AAIE News & Updates

AAIE is proud to announce that Corey Topf (American International School of Budapest), Joe Bonnici (American School of Lima, Peru) and the Global Impact Diploma (GID) have been named recipients of the AAIE Dr. Keith Miller Innovation Award, honoring values-driven innovation that advances learning and leadership across the international school community.  

The Global Impact Diploma emerged from a powerful, and collective, question: What do our students need to truly thrive? Three priorities surfaced clearly and consistently: agency, meaningful learning experiences, and well-being. These principles now anchor every aspect of GID’s design. At its core is a competency-based, impact-aligned framework centered on six transferable competencies: Drive, Impact Design, Collaborative Impact, Empathetic Impact, Reflection, and Communication. This intentional shift moves learning beyond content coverage and time-based progression toward the skills, dispositions, and habits students need to flourish in an increasingly complex world. The program is further distinguished by collaborative and flexible course design, iterative and formative assessment practices, and a deep commitment to student well-being and human flourishing, grounded in research on autonomy, belonging, purpose, and psychological safety.

Equally compelling is the culture of inquiry, experimentation, and shared leadership that defines the GID community. Schools are encouraged to pilot new ideas, adapt learning to local contexts, and openly share what they are learning — fueling continuous improvement across the network. This spirit of innovation has already sparked creative initiatives, cross-school learning, and new collaborative pilots with established programs like the Dual Diploma with the International Baccalaureate.

The impact is clear. In its first year, GID is growing, with additional schools set to join for the 2026–2027 academic year. Even more telling, 91% of participating students report they would recommend GID courses to their peers, a powerful affirmation of the program’s relevance, resonance, and promise.

The Global Impact Diploma exemplifies what is possible when the international school community comes together around a shared purpose: innovative, human-centered learning that prepares young people not only for university, but for meaningful lives of contribution.

The Association for the Advancement of International Education is honored to recognize Corey Topf, Joe Bonnici and the hundreds of educators who have contributed to the Global Impact Diploma with the Dr. Keith Miller Innovation Award, celebrating a transformative initiative that embodies the very spirit of innovation, collaboration, and courage for which this award was created.

AAIE is pleased to announce that Dr. Nick Glab, School Director of Colegio Jorge Washington (COJOWA), has been selected as the AAIE Superintendent of the Year.

This recognition honors Nick’s exceptional leadership, sustained service, and profound impact on learning communities both within his school and across the international education landscape in Latin America.  

Over nearly twenty years at COJOWA, Nick has served the school in various leadership capacities, consistently demonstrating a deep commitment to the mission and community of Colegio Jorge Washington. For the past eight years, as School Director, Nick has guided the school with a clear vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to nurturing and challenging every learner to thrive and serve.

Nick’s has placed a powerful emphasis on service learning and student engagement as central drivers of meaningful education. Under his leadership, service learning is not a standalone program, but a defining expression of the school’s mission - one that builds empathy, agency, and responsibility in students while strengthening authentic connections with the broader community. His integration of project-based learning further deepens student voice and ownership, ensuring learning is purposeful, relevant, and rooted in real-world impact.

Through Nick’s vision and steady leadership, COJOWA has become a school where students and educators alike want to stay and grow. He has intentionally cultivated a strong, trust-based community in which people feel connected to a shared purpose, valued for their contributions, and confident in the school's direction.

Marked by collaboration, transparency, and purpose, Nick’s leadership has strengthened outcomes for students while building a resilient and engaged school culture. His influence extends beyond COJOWA through his contributions to regional and global professional learning, where he continues to model and share practices that advance international education.

AAIE congratulates Dr. Nick Glab on this well-deserved honor and thanks him for the leadership, vision, and commitment to service that continue to inspire our global community.

This year, at the AAIE Global Leadership Conversation, we had beautiful hand-made lanyards for our attendees. Here is their story: 

The Story of Shantumbu Women’s Group, Zone Ten

Just outside the Lusaka National Park, in the heart of Zambia, a group of determined and visionary women have come together to transform their lives and communities through sustainable and alternative sources of income. Known collectively as the Shantumbu Women’s Group, Zone Ten, this initiative is a collaboration with Game Rangers International (GRI) and comprises three smaller, vibrant community groups: Shachiwondwe Women’s Group, Kakhutula Women’s Group, and Shamubola Women’s Group.

Expanding Opportunities Through Partnerships

Last school year, the American International School of Lusaka (AISL) donated a sewing machine to the Shantumbu Women’s Group, thanks to funds raised by the Wildlife Club—a cocurricular service activity for primary students. This act of generosity inspired our Primary Assistant Principal, Simone Lieschke, and her visiting mother, Lynette Grey from Australia, to raise funds for two additional sewing machines. During Lynette's stay in Zambia, she conducted two workshops to train the women on operating the new machines and improving the quality of their products, particularly their shopping bags. Previously, the women crafted bags entirely by hand. Now equipped with sewing machines, they can significantly increase their production capacity, enhance product quality, and boost profits.

The women are continuing their work with GRI and have partnered with AISL to diversify their creative projects. With ongoing support from GRI and the AISL community, they aim to develop their businesses further. Most of the women in the group are single mothers, and their children face significant challenges, such as walking two hours each way to attend school. These partnerships provide a lifeline, helping to improve both their livelihoods and their children’s futures.

Building Sustainable Livelihoods

Prior to their collaboration with GRI, the women’s groups relied on unsustainable activities such as cutting trees for charcoal, poaching wildlife, and hand-ploughing their fields. With education and support from GRI, they transitioned to more environmentally friendly income-generating projects. Through sewing initiatives, they generate income to support their children’s education, invest in farming machinery, reinvest in egg production, and purchase supplies for their bakery, where they bake bread to sell within the community. These efforts have enabled them to provide for their families while fostering community growth and environmental preservation.

Strengthening Communities 

The success of the Shantumbu Women’s Group goes beyond financial gain. These initiatives have fostered a sense of community and solidarity among the women. By pooling their resources, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another, they are not only improving their livelihoods but also empowering future generations to dream bigger and achieve more.

And the Story Continues

We are excited to share a meaningful story of generosity, learning, and growth. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Primary Wildlife Club at the American International School of Lusaka, and in partnership with Game Rangers International, a pedal sewing machine was purchased for the Shanumbu Women’s Group. But the story doesn’t end there.

Mrs. Simone Lieschke, our Primary Assistant Principal, and her mother expanded this initiative by fundraising in Australia for two additional sewing machines. During her mother’s visit to Zambia in June, they donated the machines and provided training, teaching the women how to use them and sew simple projects to sell.

Then came an exciting idea. In a conversation with Laura, Oli, the AISL Director, envisioned creating unique lanyards using vibrant Chitenge fabric, a colorful, patterned cotton material popular in Africa. The women eagerly took on the challenge, crafting 570 vibrant lanyards for the conference, with generous support from AAIE, who provided funding.

And here’s the truly transformative part…AAIE’s donation enabled the village to purchase a hammer mill, sparing women from the grueling hour-and-a-half walk with heavy bags of grain to have them ground. This has greatly improved their daily lives. 

On Friday, February 28, students from the Wildlife Club and AISL staff had the honor of joining GRI for the official ceremony to launch the mill. It was a truly humbling and joyful experience for everyone involved.

This journey is a testament to what collaboration, creativity, and commitment can achieve. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this possible!

Thank you to AISL for building sustainable livelihoods, strengthening communities and allowing us to enjoy the beauty of these handmade lanyards.