"Teach them the quiet words of kindness, to live beyond themselves. Urge them toward excellence, drive them toward gentleness, pull them deep into yourself, pull them upward toward maturity, but softly like an angel arranging clouds. Let your spirit move through them softly."

-Pat Conroy, The Prince of Tides

The AISH and AAIE Leadership Mentoring and Coaching Program

Are you a new International School Head/Director or a current Head of School who wants a leadership coach or mentor? Do you ever wish you could call a highly respected, experienced international school leader for advice? Would access to such a trusted colleague support you in your leadership development journey and especially when unexpected situations arise as you lead your school within the complex international landscape? We believe the answer is “Yes” to each question. 

Whatever your situation, we want to help ensure you have experienced support available to you! The Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE) and the Academy for International School Heads (AISH) are collaborating to provide our international leadership community with a meaningful mentor/mentee/leadership coaching program.

The mentors/leadership coaches are AAIE and AISH members who are experienced international school heads who have volunteered to support fellow leaders. They connect with you, via skype, email or phone any interval of time as mutually agreed upon. This service is gratis, all we ask is that you are a member of AISH and/or AAIE.

Should you wish to participate, please email Mark Ulfers at mark@aaie.org or Deb Welch at debwelch@academyish.org to let us know your unique areas of need for support within your leadership role. We will ask you some questions to ensure that we pair you with what you need.  For example, you may be a new Head who would benefit from a mentor who is available for advice and direction.  Or, you may be an experienced Head who would benefit from a colleague asking thoughtful questions in order to gain insights for greater leadership effectiveness.

You may prefer to be paired with a mentor who is especially skilled in finance, strategic planning or board leadership. You may prefer to work with a retired head that has a wealth of experience, or one who has been at a particular type of international school or location (size, geographic area, governance structure, curriculum model, etc.). We will do our best to find the right match for you with someone near your time zone and get you connected for the support you need to have ensure an outstanding  leadership season.

Again, this program applies to NEW and CURRENT heads of school. 

If you have any questions, please contact Mark Ulfers at mark@aaie.org or Deb Welch at debwelch@academyish.org for more information. If you are interested in serving as a mentor to a new head, please also contact Mark or Deb at the same email addresses.