Leadership Spotlight: Andreas Koini

What drew you to pursue the world of education? And what drew you into international education specifically?

Growing up in a small Austrian town, my life revolved around the outdoors and local sports. I was deeply inspired by my secondary school sports teacher, whose genuine love for his craft, interest in his students’ well-being, and exceptional personal skills left a lasting impression on me. By age 16, I began coaching and training others; looking back, that is truly when my calling as an educator began, as I never seriously considered any other path.

I followed my passion for Mathematics and Sports through the traditional university teacher training route. However, my parents cultivated in me a lifelong love for travelling and exploration. While I had already met my wife, Catherine, in Austria, it was our move to the UK—her home country—that truly transformed our lives; we founded our family in London while I was seconded to the German School. It was there that I discovered the progressive pedagogy of the International Baccalaureate. I became—and remain—hungry for the intercultural life and the transformative power of international education.

Please tell us about your education philosophy and your leadership style. What can the International School of Amsterdam community expect?

My heart has always been in the classroom. I believe children are natural learners, and my philosophy is rooted in a humanistic, holistic approach that treats every student as an individual. Whether I am mentoring a gifted student or joining a game on the sports field, I lead by staying personally involved in the joy of learning.

My leadership style is built on inclusiveness and mutual respect, with a deep care for the wellbeing of our entire community. You can expect a leader who listens and works collaboratively, yet remains decisive and firm when circumstances require clear direction to ensure our school’s stability and success. My goal is to empower our students to become self-directed, compassionate members of a global society, helping to build a more peaceful and tolerant world together.

Congratulations on your upcoming role at the International School of Amsterdam! What are you excited about in this new role?

I have known the International School of Amsterdam for a long time, and the prospect of joining such a large, yet deeply personal community is truly inspiring. The school’s reputation as an IB continuum school with tremendous collective knowledge is both exciting and humbling.

As a seasoned educator who has led numerous global accreditation teams, I have seen firsthand which initiatives flourish and which do not. I am eager to share these insights with the team while remaining a lifelong learner myself. I look forward to the challenges this new environment will bring to my pedagogical beliefs and to creating a positive impact on our students’ learning. Ultimately, I hope to foster an environment where we balance our warm, educational mission with sound economic realities to ensure a bright future for all our students.

What is an interesting fact or story about you that you would like to share?

During my time in the UK, I became fascinated by the dynamics of London’s financial world, its attraction to young, ambitious people, and the high-performing, yet often brutal, performance culture it created. This sparked a deep interest in economics and eventually led me to complete a Master’s Degree in Finance, with the initial aim of testing myself in the world of banking.

As it turned out, that banking career never took off—a “failure” for which I am now incredibly grateful. My newly acquired knowledge of economic interconnectedness caught the attention of my school’s Board of Governors. They offered me the opportunity to oversee the school’s business operations on their behalf, laying the foundation for my career as an international school leader.

This experience taught me that we often reach unexpected crossroads in life. Even when taking a turn that wasn’t initially intended, I’ve found that hard work and a genuine interest in your path can lead to success in the most rewarding and unforeseen ways.