Search Associates is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kelly Kramer as Interim Head of School at the International School of Busan (ISB) in Busan, South Korea, beginning in July 2026. A respected international school leader with extensive experience across Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, Dr. Kramer brings a thoughtful, collaborative leadership style and a deep commitment to building strong school communities.
Announcing the appointment on behalf of the ISB Board of Governors, Chairperson Paul Edwards shared the Board's confidence in Dr. Kramer's leadership:
Throughout the search process, Kelly stood out for her depth of international school leadership experience, her calm and thoughtful approach, and her clear understanding of the needs of a school community during a period of transition. We believe she has the experience, judgement, and personal qualities needed to provide strong continuity of leadership while also helping ISB move confidently into its next chapter. We are very pleased to welcome her to the ISB community.
Dr. Kramer currently serves as Head of School at the International School of Aruba, where she is completing her third year of leadership. Her previous appointments include Director of School at the International School of Dongguan in China and Superintendent at Colegio Internacional de Caracas in Venezuela. During her time in Caracas, she also served for three years on the board of the Association of American Schools in South America, further strengthening her commitment to international education and school leadership.
Following a recent visit to ISB, Dr. Kramer expressed her enthusiasm for joining the school community:
During my recent visit, I was deeply impressed by the welcoming community, beautiful campus, strong sense of purpose, and genuine care that people have for the school and for one another. I had the opportunity to visit classrooms, and the positive relationships, energy, and enthusiasm I witnessed among teachers and students created a vibrant atmosphere that reflects the very best of international education. I'm excited to work alongside a talented faculty and staff, to get to know our students and families, and to help continue building a school culture where people feel connected, supported, and inspired.
Dr. Kramer holds an Ed.D. from Edgewood University in Madison, Wisconsin, an M.S. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, an M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and a B.S. in Education from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.
Reflecting on the moments that have shaped her career, Dr. Kramer says her greatest rewards have come from witnessing entire school communities unite in support of students, “whether it's celebrating a graduation, watching a student gain confidence after struggling, or seeing teachers and staff rally around one another during a challenging time.” She also finds lasting fulfillment in “seeing students grow into compassionate, capable young adults and knowing that a whole community helped make that happen.”
Maya Angelou's words, "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud," often remind this school leader that kindness is central.
The way we make people feel, the encouragement we offer, and the hope we can bring to others—whether we're working with students, colleagues, or families—we all have the opportunity to brighten someone's day and make their path a little easier.
Outside of school, Dr. Kramer enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, exploring new cultures, and discovering local coffee shops wherever she lives. She is also an avid reader, especially books that deepen her understanding of leadership, humanity, and the experiences that shape people. As an international educator, she continues to value the opportunities that living and working abroad provide.
After many years in international education, I've found that one of the greatest joys of this work is the opportunity to learn from the places we live and the people we meet.
Search Associates congratulates Dr. Kelly Kramer on her appointment and wishes her every success as Interim Head of School at the International School of Busan. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the ISB Interim Head of School Search Committee for its outstanding partnership throughout the search process and thank all of the candidates who expressed interest in the position and contributed to a successful search.
