Leadership Spotlight: Karisti Cormier

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

I always wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a young child. I went to university with the idea that I would become a French and Russian teacher. Although my subject areas changed to English and French, my desire to teach did not.

In 1991, during my freshman year in college at the University of Northern Iowa, I learned about international education because of their recruiting fair. But, it was years later, when I met an educator who had worked overseas, that I gave it serious consideration. It allowed me to combine my interests in traveling the world while pursuing my passion of teaching.

I have loved being part of an international community, but also value connecting deeply with the host country culture and the richness it brings to an international school community.

Please tell us about your education philosophy and your leadership style. What can the Taipei American School community expect?

My leadership philosophy is that at the center of every decision we make should be one simple question: What learning, for which student, is at stake? When we keep students at the heart of our work, we stay focused on what truly matters: their growth, well-being, and success. I believe strong schools are built on integrity, where honesty, fairness, and accountability guide our actions and build trust within our community. Leadership is also about relationships; when we invest in meaningful connections with students, faculty, staff, and families, we strengthen the entire school. And when we communicate a clear, shared vision, we give everyone the direction and confidence to move forward together.

My leadership style is relational; I believe multiple voices are better than just one. I am excited about building relationships across the divisions and working together to help educators reflect, take risks, and continually refine their craft.

Congratulations on your upcoming role at the Taipei American School! What are you excited about in this new role?

This is a new position for TAS, and I’m excited to help continue building systems that recruit, support, and retain great educators across all divisions. I also look forward to strengthening a faculty culture that balances high expectations with care and belonging. TAS’s commitment to continuous learning continues to inspire me, and I’m excited to contribute to that work.

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

My first view into the world of international education came while I was a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa, volunteering at the Overseas Recruiting Fair in 1991. As I greeted teachers coming in for interviews, I was struck by their sense of adventure. Little did I know that 35 years and five countries later, I would be deeply immersed in that same world, with international education shaping my educational path.

Thinking about your recent experience with ISS, what would you say made that experience above average compared to either your expectation or to experiences you may have had with other organizations?

My screening interview with Arnie Bieber was excellent. It was a supportive conversation that allowed me to talk about what I could bring to the role as well as how to engage in the process. He was able to highlight those elements of my profile that would be best fit for the role. He also offered to answer any questions at any time in the process.

Many thanks to Karisti Cormier for sharing her insights, experiences, and vision for education. We wish her and the vibrant community at the Taipei American School the best in this new chapter ahead!