Governance in international schools is about how these schools are managed and led to ensure they provide high-quality education. It involves a Board of Trustees or Governors who work closely with the Head of the School to set policies, make strategic decisions, and oversee the school's operations. Good governance ensures that the school has clear goals, effective leadership, and a strong relationship with the community it serves.

In this episode, we talk with Abbi DeLessio, a senior executive with 17 years of educational leadership experience. She has chaired the board of managers at Hong Kong International School and brings expertise in governance and leadership.

Abbi discusses the differences in the hierarchy of school leadership, her preferences for elected and appointed board leaders, and the importance of prioritizing well-being and mental health for both leaders and students to manage work stress. She also shares the possibility of using AI to set new boards and how boards and leaders can collaborate. Tune in to learn more!

Timestamps:

Differences in School Leadership Hierarchy (05:34): Abbi discusses the contrasting structures of school leadership, including elected and appointed board leaders.

Elected vs. Appointed Board Leaders (08:15): Abbi shares her preferences regarding board leadership, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives.

Self-Perpetuating Boards and Diversity (10:15): Abbi explores whether self-perpetuating boards can inadvertently lead to a lack of diversity.

Mechanism of Two School Boards (13:03): Abbi explains how two distinct boards—governance and advisory—function collaboratively.

Collaboration Between Boards and Leaders (18:27): Abbi highlights the synergy between boards and leaders in achieving educational goals.

Abbi’s Thoughts on AI (21:55): Abbi reflects on the potential of AI in reshaping governance and decision-making processes.

AI for Setting New Boards (22:41): Abbi envisions AI assisting in the creation and optimization of school boards.

Using AI to Analyze Policies (25:40): Abbi suggests leveraging AI to analyze policies, align them with the mission, and detect inconsistencies.

Prioritizing Well-Being (27:19): Abbi emphasizes the importance of boards prioritizing student well-being and mental health.

Abbi’s Advice (30:01): Abbi shares advice for listeners, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and empathy in education.

Notable quotes

• "Good boards, plan, secure funds, and team up for lasting success."

• "Governance needs teamwork, open communication, and mission alignment.

• "Boards mix experience and fresh ideas for diverse sustainability."

Let’s Connect: Abbi DeLessio:

Email: abbi@ta-sttl.com

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbi-delessio-862b6473/

Connect with Dr. Dana Specker Watts:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachwatts

Connect with Mike Pierre:Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ayitis_SigmaMan
More resources:

Head over to iss.edu/events to see future PDs that ISS is offering for the SY 22-23.

Join the Diversity Collaborative platform-https://info.iss.edu/sign-up-diversity-collaborative

Head over to https://seniaacademy.org/link/0S40Ne to check out inclusion education practices for individuals with disabilities and ensure their potential is fully maximized.

Please visit inspirecitizens.org to register for the Global Citizenship

Are you looking forward to a successful career to teach anywhere in the world? Head over to https://moreland.edu/ for online innovative education programs.