The Handbook of Research on Critical Issues and Global Trends in International Education addresses the growing complexity and diversity of international schools by examining the critical issues and global trends faced by practitioners in this field. With a lack of research on the experiences and actions of school practitioners in these isolated workplaces, this book aims to provide practical and evidence-based solutions. The book covers a wide range of topics, including equity and access, diversity, teacher retention, legal frameworks, school typology, governance, cultural competence, third culture kids, leadership and practice, technology, and parent engagement. Written by educational professionals, researchers, and anthropologists, it offers a unique collection of voices from those with lived experiences in this field, making it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the international school sector. Whether you are an educator, researcher, policymaker, school leader, lecturer, or anthropologist, the Handbook of Research on Critical Issues and Global Trends in International Education is a must-read comprehensive guide to the complexities and challenges of international education, providing practical solutions for improving the quality of education in this rapidly evolving field. If you are looking to gain a nuanced understanding of the critical issues facing international schools and evidence-based approaches for addressing these challenges, this book is the perfect resource for you.
Author Biography:
Megel is a future-facing and student-focused educational leader, with over 25 years of experience in leading change and serving families in the UK, Jamaica, and Oman. He is the incoming Middle School Principal at ABA Oman International School, a culturally diverse and IB World school in Oman. Megel is also the director of Embark Education Ltd, an educational consultancy based in the UK, supporting schools and school leaders with retention and recruitment of staff as well as providing bespoke workshops on improving school systems, critical thinking, data analysis, technology infusion, and ethical leadership. As an engaging presenter, he routinely challenges educators to align their practice with their beliefs and to embrace lateral thinking. He has opened the discourse about ethics training for educational leaders at the Middle East School Leadership Conference, challenged math educators to be courageous at the Middle East Mathematics Teachers Conference, is currently the GCC ASCD Teacher ambassador for Oman, founder of the Oman Learning Network, and presented at the IB World Conference in Abu Dhabi. Megel was also a mentor and reviewer for the ASCD Teach to Lead Summit in October 2019 as well as a contributing editor for the ASCD EdAdvantage Magazine. Megel is a staunch advocate of inquiry-based learning, skills-based learning, and brain-based pedagogy as the vehicle to develop self-directed learning in students. Conversations with Megel will invariably turn to wonderings about the optimal conditions for deep and powerful learning, how might we improve schools, and leading change to disrupt the status quo and improve outcomes. Yet at heart, Megel is a mathematics teacher who wants to see standards of pedagogy improved worldwide. His vision is to establish a learning community where students feel safe and achieve excellence. Megel holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership, a Fellow of the AAIE and the Institute of Mathematics, and has completed the prestigious NPQH. As a proud member of the Jamaican Diaspora, he currently serves as the Chair of the JMED Education Taskforce where he has facilitated numerous philanthropic activities in education, including presenting in a plethora of virtual conferences to Jamaican educators. Currently,
Robyn Hansen is the principal at Playa del Rey Elementary School, a two time A+ Arizona School of Excellence, in the Gilbert School District. She serves as a Principal Mentor for new principals to the district and is a National Certified Principal Mentor through the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). She serves the Gilbert District in many capacities including leading a grassroots effort to develop a comprehensive Teacher Evaluation System, including Administrative Inter-rater Reliability Training, Principal Evaluation System, and Governing Board Policy Committee. Prior to joining the team at Playa del Rey, she was the assistant principal at Highland Junior High School for 2 years (1999-2001) and Highland High School for 6 years (1993 – 1999) both in Gilbert. Her education experience began in Northern Wisconsin as a high school sports coordinator, teacher, and coach at Rhinelander High School where she is a proud alumna.
Dr. Conrad Hansen is an Associate Professor teaching in the College of Education specializing in graduate level Educational Leadership courses at Northern Arizona University (NAU) where she has taught for sixteen years. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Wisconsin~Eau Claire, with her Master's and Doctoral Degrees earned at Northern Arizona University, in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Dr. Hammer is an experienced and highly accomplished educator with education qualifications from the University of Melbourne, Macquarie University, Wilkes University, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, USA. He boasts over 20 years of international teaching and leadership experience using the International Baccalaureate (BA) and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) curricula. He is also an examiner, curriculum writer, and authorization writer for the Council of International School (CIS). He is on the Executive Committee of the Association of International Malaysian Schools (AIMS).
