Leadership transitions in international schools are rarely single moments. More often they form part of a longer story of leadership development, succession planning and partnership. At Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS), that story has continued to evolve over several years as the school has strengthened its leadership team while maintaining a strong sense of community.
Recently, Pauline O’Brien, Director of Global Recruitment Strategy & Leadership at International Schools Services, caught up with Maya Nelson, Head of School at JIS, and Zeb Johnson, who is now in his first year as Principal of Pondok Indah Elementary School, to reflect on leadership, transition and how things are progressing.
ISS first worked with JIS during the Head of School search in which Maya emerged as the successful candidate from within the school’s leadership team. Supporting the board through that process ensured a thorough and transparent search while recognising the strength of leadership already present within the organisation. Since Maya’s appointment, the partnership has continued, with ISS supporting several additional leadership searches as the school has strengthened its leadership structure over time.
Having stepped into the Head of School role with deep knowledge of the community, Maya brought both continuity and clarity of purpose to the position. Her focus has been on maintaining strong relationships across the school and the greater community while navigating the broader challenges facing international education today.
“Leadership today requires a great deal of communication and trust,” Maya reflected. “When those relationships are strong, it allows us to stay focused on what matters most for students and families.”
Like many international schools globally, JIS is responding to shifts in enrollment patterns and demographics. Maya spoke about the importance of addressing these changes thoughtfully while preserving the identity and strong community culture that defines the school.
One of the more recent leadership appointments during Maya’s tenure has been Zeb Johnson’s move into the role of Principal at Pondok Indah Elementary School. Now in his first year, Zeb describes the transition as one of the smoothest he has experienced in his career, something he attributes to the welcoming culture and the strong support surrounding new leaders at the school.
“This has been one of the smoothest transitions I’ve experienced,” Zeb said. “The systems here are strong and the people have been incredibly supportive. That makes a huge difference when stepping into a new leadership role.”
His approach during this first year has been intentionally reflective, focusing on listening and learning before introducing change.
“You need to experience the full cycle of the school year,” he explained. “Understanding the rhythms of the school helps you see what is working well and where you can add value.”
At Pondok Indah Elementary, Zeb has focused on strengthening communication across the community, including weekly updates for teachers and regular newsletters for parents, while working closely with colleagues to maintain the consistency that has long been a strength of the elementary division.
Both Maya and Zeb emphasised the importance of strong support for leaders joining a new school. Zeb highlighted the collaborative nature of the leadership team and the openness with which colleagues share knowledge and experience.
“Consistency in how things are done here, and the support of the leadership team, make a real difference,” Zeb noted. “It allows you to learn quickly while still bringing your own perspective.”
For Maya, creating an environment where leaders feel supported and trusted is essential to sustaining strong leadership across the school.
“When leaders feel supported, they are able to focus on the work that matters most for students and teachers,” she said.
As Zeb continues through his first year leading Pondok Indah Elementary School, his focus remains on learning, building relationships and strengthening the community across the campus. At the same time, Maya continues to guide the broader direction of Jakarta Intercultural School while ensuring that the leadership team around her continues to grow and evolve.
For Pauline, conversations like these are an important reminder that leadership searches do not end with an appointment.
“When you work with a school over time, you develop a deeper understanding of its culture, its people and the kind of leadership that will thrive there,” she said. “That allows each search to become more thoughtful and more aligned with what the community truly needs.”
As with any strong partnership, the dialogue continues as the school looks ahead to the continued development of its leadership team and the opportunities ahead.
You can also read Zeb Johnson’s original ISS Leadership Spotlight from January 2025, reflections from when he accepted his position at Jakarta Intercultural School – Pondok Indah Campus.
