Leadership Spotlight: Patrick Severijns
Patrick Severijns
ISS Leadership Search was honored to support the Middle School Principal search for the Kaohsiung American School in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Congratulations to Patrick Severijns for accepting the position, beginning July 2026! Patrick currently serves as the Deputy Head of School at the International School Groningen.
Patrick holds a Bachelors Degree in K-12 Physical Education from The Hague University of Applied Sciences, a Masters in Education for Advanced Studies at the American College of Education, and a Masters in Educational Leadership & Management from the University of Portsmouth.
He has been a Head of K-12 Physical Education at the American School of London, Middle School Physical and Health Education Teacher at Zurich International School, and Head of Year MYP 2, 3, & MYP Physical and Health Education Teacher at the United World College of Maastricht.
In this feature, read about Patrick’s passion for education, commitment to fostering global citizenship, and how his diverse experiences — both personal and professional — shape his approach to education and leadership.
What drew you to pursue the world of education? And what drew you into international education specifically? In middle and high school, I hated almost everything about school, as it felt that the education seemed built to spotlight what students didn’t know and penalise them for it, rather than recognising what they did know and building on it. I resisted that model for years. With hindsight, that frustration wasn’t just teenage rebellion; it was a signal. It pointed to a conviction: learning should never minimise young people to a list of deficits, or make them feel invisible. That belief led me into education. I entered the profession with a simple, stubborn hope: to design learning in which every student is genuinely seen for their strengths, perspectives, and potential. Academic success matters, but the deeper aim is sustainable growth, confidence, curiosity, agency, self-belief, and purpose. At the heart of this is something schools too often treat as an optional ‘nice-to-have ‘: joy. Joy isn’t a byproduct of learning; it’s ignition. When one mind lights up, it warms the room. When many do, it becomes culture. When students experience joy through meaning, connection, challenge, laughter, and belonging, they open up: they take risks, persist longer, and recover faster when learning gets hard. Joy doesn’t dilute rigour. It sustains it. This is also why international education resonates with me. In diverse communities, difference isn’t an inconvenience to manage; it’s an asset to learn from. It asks educators to design with intention, differentiate meaningfully, and let go of the illusion that one size fits all.
Please tell us about your education philosophy and your leadership style. What can the Kaohsiung American School community expect? I’m guided by Sir David Attenborough’s reminder: “Self-interest is for the past. Common interest is for the future.” In a world of accelerating change, education must prepare students for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s unknowns by building confidence to embrace uncertainty, think conceptually, and learn through inquiry, experience, and reflection. I champion learning that pairs academic rigour with vibrant co-curricular pathways, so curiosity, creativity, and character grow together. My leadership mirrors this: collaborative, values-led, and future-facing. I listen first, clarify purpose, and create the conditions for students, staff, and families to co-own progress. Expect transparent communication, high expectations with strong support, and a culture where diverse identities and perspectives are not just welcomed, but essential to how we learn, lead, and improve.
Congratulations on your upcoming role at the Kaohsiung American School! What are you excited about in this new role? I was drawn to this role by a rare combination: an American IB school in such a culturally rich part of the world, and the opportunity to serve as Middle School Principal, my favourite division, as it combines the unbridled enthusiasm of the lower school with the thirst for knowledge of the high school. What excites me most, though, are the people. After meeting students, staff, families, and community members in person, I felt even more strongly that Kaohsiung American School is a special place, one that aligns closely with my values. My hope is to lead and learn alongside this vibrant learning community: to honour what already makes the school unique and to look ahead at what we can build together.
Patrick and his dog, Floki.
What is an interesting fact or story about you that you would like to share? In my final year of primary school in the Netherlands, I took a mandatory standardised test that can significantly shape a child’s academic pathway. My results suggested vocational education would be my ceiling. That moment stayed with me. Not because vocational routes aren’t valuable, but because a single snapshot was allowed to speak louder than potential, context, character, curiosity, and growth. This is why I firmly believe it’s our responsibility to recognise our students’ strengths, nurture their confidence, and create pathways that allow them to develop in unexpected directions and beyond perceived limits.
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?
The effort that ISS and especially Ms. O’Brien, put into understanding me as a person and as a professional, and thoughtfully matching me with a role aligned with my values, made it clear this was a people-centered approach and process.
Patrick and his wife, Janne.
Many thanks to Patrick Severijns for sharing his insights, experiences, and vision for education. We wish him and the vibrant community at the Kaohsiung American School 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.