experiences and insights into the world of teaching abroad. The conversation covers their personal backgrounds, how they met in Malawi, and their journey in creating a math resource platform aimed at making math education more engaging and inclusive. They discuss the challenges and successes of their project, the importance of community building among teachers, and the role of AI in education. The episode is filled with laughter, personal stories, and reflections on the joys and challenges of being an international teacher.

(00:00) Introductions

(01:32) The Transition to Teaching: Personal Stories

(04:27) The Impact of International Teaching

(07:11) How They Met: Building Connections

(09:54) Collaborative Projects: A New Venture

(12:39) Building a Community of Educators

(14:29) The Journey of Awesomenicity

(18:03) The Need for Inclusive Math Education

(20:08) Inspirations in Math Education

(20:52) The Role of AI in Education

(22:36) Target Audience and User Experience

(26:23) Integrating with Existing Curriculums

(27:20) Connecting with Educators

(31:26) Personal Stories and Experiences

(37:58) Police Stories from Around the World

(40:19) Unexpected Encounters with Law Enforcement

(43:19) What We Carry: Comfort Items in New Places

(50:08) Final Thoughts and Reflections

The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.

Additional Gems Related to Our Show:

Greg’s Favorite Video From Living Overseas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw

Signup to be our guest https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01

Our Website⁠ - https://www.itpexpat.com/

Our FaceBook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat

⁠JPMint Consulting Website - https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/

Greg’s Personal YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO

Books By Gregory Lemoine:

⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

⁠"Finding the Right Fit: Your Professional Guide for International Educator Recruiting Fairs and Amazing Stories of a Teacher Living Overseas⁠" |by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

Partner Podcasts:

Just to Know You: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/just-to-know-you/id1655096513Educators Going Global: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/educators-going-global/id1657501409

Relative Hashes:

#internationalteachersday #internationaleducation #overseaseducation #internationalschools #education #teacherburnout #teachersalarynews #teachersalary #teacherrecruitments #overseaseducatorfairs

ITP 118 celebrates FOUR YEARS of our podcast. Happy Birthday International Teacher Podcast. We would like to introduce you all to Darian Batten, our newest co-host, replacing Matt the Family Guy.

Darian, his wife, Alicia, and their three kids have been in Saudi for the past four years. Darian is the perfect family man host. You will laugh a lot due to his infectious laugh, learn from his stories, and say "damn that's a great question" often when he is interviewing guests.

Enjoy this episode with Darian as a guest. From then on, you will already know Darian.

____

The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.

Additional Gems Related to Our Show:

Greg’s Favorite Video From Living Overseas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw

Signup to be our guest https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01

Our Website⁠ - https://www.itpexpat.com/

Our FaceBook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat

⁠JPMint Consulting Website - https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/

Greg’s Personal YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO

Books By Gregory Lemoine:

⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

⁠"Finding the Right Fit: Your Professional Guide for International Educator Recruiting Fairs and Amazing Stories of a Teacher Living Overseas⁠" |by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

Partner Podcasts:

Just to Know You: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/just-to-know-you/id1655096513Educators Going Global: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/educators-going-global/id1657501409