Professional Development designed for educators & leaders
Creating world-class international schools requires continuous professional learning on behalf of school leaders, teachers, and school support staff. ISS brings inclusive, innovative and applicable professional development opportunities to educators and school support staff across the globe. Thousands of educators and school leaders have participated in our ISS EDUlearn professional development offerings, and we continue to introduce new courses to meet today’s most relevant topics.
Global recruitment platform for international schools
ISS EDUrecruit works with international schools of all sizes and types, spanning the globe and filling thousands of job vacancies. We are passionate about making a positive impact in the world of education and have built our reputation built on actions, not just words. The ISS EDUrecruit team takes the time to get to know both candidates and schools so we can make the perfect match to drive success for all involved. Whether looking for a teaching job or leadership position, the ISS EDUrecruit team is here to help you find your dream job.
Expert solutions for school startup & management by industry leaders
ISS OPtimize offers everything you need to optimize your school’s management and operations, brought to you by ISS experts. Whether looking to start a new school or improve the management of an existing school, our team has the experience needed to bring your vision to life. Dive into a suite of services designed to support your school’s academic, financial, management, and operations performance.
ISS Supply Marketplace
Streamline your entire buying process for international school supplies with the ISS Supply Marketplace. ISS offers great service, great prices, and a new level of ease in supply – all in one place, with no fee to join. Make supplying your school easy with the help of ISS experts. Manage logistics and ensure your supplies are ready when you need them with ISS School Supply.
Streamlined accounting & international school operations
Reduce the complexity of your international school’s accounting and finance operations with the help of the ISS Finance team. Our experts are here to help ensure your finances are managed correctly and can help in a variety of financial-related services ranging from payroll processing to establishing a nonprofit. Our Global Business Solutions are catered to international schools and meant to help your team succeed in the long run.
Pursuing a leadership position is both exciting and overwhelming. Beyond identifying if you are ready for the role, you’ll want to assess if the role aligns with what you are seeking, in terms of challenges, educational philosophy, vision, infrastructure, culture, community, and a host of other factors. ISS ensures that every candidate’s experiences in the application process is positive through clear communication, guidance, and support at every stage.
A TRANSPARENT PROCESS, WITH CLEAR COMMUNICATION AND PERSONAL ATTENTION THROUGHOUT
We answer emails, talk to you, and help you understand what to expect. You are valued and respected throughout the entire process. Whether the current posting is the right one for you, or a future one is a better fit, we treat every candidate as a relationship that will last for years to come. We believe in honest, clear communication, and strive to make your experience an exceptionally positive one.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR UNIQUE BACKGROUND AND THE WORLD OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
We get to know you, your strengths, and your style. We spend time asking thought-provoking questions about you, your career goals, and what is important to you. We look to understand your competencies and outcomes, as much as your credentials, and appreciate both traditional and nontraditional paths to leadership. We deeply value and advocate for diversity. As an organization that works with more than 1200+ international schools each year, conducts professional development sessions, and has supported tens of thousands of educators in their professional journeys, we know there is no one-size-fits-all leader or school formula for success. Instead, success grows from an effective pairing of school and leader.
PREPARATION AND GREAT SCHOOLS
ISS wants to see you succeed! We work with both start up and well regarded schools in the international school community. We give you insights into the school’s dynamics, unique needs, and reputation so you can assess whether it will be a good fit for you.
We also get you ready for the process ahead. We help you assemble your portfolio and offer constructive feedback on whether or not it is presenting you accurately and holistically and ways to improve. In addition, as you progress through the selection process, we provide coaching to help you have more productive conversations with the school about your vision— and theirs.
MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED
When applying for a leadership position, you will receive guidance on how to assemble your portfolio. Here is a list of the types of documentation you will need to provide:
References
ISS requires that your references be submitted via our online confidential evaluation form. The importance of your confidential references cannot be underestimated. As soon as you submit your application, your referees will be contacted. Let them know to expect our email.
You must provide contact information for at least three supervisors:
- At least one supervisor from your current position.
- The remaining two references can be from positions you’ve held within the past seven years. These people should have supervised you while you were in an administrative role. To create a well-rounded profile, we encourage all candidates to add as many references as possible. While three supervisory references is the minimum, recruiters appreciate reading a larger selection of references if possible.
Transcripts
Copies of official transcripts can be scanned and uploaded. We request official transcripts of your highest degree earned.
Certification or Equivalent
All educator/administrator certifications from the Department of Education or government office in your State/Province/Country.
Partner Statement
If you have a spouse/partner who is not an educator, we require a Partner Statement. This document serves as your spouse/partner’s introduction to international school recruiters. It is not a cover letter or resume. This document should be completed whether or not your spouse/partner will accompany you to your new school.
Supplemental Documents
While these materials are optional, recruiters appreciate viewing them to get a multifaceted sense of who you are:
- Philosophy of education
- Open letters of reference
- List of specialized achievements and/or published works
- At least one writing sample (maximum two pages, double spaced) and/or links to newsletters or other materials you have published.
Screening and Child Protection
Extensive background checks are carried out on candidates. You should expect a multi-phased screening process of credentials, deep reference interviews, and more. Our process is thorough to help safeguard students, schools, and the international community.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US!
“The personal attention and feedback received from [the ISS staff] made the experience like a professional matchmaking, rather than ISS was working for the school alone. I felt nurtured and listened to through the whole experience. The interviews were like deep conversations that flowed easily which enabled me to understand what I wanted in my next job and areas of importance for my search. I also appreciated the feedback on ways to improve my CV and application process.”
J.H., Candidate
“ISS is an organization that is professional and personal. They combine the best of the job world where you feel valued and you are treated with respect. That can often be hard to find, but they have perfected these skills. I would work with the ISS Administrative Search team again and again.”
C.B., Candidate
Leadership Spotlights
Erin Michelle Threlfall
Primary School Principal, Shekou International School
Gilles Buck
High School Principal, International School Nido de Aguilas
Karli Lomax
Director of Teaching and Learning, Georgetown International Academy