A Compassionate Odyssey in Global Education
By the ISS EDUlearn® Team
Originally published in ISS NewsLinks, Volume XXXX, February 2024.
Embark on a transformative journey with ISS EDUlearn®: Ask Me Anything, a beacon of inspiration in the world of global education. Conceived in the fall of 2022 by Mike Pierre, a dedicated Virtual Events Producer & Manager at International Schools Services (ISS), and co-hosted by the insightful Dr. Dana Specker Watts, Director of Learning, Research, and Outreach at ISS, this podcast is not just a conversation; it’s a sanctuary where stories of international education intertwine with the tapestry of the human experience.
Audience and Reach
Welcome to the ISS EDUlearn®: Ask Me Anything (AMA) Podcast, a platform presented by ISS that reaches far beyond the realms of traditional education. This isn’t merely a podcast; it’s a sanctuary where educators, administrators, and individuals from 39 countries, including the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, and Germany, find solace. With over 35,000+ listens and downloads, it resonates deeply with the global community.
Achievements and Milestones
ISS EDUlearn®: Ask Me Anything is not just a podcast; it’s a milestone-laden odyssey. With 53 episodes and 1600 minutes, this podcast has etched a profound narrative of wisdom.
Episode Highlights
Each episode is a nuanced exploration, a compassionate journey through the realms of education. As you navigate through the sessions, co-hosted by Mike and Dana, you encounter insights that transform. Let’s delve into two key takeaways:
Zack’s Video Game Integration: Zack, a high school teacher at ELLIS Preparatory Academy, brings a fresh perspective to education by incorporating video games into lessons. The main takeaway? Education is evolving, and innovative teaching methods, like game-based learning, can profoundly impact student engagement. Listen here
Ricardo’s Breath Workouts Wisdom: Ricardo’s session on the benefits of breath workouts is a breath of fresh air. Beyond stress relief, breath workouts become powerful tools for students. The episode inspires a shift in perspective, emphasizing the significance of holistic well-being in education. Listen here
Impact and Feedback
Molly Fae, ISS Customer Support and Technology Coordinator, eloquently captures the essence of the podcast’s impact: “I want to share how much I enjoy the podcast, even though I’m not an educator. I feel like it benefits folks from all different backgrounds. I learned a lot from Ettie’s panel discussion about Third Culture Kids and realized things about my childhood I never connected before. I love the identity work that Daniel Wickner covered in Season 2 and felt empowered to not feel ashamed of my hidden disabilities. I loved hearing what Dana and Nadine had to say about the push for equity in international schools.”
This podcast goes beyond education; it touches lives and opens hearts.
Collaborations and Engagement
The podcast actively engages its audience through live events, Q&A sessions, and interactive elements. The bridge between recording and release ensures that the audience’s questions from live courses on the ISS EDUplatform find their way into the recorded episodes, creating a seamless connection.
Ads from ISS departments and partners like Inspire Citizens, SENIA, and REAL Discussions are set to grace the podcast, further enhancing its richness.
Future Plans
Join Season 4 starting February 2024. With a focus on DEIJ, Tech, and Well-Being, the future promises a deeper exploration of topics that resonate with the soul.
Contact Us
ISS provides innovative professional development, school audits, and candidate recruiting for international schools around the world. Interested in learning more about how ISS can help with your needs? Drop us a line below and we’ll happily get back to you!
ISS EDUlearn®: Ask Me Anything is a compassionate voyage in global education, co-hosted by Mike Pierre and Dr. Dana Specker Watts. More than a podcast, it’s a lighthouse guiding educators, administrators, and curious minds through the ever-evolving seas of international education.
You can connect with Mike Pierre on LinkedIn and @Ayitis_Sigmaman on X, and Dana Watts on LinkedIn and @teachwatts on X
A Personal Statement from Podcast Host Mike Pierre
Dear incredible listeners, educators, and fellow change-makers,
I wanted to take a moment to share a heartfelt note of gratitude and reflection. Behind each episode of ISS EDUlearn®: Ask Me Anything lies a tapestry of dedication, passion, and countless hours of background work. From the planning stages, recording sessions, meticulous editing, to the strategic posting and spreading the word – it’s a journey that, while demanding, is undeniably worth every effort.
Seeing the podcast reach over 24,000 downloads across 64 countries, with a thriving community in the US, Hong Kong, Italy, and Germany, is incredibly rewarding. Your engagement, support, and feedback have transformed this podcast into more than just a series of episodes; it’s become a vibrant global community, resonating with listeners from various backgrounds and professions.
The impact of ISS EDUlearn is profound. Molly Fae, our Customer Support and Technology Coordinator, beautifully captures how the podcast transcends the realm of education, touching lives and offering valuable insights to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Knowing that the conversations we share empower listeners, spark introspection, and bring about positive change is the driving force that keeps us going.
Recording each episode, editing every conversation, and ensuring that every listener is aware of the podcast’s existence is a responsibility we take seriously. It’s a labor of love because we believe in the power of education and the potential for positive transformation that each episode holds. Your ongoing support fuels our commitment to providing transformative insights, highlighting innovative ideas, and deepening our collective understanding of global education.
As we explore diverse topics and look ahead to Season 4 with a focus on DEIJ, Tech, and Wellbeing, your enthusiasm and engagement are our greatest motivators.
So, to each listener who has shared, liked, subscribed, and left a review, thank you! It feels good to know that the collective effort, the late-night editing sessions, and the hustle to make ISS EDUlearn a part of your routine are making a positive impact. Let’s keep this journey going, one insightful conversation at a time. Feel free to reach out, share your thoughts, and be a part of the ISS EDUlearn community. Together, we’re creating something truly meaningful.
With sincere appreciation,
Mike Pierre
Host, ISS EDUlearn®: Ask Me Anything; ISS Virtual Events Producer & Manager, Professional Development
Quotable Moments
Nneka Johnson and Niassa Harris-Henry in episode “Design Thinking and Primary Year Program” – Listen to the episode
“Go ahead and try. You are not going to break it. Just lean in. It’s messy, but find someone to partner with and just do it.”
Lori Boll in episode “Empowering Students’ Executive Function in a Teenage Brain” – Listen to the episode
“When students don’t have a fully functioning frontal lobe yet, we need to lend them our frontal lobe.”
Danielle View in “Networking, Interview Tips, and Skills Needed in International Schools” – Listen to the episode
“Everybody has a different perspective, and you must seek to understand others.”