Episode Details

Small International Schools are wide spread around the world, with their size come different dynamics in the culture, structures, educator and leadership approaches, finances juggling the daily workflows and community building, Jimena, Jeremy and Michael who have started an ECIS (https://www.ecis.org/) "Intentionally Small Schools" special interest group join us and share their experiences as small international school leaders and together we explore the uniqueness of small international school and the creative tensions that come with such schools.

Dr. Jimena Zalba 

Primary Principal    

The International School of Belgrade 

https://www.isb.rs/

Dr. Jeremy Majeski 

Principal

Frankfurt International School Wiesbaden Campus

https://www.fis.edu/ 

Dr. Michael J. Hibbeln 

Director 

International School of Krakow

https://iskonline.org/ 

About Dr. Jimena Zalba 

Jimena Zalba is an educational leader with over 22 years serving international schools in Serbia, Czech Republic, Romania and Cambodia. During her tenure as a school leader, Jimena has, in close collaboration with her colleagues, led the design and implementation of innovative school improvements with  high impact on student learning.  When teachers and colleagues describe Jimena, they use words such as ‘caring’, ‘change agent’ and ‘systems thinker’.  Jimena leverages these qualities and competencies to build and sustain thriving school cultures with a relentless commitment to learning and wellbeing for all members of a community.   In addition to being a transformational and constructivist leader, Jimena is a passionate and avid learner.  She holds a Masters in Education, a Post-Master’s in Educational Leadership and a Doctorate in Education (EdD) in July 2021.   Her EdD research focused on developing the professional capacity of educators in international schools. 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jimenazalba 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimena-zalba-edd-23828549/ 

About Dr. Jeremy Majeski

Dr. Jeremy Majeski is currently the principal at Frankfurt International School’s Wiesbaden Campus, a preschool through grade eight international school. Prior to this, Jeremy served as the elementary school principal at the American School of Barcelona as well as an elementary educator and administrator in the Chicago suburbs. Jeremy has been recognized for his work in leading efforts in making schools more welcoming for LGBTQ+ staff, students, and families.

He recently completed his doctorate in leadership in curriculum and instruction from Aurora University’s School of Education where his research focused on the experiences of gay and lesbian parents and schools. Jeremy has presented on topics of literacy, technology and leadership at conferences including the Illinois Reading Association, National Association of Elementary School Principals, District Administration and The Bett Show. In addition to his work in schools, Jeremy is an adjunct professor, teaching graduate courses in curriculum, instruction and leadership.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjmajeski 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jeremy-j-majeski-08693832/?originalSubdomain=de 

About Dr. Michael Hibbeln 

Dr. Michael Hibbeln is Director of the International School of Kraków, Poland.  Prior to his current role he served as the Elementary School Principal at Shanghai Americ