AIELOC Statement on the Ban of Search Associates

by | Sep 23, 2025 | Blog

Effective immediately, the Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) hereby suspends all engagement with Search Associates. This decision stems from persistent and substantiated concerns raised by our members and applicants regarding exclusionary practices, a profound lack of accountability, and an insufficient commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) within Search Associates’ recruitment processes.
This action is a direct response to repeated reports from educators of color who have experienced or witnessed discriminatory treatment during recruitment activities facilitated by Search Associates. Such systemic issues are fundamentally incompatible with AIELOC’s core mission and values, which prioritize equity and justice in international education.

To consider reinstating engagement in the future, AIELOC calls on Search Associates to take the following concrete actions:

Appoint a Qualified Full Time DEIJ Leader:

Recruit and hire a DEIJ leader with proven expertise in anti-racism, inclusion, and equitable hiring practices. This individual must possess the authority to enforce accountability mechanisms across all associates, including the immediate dismissal of personnel who fail to adhere to established DEIJ standards.

Implement a Transparent Grievance Process:

Develop an independent and accessible mechanism for candidates to report incidents of bias, discrimination, or misconduct. This process must ensure guaranteed follow-up, robust accountability measures, and clear consequences for violations.

Partner with Marginalized Voices:
Collaborate meaningfully with individuals from historically underrepresented and resilient communities to review and reform recruitment policies and practices, ensuring they reflect inclusive and anti-oppressive principles, and pay them for their service.

Make Amends for Harm Caused:
Acknowledge and take responsibility for harm experienced by candidates, including issuing refunds and other appropriate remedies for those impacted.

Until these critical steps are fully and demonstrably implemented, AIELOC will maintain its suspension of engagement with Search Associates. We strongly urge all individual members, schools, partners, and allies within the international education community to join us in this stance as a collective commitment to upholding ethical standards.

AIELOC remains steadfast in its dedication to championing just, equitable, and inclusive hiring practices across all recruitment platforms. Should you have concerns regarding harmful practices by other recruitment organizations, we encourage you to contact our team at AIELOC via https://aieloc.org/contact-us/.

Taking a Sabbatical

by | Mar 23, 2024 | Blog

Why did I take a sabbatical?
Well, the Covid pandemic has been a challenge for educators everywhere and I was no exception. I was teaching online full-time for a year and a half in Indonesia, the second half of the second year teaching a hybrid model for students who still did not feel safe going back to the school campus. It was a steep learning curve and I do see the positives; I learned a lot about optimising the use of learning management platforms, creating virtual lessons, designing educational websites for asynchronous students, and working with a diverse group of people. However, I also saw the negatives, particularly when I was pursuing new roles – I think that international teaching has changed in the past few years, it is now downwardly mobile where packages are cut left, right and centre, with more and more countries wanting to tax all benefits. If a teacher did not get onto a leadership track very quickly, they find themselves having to take less and less each time they talk to a different school. Personally, I think everyone should be paid what they are worth, regardless of which country they end up working in. Schools trying to justify low salaries (some less than the minimum wage in Canada!) by telling teachers that the low cost of living and cheap travel make up for it, are exploitative at the very least. 
 
As a POC and holder of a passport that is not from a “native-English speaking” country, I also found my job applications last year (as an independent) either ignored completely or was told I was not a good “fit” (once by a so-called internationally-minded school in Singapore that AIELOC has identified as harmful to BIPOC teachers). My 17 years of math and science teaching experience in all levels of the IB, and leadership experience, most of which at top international schools in Asia, notwithstanding. I would add that I was hired at these top schools as a partner to my white, Canadian husband. I had faced micro-aggressions almost my whole teaching career, being expected to always be nice and polite, not have a strong opinion about anything and keep my ideas to myself…these take its toll on a person. I have had “conversations” with at least two male, white supervisors who wanted to talk to me about my tone of voice and “negativity” when I expressed myself in meetings, even though other colleagues who have said or done the same thing did not get a meeting. So, I guess my second reason is that I was just disillusioned with international teaching and needed a break to think about what else I can do with all the education I have had. 
 
For persons such as myself, there was an expectation of presenting and endorsing toxic positivity always. 
What do I learn during my sabbatical?
One thing I am still trying to learn halfway through my sabbatical is to be ok with not doing anything. Having worked pretty much since I graduated from university, having time to just be is not a natural state. But I think it’s needed for everyone. I am grateful I am able to do this and I understand that it’s not something that everyone can just do. Not doing anything and just being, is such a relief. I am also pursuing other interests such as data analytics courses, website design, yoga, swimming and lots of walking/jogging in parks. I am learning to appreciate sidewalks, easy access to fresh produce, and taking the time to reflect on my experiences in the past and what I want to do in the future. I learned that I need to slow down and not stress too much about things beyond my control. I am learning that I am not JUST a teacher, that I can do many other things. 
Advice I would give to anyone thinking about taking a sabbatical.
Do it! If you can, of course. I didn’t really plan this but was fortunate enough to have some savings and no children. So in hindsight, I would say, you need to plan for this, think about where you want to be and what you want to do during this sabbatical and put aside some money each month for it. Have a timeline and work towards it. Take online courses that you think might help you earn some money during your sabbatical while you are still working, it’s always good to have a backup plan. If you have a partner, maybe consider taking turns taking time off. If you want to do this together, then make sure you have lots of savings and no other debt! Finally, remind yourself that everyone needs a break and it’s not healthy to keep your nose to the grind your whole life. We don’t know what tomorrow brings, so why not enjoy the time we have on this planet as best as we can. 

Statement of Support for Sudan & Congo

by | Mar 9, 2024 | Blog

We, as global citizens, and the AIELOC community stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan and the Congo, especially the vulnerable young children, who have been gravely affected by the devastating conflicts happening in both countries. The conflicts have brought unimaginable suffering, displacement, and instability, leaving a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals across both nations. We recognize the urgency of addressing the dire humanitarian crises and the critical need for immediate assistance to alleviate the plight of those most affected.

Our thoughts are with the children of Sudan and the Congo, who are enduring the brunt of these crises, robbed of their childhoods and basic rights to safety, education, and a promising future. The trauma and hardships they are facing are a stark reminder of the urgent need for a concerted effort to ensure their protection, well-being, and access to essential services.

We call upon the international community to join hands in providing vital humanitarian aid, including food, shelter, medical care, and psychological support to the affected population, particularly the young children who are the most vulnerable and in need of special attention. It is imperative that we prioritize their safety and well-being, shielding them from further harm and offering them a chance to rebuild their lives in an environment of peace and stability.

We also extend our support to the schools in Sudan and the Congo that have been adversely affected by the ongoing conflicts and upheavals in their regions. These schools play a vital role in promoting educational excellence, fostering cultural exchange, and nurturing a global perspective. We urge the Sudanese and Congolese armed forces to cease-fire and prioritize the future generations of their respective countries. We also urge all other stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations, and international bodies, to prioritize the protection and restoration of education in Sudan and the Congo. Investment in the rehabilitation of these schools will help in securing the future generations of both nations.

We call upon the global community to redouble its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and support to schools within Sudan and the Congo, ensuring that they have the necessary resources, infrastructure, and funding to continue their critical mission. Together, we can rebuild these educational institutions, restore a sense of normalcy for the students and educators, and pave the way for peace and prosperity in both nations.

We stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan and the Congo, emphasizing the need for a sustainable and inclusive peace process that prioritizes the welfare and rights of every individual, regardless of age, ethnicity, or social background. We urge all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue and work towards a lasting resolution that ensures the protection of civilians within both nations.

Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting the resilience and strength of the people of Sudan and the Congo, especially the young children, as they strive to overcome the challenges imposed by the conflict. Our collective efforts can make a significant difference in restoring hope, dignity, and a sense of normalcy to their lives, enabling them to envision a future of peace, stability, and prosperity for themselves and their respective nations.

Love Letter – AIELOC

by | Feb 14, 2024 | Blog

Thank you to Dr. Liza Talusan whose REENTRY: A Love Letter from the National Association of Independent Schools and the People of Color Conference was the influence behind this letter to participants who attended the AIELOC Conference 2024.

Dear Colleagues,

We hope this letter finds you well and is filled with inspiration from our first ever in-person AIELOC Conference at the United Nations International School of Hanoi. It was an honor to have such a diverse and passionate group of educators come together to engage in meaningful conversations and share insights on fostering learning environments that are diverse, equitable, inclusive, welcoming, and affirming for all our students. In three short days, we laughed together, cried together, emoted together, consoled each other, and most importantly, we learned and listened to each other. 

Your active participation and thoughtful contributions made this conference a success, and we are truly grateful for your commitment to help us advance the work of AIELOC. 

As we transition back to our respective countries and international schools, we must shift our focus back to our students and begin the process of upholding the commitments we’ve made to them during our time together.  We know that you’ve acquired a plethora of knowledge and resources from the amazing workshops you attended and, understandably so, you’re still processing this information along with all of the emotions you experienced throughout the conference.

To help simplify things for you, we invite you to embrace the following mantra:  “Start Small, Dream Big”.  As we individually reflect on what that radical dream looks like for each of us, here are three guiding questions that you should consider:

  • What is one small thing that I can do immediately to work towards that radical dream?
  • How can I include my students in the process of radical dreaming? What active roles can they play?
  • How will I prioritize my self care as I’m doing this important work? What boundaries will I put in place to protect myself from harm?     

To continue the momentum and translate the valuable insights gained at the conference into actionable steps within your respective schools, here are a few recommended next steps from the article, “Embracing Uncomfortability In Support of Marginalized Students” that you can take right now:  

  • Interrogation of Personal Biases: We are all prejudiced and biased by human nature, so we need to conduct a personal audit of our feelings and behaviors around the issues of race, class, language, gender, sexual orientation, and other identity markers.
  • Agency Building: Educate yourself on the diverse perspectives of a specific issue so that you can develop your own informed perspective on the matter.  That can be reading books, listening to podcasts, learning from verified subject matter experts, etc.
  • Community Building: Surround yourself with a community of like-minded individuals who are just as determined to disrupt, learn, unlearn, relearn, and grow as you are.
  • Critical Humility: Decenter yourself and create space for your historically marginalized students.  That means recognizing your power and positionality to know that you can’t fully speak about oppressive acts against historically marginalized people without having the lived experience. Educate yourself to understand.
  • Mistakes are Inevitable, So Give Yourself Grace: Understand that mistakes will happen along the way.  That’s expected when you’re truly engaging in deep (un)learning and relearning.  Perfectionism has no place here.  Understand that call-ins are not condemnations but rather opportunities for growth.
  • Critical Empathy: Decenter yourself and take a step back to understand and educate yourself on the emotional impact that acts of oppression and discrimination have on historically marginalized people.  

Remember that fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice is an ongoing process that requires dedication and collective effort. Your commitment to these principles is instrumental in creating positive and lasting change in our international schools.

Once again, thank you for your participation in the conference. We look forward to witnessing the transformative impact of your efforts in your respective schools and communities.

See you in Accra!

Warm regards,

The AIELOC Team