Leadership Spotlight: Liz Cho
Liz keynote speaking at Nobel Prize Dialogue in Seoul, 2023
ISS Leadership Search was honored to support the Deputy Director of Teaching, Learning, & Innovation search for the American International School of Vilnius in Vilnius, Lithuania. Congratulations to Liz Cho for accepting the position, which begins in August of 2026! Liz has most recently served as the Director of Learning Development at the Vientiane International School.
Liz holds Bachelors Degree in English from Pennsylvania State University; a Masters in Secondary Education English from Wake Forest University; and a Masters in Education in Policy and Leadership from American College of Education.
She has been a high school AP and IB English teacher, taking on various middle-level leadership roles before stepping full time into administration as the Director or Principal of Teaching & Learning. Internationally, she has worked at Shekou International School, Gyeonggi Suwon International School, and Korea International School.
In this feature, read about Liz’s passion for education, commitment to fostering global citizenship, and how her diverse experiences — both personal and professional — shape her approach to education and leadership.
What drew you to pursue the world of education? And what drew you into international education specifically?
I was inspired to go into education when I took a critical reading seminar course in university that focused on inequities in Education, the topic of my professor’s research. Reading Jonathan Kozol and Paulo Freire at the age of 20 blew my mind. I wanted the kids to have a teacher who believed in their potential and did everything possible to show them that tenacity, courage, and risk-taking are all worth a try, in spite of the complex politics of education. I wanted to teach the joy of learning, not just content but the relevance of the content in the real world.
As a young teacher, I also wanted to spend my summers doing something that felt meaningful. So at age 27, I decided to volunteer teach in Kenya, and that experience really allowed me to see that I had so much more of the world to experience. The next summer, I took a group of high school students to South Africa on a service learning trip. The summer after that, to Ghana. Seeing this, a dear friend and colleague who had worked in Germany told me, “You would love international teaching. You were born for this.” I didn’t even know what international teaching was, but in 2008, I followed her advice, signed up with ISS, went to a job fair in Philadelphia, and landed my first international position for 2009 at Shekou International School. And that was it.
I am drawn to international education, because it allows for learning to happen in myriad cultural contexts. This helps us to learn from one another, embrace diversity, and ultimately, become better human beings. I am so grateful for the privilege to be part of it.
Please tell us about your education philosophy and your leadership style. What can the American International School of Vilnius community expect?
I believe that children learn by observation, mimicry, trial and error. As such, educators must model meaningful learning, giving them opportunities for exploration. We must do our best to preserve the sense of wonder that children naturally bring into our classrooms so that they don’t lose it by the time they get to adolescent years.
I believe in delivering results, approaching new situations and challenges with humility supported by competence while uplifting others. I lead a s a servant leader, doing the work alongside those whom I wish to inspire for a greater good.
I believe in approaching each situation through the lens of Creativity, which can be taught and practiced – and therefore, should be! To me, our work in education engages the Heart and Self, the authentic way to infuse Joy into learning.
I believe I cannot do this work alone, and that’s the leadership I strive for: a collaborative, uplifting, enriching partnership to promote meaningful action for everyone in the community.
Congratulations on your upcoming role at the American International School of Vilnius! What are you excited about in this new role?
I am excited about the role as the lead designer in shaping the teaching, learning, and innovation for AISV, continuing to build on the current great work, together with students, teachers, parents, and staff.
I am also excited about working in a school where everyone, adults and kids, truly love their community. When I was invited to be a finalist, the school director had told me that AISV has a certain kind of magic that is only felt when you are there – and she was right. My visit proved this to be true!
Liz and her family enjoy a meal.
Liz and her family at Zion National Park, USA.
What is an interesting fact or story about you that you would like to share?
I wasn’t allowed to play sports as a kid, because I was a girl. At the time, that was the perfectly legitimate reason that my dad gave me as to why I could not play a sport. Not having the athletic experience young, I do not have the muscle memory and coordination to play team sports. But I realized I could do things that were individual, such as running, kickboxing, and yoga. Then in my early 30s, I discovered and fell in love with Aerial Silks. There is so much more that this experience has taught me, and the community I got to build around it, but the bottom line is this: It is never too late to learn something new, to challenge yourself in different ways, and to accept the life that you’ve had – without blame or regret – and to look forward to the life we can shape and mold ourselves.
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?
ISS really prioritized me as a candidate, ensuring that the school and role was the right fit for me. They really got to know me as a person, an educator, and a leader. The process of working with ISS made me feel seen, valued, and worthy.
Many thanks to Liz Cho for sharing her insights, experiences, and vision for education. We wish her and the vibrant community at the American International School of Vilnius the best in this new chapter ahead!
If you’re interested in pursuing a school leadership position, please check out our current leadership searches or get in touch with the ISS Leadership Search Team.