What is Your Growing Edge? | Run Your Life #44

What is your sense of purpose as an educator? How do you sustain your motivation over time to ensure constant growth and development? What are the intangibles behind leading successful change and authentically transforming school culture? What does teaching with the head, heart, and hands mean? How do you become the best version of yourself? These are just a few of the questions explored in today’s episode with Madeleine Hewitt and Cathryn Berger Kaye. Both Madeleine and Cathryn bring a wealth of wisdom, insight, and knowledge with them having been in the field of international education for more than 30 years each. Drawing upon many major life lessons both personally and professionally, Madeleine and Cathryn share many gems that have allowed them to take action to strive for excellence within their roles in education. Creating systemic change that transforms school culture is dependent upon instilling within all stakeholders a genuine sense of purpose and meaning. Find out how Madeleine and Cathryn continue to clarify their life purpose through the work that they do and the steadfast commitment they have shown toward bringing out the very best in the teachers and students that they learn alongside. What is your growing edge? You are sure to find many takeaways in today’s episode with Madeleine and Cathryn. Thanks for listening! About Maddy and Cathy Maddy Hewitt Madeleine (“Maddy”)  Hewitt has served as the Director and a founding member of The KAUST School, a 3-programme IBO World School serving a research University community in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. Maddy has served previously in four other International Schools; The International School of Tanganyika, Taipei American School, Cairo American College, and the American International School of Johannesburg. Maddy holds a BA in English Literature from Mount Holyoke College,  and an M-Ed in Teaching, Curriculum and Learning Environments  from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has recently been appointed the new Executive Director of the Near East South Asia (NESA) Council of International Schools, effective July 2017. Maddy has a passion for systems work in schools, and has presented at international conferences on a wide range of topics including gender issues in schools, transforming school culture through teacher-led appraisal, and data-informed decision-making.  Maddy appreciates the case study method, and her workshops often start with case studies generated by participants and end with tools, systems and execution of strategy to drive change. Cathy Berger Kaye When asked, “Where do you live?” Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A., often answers “in Los Angeles and airports.” As president of CBK Associates and ABCD Books, Cathryn travels 200+ days a year globally providing professional development to schools and universities, conference keynotes, in-depth institutes, and exceptional education and learning resources on service learning, social and emotional realms, climate and culture, youth engagement and leadership, effective approaches to teaching and learning, and advisory programs. Cathryn is fortunate to spend significant time consulting with international schools worldwide, and has also been consulting with the International Baccalaureate Programme to assist in the development of the new CAS Guide, and program resources for the new IB Career Related Programme. Cathryn is the author of the widely used book The Complete Guide to Service Learning, and two books with environmental advocate Philippe Cousteau. A former teacher, Cathryn inspires with practical ideas that work, poignant stories worth remembering and strategies that enliven education. Having taught in rural, suburban and urban settings, and bringing years of experience in diverse settings, she is knowledgeable about the landscape of education and communities today. She is known for sustained relationships that build internal capacity for excellence.