Thank you, Stuart Dennis

Yesterday I found out my former Head of School in Dubai (GEMS World Academy) passed away. In one of our emails he asked me to do an interview. This blog post is dedicated to him.

 

Hello Kevin,

Maybe you’ll consider to do an interview  as part of my little series of interview articles for LinkedIn. Honestly, this is nothing more than a intellectual stimulation for me whilst I’m going through chemo again. However, a great way to connect with amazing people like you.

 

1. How would describe your leadership style? How has it evolved over the years and why?

I see myself as a coaching leader. Many times I enjoy supporting teammates in fulfilling their goals and providing feedback to aid in growth. The one on one interaction and finding out where people are and how to best be of assistance is where I get energy.

 

2. Who are your leadership idols and why?

My business advisor Alister Aranha as he always ask great questions and pushes my thinking.

John Ritter, one of my first international school heads, because of his wealth of knowledge and experience around school leadership.

Cynthia Buck was the first principal who hired me in Virginia. She set forth a clear vision and was always supportive with our team goals and my personal goals.

 

3. What is your greatest leadership success?

Setting up a company in a country outside of the USA. This was done in 2013 in Dubai. There was a lot to learn but so worth the journey.

 

4. What’s the toughest leadership challenge you’ve faced?

Being comfortable speaking up and out about issues related to diversity, inclusion, and equity in the international education space.

 

5. Looking forward in your current role, what excites and motivates you as a leader?

Interacting with future talent in the present. This is built into our KDSL Global Fellowship Program. In one year these educators learn more about entrepreneurship and launch a new product or service.

 

6. What lessons in leadership are you still hoping to learn?

Focusing on a few things would be something I need to revisit. In the past I would choose 3 big things to focus on daily.

 

7. Do you see your role also a leadership mentor and trainer? Is succession planning at all levels in the organisation important you? How do you achieve this?

I see myself as a leadership learner. This is due to being willing to learn from others based on their experiences. Legacy thinking started with the fellowship program we set up in 2017. It was the idea of how do you give back to the new and next generation of those who work in education? We empowered consultants to start their own ventures and engage in a range of projects. This was my experience which allowed me to learn lots about what I enjoyed and what I did not.

A big change is coming in 2020 at KDSL Global around planning ahead. More to come in the near future.

 

8. What’s your advice to experienced school leaders looking for the next big step?

Learn what you can where you are. Write down and work on your next big thing but do not allow it to consume you. This may make you miss out on lessons and learning in your current context.

 

9. What’s your advice to inexperienced leaders in school looking for the first big step?

It would still be learn what you can where you are. Seek a mentor who can serve as a guide. Seek and sign up for opportunities to serve as a leader wherever you are currently working.

 

10. And finally, how do you relax? 

Meditating

Running

Reading

Just pausing and taking a break from work
Stuart, ‬
‪I’m crushed to hear the news of your departure. You are the reason I came to Dubai. Your vision and leadership were impeccable. I feel you tricked me as well when I found out upon arrival that I’d be teaching the daughter of the Head of School. ‬

‪Thank you for checking in with me & encouraging me to pursue my goals and dreams. You signed every form I brought your way when I wanted to learn, grow, and develop. I’ll miss our updates. ‬

‪In today’s international education leadership space I find few like you. You hired a Black man to teach at what was then the most expensive IB school in Dubai during 2008. I didn’t put my photo on my CV. On our phone interview I learned about you & your expectations.‬

‪You shared leadership opportunities & served as a reference for me countless times, connected me with education leaders around the world, and added me on your team. ‬

‪Thank you for the opportunity to serve, learn, and for being a true leader.‬

Impact International Schools Advisory Council

 

Our Vision

Empower vulnerable children (autistic, orphan and handicap children) and young women who can reach their full potential so that they are healthier, able to make their own decisions and through their education, enable their families and communities to flourish.

Our Mission Statement

The Impact International Schools (IIS) exist to empower orphan, handicap and autistic children, as well as young women to reach their full potential by providing sustainable, affordable and accessible quality education and primary healthcare to vulnerable children and young women in Hastings village and beyond.

 

 Join Our IIS Advisory Council!

Apply to become part of our new advisory council!

Being a part of the IIS Advisory Council is a great way to serve the education community and learn more about the work we do. This newly established council will connect with our team and community in Sierra Leone. IIS is collaborating with KDSL Global, a leading learning organization focused on empowering educators and education businesses globally, on organizing this council.

We are looking for a dedicated group of individuals from around the world who work in the field of education and are seeking a new, challenging opportunity to serve.

Advisory Council members may:

• Give feedback and input on initiatives
• Serve on committees
• Provide funding leadership

IIS Advisory Council members will serve for a two-year term starting in April 2020. To apply please email your resume and a short note about why you would like to serve on the council to www.mohamedabasssankoh88@gmail.com  and kdslglobalinfo@gmail.com. The deadline to apply is 20 April 2020.

 

Thank you for your interest in this new council!

KDSL Global Fellows 2020

KDSL Global, based in the United Arab Emirates and in the United States, is pleased to announce our new fellows.  The fellowship will run from January-December 2020 with a focus on writing, leadership, and launching a new education idea.

 

Abdul-Razak Issah has been teaching for the past 9+ years at the basic schools in Ghana.  He is a father of 3 and grew up in Bunkpurugu in the Northern Regions of Ghana. Issah attended Tamale College of Education, where he studied a Diploma in Basic Education and majored in Mathematics and Science. In addition, he also pursued a BBA degree in Accounting in one of the Premier Christian University called Valley View university.

Issah’s first teaching job was at Dakpema MA primary school where he taught maths and science from 2010-2013. He was also the lead teacher for coaching newly posted student teachers from the colleges of education on teaching ethics and student’s rights. He was promoted to the rank of Senior Superintendent II in the year 2013. Then after that, he was transferred from Dakpema MA primary school to Methodist Experimental primary school to teach maths and science. When he started at his current place of work, due to the socio-cultural background of the pupils, Issah realized that the attrition rate for female child was so high and it was as a result of how females are viewed. It has been a great challenge and he is designing a project to bring out some teachers to help address this problem.

 

 

Ezirim C. Kennedy JP is a Global Citizen, Justice of Peace, Ambassador for Peace, Humanitarian, Educationist, SDGs Advocate and a Sports Consultant. He is the Founder of Yagazie Foundation, Yagazie Sports and African Coaches League which serves mankind in different ways respectively. 

A member of the Alumni Association of Ecole Superieur De Gestion Et De Technologie where he studied International Relations and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree, Kennedy has had leadership roles right from elementary school days onward. He has a passion for leadership and that’s why he took some leadership roles with some local organisations in Nigeria and Africa, such as African Coaches League, Yagazie Foundation, African Youth Leadership & Economic Summit (AYLES) etc. He had some professional trainings with GIZ, British Council, FATE Foundation etc. Kennedy always wants to make an impact and sustained societal development to the people in his jurisdiction or any one he comes in contact with. He also has a passion for peace, leadership, humanity, education, sports, good governance and the execution of projects from the grassroots. Kennedy has organised grassroots education, sports, environmental and peace development program across Nigeria and Africa to help give sustainable resilience to the unreached, underserved and less privileged person from disadvantaged background across Nigeria and other African communities.

 

Launch of new association focused on international educators and leaders of color

Dallas, Texas, January 6, 2020 – A new international education association focused on the global majority has launched. The Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) is devoted to amplifying the work of international educators and leaders of color with a focus on advocacy, learning, and research.

“When I started working in education internationally it was rare to connect and see others who looked like me. We want to make sure educators and leaders of color know there is a community to support them,” said AIELOC Founder Kevin Simpson.

Simpson is founder of KDSL Global, a leading learning organization focused on empowering educators and education companies globally. He has served 500+ schools and thousands of educators in 20 countries worldwide. His journey working abroad started in 2005 in Vientiane, Laos.  Almost three years ago Simpson set up a Facebook group devoted to sharing opportunities for educators and leaders of color after a highly qualified colleague was discouraged from pursuing a leadership position because her country of origin did not match the expectation.

Last year Simpson’s company researched the race and gender of school leaders at US Department of State Assisted Schools around the world. The findings showed that leaders were mostly white and male. An infographic with more information is found here: https://kdslglobal.wordpress.com/2019/06/14/who-leads-leadership-and-diversity-at-us-department-of-state-assisted-schools/

AIELOC is collaborating with companies around the world whose actions are focused on changing the narrative of who leads in the international education space, such as EDspired, The Global Sleepover, Bhudye Group, The Diversity Collaborative, and Live. Love. Teach!, LLC.

 

For further information, please contact Kevin Simpson

Tel: +312.478.1695 | aieloc2019@gmail.com

 

Meet our new AIELOC Intern – Isabella Ellwein

Welcome to our new AIELOC Intern! Isabella Ellwein is a junior at Oregon State University majoring in Cultural Anthropology with minors in Education and Spanish. She has a passion for social policy, advocacy, and working with others. Isabella previously researched the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center in Salem, Oregon, evaluating the effectiveness of the department to ensure it was rehabilitating the youths. She is also on the executive board of the Here to Stay club at Oregon State University, where she helps bring awareness to the issues DACA and undocumented students face in education and focuses on advocating for change. Isabella is the granddaughter of Cuban immigrants and holds her heritage close to her heart. Seeing that this company empowers leaders of color to have a voice in education is amazing to her. Through this internship, Isabella hopes to improve her research skills, learn more about social policy advocacy, and gain a better understanding of the discrimination educators of color face.

AIELOC is devoted to amplifying the work of international educators and leaders of color with a focus on advocacy, learning, and research.

 

KDSL Global Managing Director selected as a judge for the GESS Education Awards 2020

 

We are thrilled to announce the 7th annual GESS Awards, whether you’re a teacher, supplier or anyone in education this is your chance to celebrate excellence in the education industry.  The Gala will take place on 26 February 2020 in Dubai at the H Hotel. KDSL Global Managing Director Kevin Simpson has been selected as a judge for the awards.

What are the Awards?

The awards highlight and reward the quality and diversity of educational products, resources, services and people as well as the best educational establishments and the most dedicated members of the teaching profession. The GESS Education Awards aim to encourage the raising of educational services & product standards throughout the industry and aims to be recognised throughout the sector as the accolade of excellence.

 

For more information on GESS Education Awards visit https://www.gessawards.com
Meet the team of judges here https://www.gessawards.com/judges

 

 

KDSL Global interviews Valda Valbrun

Our KDSL Global Intern recently had the opportunity to interview Valda Valbrun, CEO of The Valbrun Consulting Group. This group was started by a teacher and is committed to leadership and equity is shaped by their own experiences as students, teachers, and leaders. Their goal is to build the capacity of leaders to address inequities and create organizational cultures that honor diversity.

What services does The Valbrun Consulting Group offer? 

We offer strategic planning and technical support to K-12 school districts. We help districts develop their strategic plans as well as help them to manage and execute the strategies. As a former school principal and district leader myself, I recognize that schools and districts sometimes benefit from a fresh set of eyes to help them audit existing initiatives and review data to determine the return of investments. We also help build the capacity of teachers and leaders to lead efforts for school improvement and we are especially committed to ensuring that they do so in a way that honors diversity and commits to creating equitable environments in schools.

 

 

Tell us about your leadership development training.

We provide professional development and coaching that equips leaders with skills, tools and the ability to advance improvement efforts. We work with aspiring and new leaders to support them as they advance towards the principal role, and work to support experienced school leaders, principal supervisors and district personnel as they demonstrate commitment to personal and professional growth, including in their development of cultural proficiency and the management of diverse teams.

 

We work to determine client’s specific needs and use a co-design model to develop the appropriate supports. We believe that developing leaders is part of a journey and that leadership can often feel like a lonely job, so we strive to support leaders by being a thought partner, and helping them to advance the mission and vision of the organization.

 

 

What are some strategies to improve workplace culture and teamwork?

I think workplace culture is essential to having high performing teams! If nothing else, I see that as the most important part of any leader’s job – to create and model the type of culture where employees feel valued and respected and as if they are a part of something, that without them, couldn’t be. That requires a real commitment to people and a willingness to lead with both your head and your heart. It requires strong emotional intellect and the ability to make genuine connections with others. As they say, people don’t leave jobs, they leave bosses- so it’s important to set the tone from the top, that demonstrates a solid culture of respect and team-building.

 

 

Ms. Valda Valbrun is an established Educational Leader known for passion toward inclusive, research-based, data-driven pedagogy, a system change facilitator with a proven track record of supporting schools and districts to change educational practices and establish systems, and a dynamic Professional Developer, Teacher, Administrator, Entrepreneur, Advocate and Student Champion. She has worked with national school districts on Leadership Development and Executive Coaching and provides coaching and training to aspiring, newly appointed and experienced principals and has worked as a school turn-around partner.

She started her career over 25 years ago as a teacher in the Broward County (FL) schools before becoming a Professional Developer and secondary school administrator in Montgomery County (MD). She has a strong background in school administration, having served as a middle school principal. She is committed to professional development and closing achievement gaps and never waivers in her commitment to instructional and leadership improvement, both on the macro-level of a school system and on the micro-level of an individual classroom teacher and leader. She has taken these experiences and founded The Valbrun Consulting Group where she serves as the CEO.

Ms. Valbrun works directly with school and district leaders to advance improvement initiatives and understands that leaders must be lifelong learners and that better solutions come from groups with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Her experience includes work in rural, suburban, and large, urban districts and she currently provides leadership training, coaching and consulting across the country in addition to providing training specifically to build Culturally Proficient Leaders.

Ms. Valbrun received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Journalism from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a Master of Science degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University. She also completed post-graduate certification in School Administration and Leadership at Johns Hopkins University. She is a trained executive coach and Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)© Qualified Administrator. In addition to her school and district level leadership roles, Ms. Valbrun has also served as the Director of Professional Learning at ASCD and as the Executive Director of Organizational Development for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina, where she currently resides.

Who Leads? Leadership and Diversity at US Department of State Assisted Schools

Apply to join our new KDSL Global Advisory Council

 Join Our Advisory Council!

Are you interested in collaborating with education colleagues around the world? Apply to become part of our new advisory council!

Being a part of the KDSL Global Advisory Council is a great way to serve the education community, learn more about the work we do, and connect with colleagues around the world. This newly established council will connect with our team, partners, fellows, and our affiliates.

The council will consist of six individuals from around the world currently working in the field of education.

Advisory Council members may:

• Give feedback on initiatives
• Write for our blog
• Have priority to serve on projects
• Host and attend virtual and in person education events
• Act as an ambassador for KDSL Global

 

KDSL Global Advisory Council members will serve from August 2019 until June 2021.

To apply please email your resume and a two minute video introducing yourself and why you would like to serve on the council to kdslglobalinfo@gmail.com.  The deadline to apply is 21 June 2019.

 

 

Thank you for your interest in our new council!

New KDSL Global Senior Associate

Meet Ashley Green, our new KDSL Global Senior Associate.

Ashley Green’s passion for global education has led to her teaching in classrooms and collaborating with teachers from all over the world. Her desire to become a global educator began when she taught students in England, and had the chance to make connections between the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and Common Core standards. Since then, she’s honed those skills in Dubai; in both Elementary and Middle school settings as a full time classroom practitioner.

 

Ashley is a lifelong learner and believes that while she is an educator; she will always be striving to improve her own practice. She’s currently employed as a Middle School Math Teacher Leader, specializing in differentiating within the Secondary Math classroom. She also works as an Achievement Coach, assisting students with preparing for life beyond grade school.

 

Ashley holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and has developed and written curriculums for English, Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3-8. She obtained a Gifted Endorsement in 2015 and also served as an ambassador for Gifted and Talented Education in Georgia, USA. Ashley was selected in 2018 as the first ASCD Emerging Leader based in the Middle East.