AAIE 2024: Learning Through Conversations with Educators from Across the Globe

This February 5-7, Search Associates (SEARCH) was proud to attend and serve as a major sponsor of the annual conference of the Association for the Advancement of International Educators (AAIE) in New York City. The 2024 AAIE Global Leadership Conversation, held at the JW Marriott Marquis, offered three days of powerful and engaging professional development opportunities and the perfect setting for international educators to connect face-to-face.

Joining the hundreds of educators and school leaders from around the globe were SEARCH Founder John Magagna, CEO Jessica Magagna, IT Support Specialist Gavin Magagna Hawk, Director of Consulting Services George Entwistle, Director of School Relations Sheena Nabholz, and Senior Consultants Eric Sands and Brent Mutsch

As has been true for so many years, thoughtful and purposeful planning by the AAIE team and AAIE Board fostered a wide range of enriching experiences. Keynote sessions, Head Talks, Deep Dives, and social events allowed participants to not only learn with and from colleagues from across the world but also to establish new and deepen previous professional friendships.

AAIE gathered a diverse and inspiring array of keynote speakers and session leaders. Presenting on topics that were relevant, innovative, and thought-provoking, the speakers facilitated fascinating conversations among the 500+ participants. Sheena recounts,

Two highlights of the conference for me were the keynote by Rachel Caldwell, selected as Superintendent of the Year, who spoke “from the heart” and Emily Meadows’ conversation about LGBTQ+ safety and belonging in our international school community.

Our CEO, Jessica Magagna, had the privilege of introducing Dr. Meadows, whose work focuses on promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity within educational environments. This initiative aligns with our mission to foster more inclusive and equitable educational opportunities worldwide. Jessica’s heartfelt introduction was not only a testament to our organization’s commitment to embracing and driving change but also a reflection of our dedication to continuous learning and improvement in the field of diversity and inclusion. Dr. Meadows’ contributions have been instrumental in inspiring ongoing efforts to enhance inclusivity across educational institutions.

The opportunity to connect with leaders across the world is invaluable, and attending each AAIE Global Conversation is critical to Search Associates’ mission of promoting optimal learning experiences for students across the international school community. The entire Search Associates team was privileged to engage in countless discussions with deeply committed leaders on how we can be of assistance in enriching learning worldwide.