Leadership in a Changing International Culture IB Conference of the Americas Dr. Peter J. Samaranayake Ph.D., Ed.D. (Dr. Sam…) July 14, 2012 Introduction: International Schools in general and IB schools in particular have „international understanding‟ both explicitly and implicitly stated in its goals. However, this is not something that will happen by itself without strategic action and planning. Often National schools that seek to become an IB school have to change their culture and encourage „international mindedness‟. Often this will involve changing the very ethos of the school. Hence providing leadership in a changing international culture becomes key. Learning Intentions: At the end of the presentations, the participants will 1. Have an appreciation of the different types of IB schools around the world 2. Understand that an international culture in a school is to be cultivated (despite a homogeneous or diverse population) 3. Recognize that most IB schools are at different stages of „international mindedness‟ 4. Know that moving from a „national‟ school to an international school will only happen by design 5. Deliberate on the challenges of providing Leadership in a Changing International Culture The Presenter will use his experience in different international schools in fourteen countries in America, Europe, Africa and Asia to raise probing questions that the participants may encompass as they try to provide leadership in a changing international culture. He will use Michael Fullan‟s “Leading in a Culture of Change” as one of the backdrops of his presentation. He will call on the individual experiences of the participants to discuss their own struggles in developing „international mindedness‟ and how Fullan‟s work has helped them in changing the ethos of their schools in their role as leaders. The modus operandi will be to give a brief introduction to the issue, then describe a few personal experiences and then invite participants to deliberate on their own challenges in changing the ethos of their schools. Most of the session will engage the participants (note I did not use the word audience) in interactive deliberation. Even though I will be the initial presenter, I expect that the nature of the topic will enthuse many „co-presenters‟ from within those present and my role thence will be to be the facilitator. I know how it will begin but I expect to be a fellow learner and am just as excited to see how it will proceed and end.
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