During her 20 years of working with culturally diverse students in Texas, Ashia L. Bell came to understand the importance of guiding them to become global citizens. She also hoped to become one herself. Ashia recalls when her mother’s health declined:
Before she passed away, she told me to get out of the United States and see the world… I decided to pursue international administration because I wanted to immerse myself in another culture and learn firsthand the language, customs, and traditions. So, in 2018, I began this international education journey in Berlin, Germany as an assistant principal at John F. Kennedy School of Berlin, and I haven’t looked back ever since!
Now in her 24th year in education—10 of them teaching Grades 3 and 5 in Texas and 10 as Assistant Principal in both the U.S. and Germany—Ashia is enjoying her 4th year as a principal in Kuwait. Search Associates (SEARCH) has been privileged to support her international school journey. She shares her excitement about teaching overseas:
What I love most about it are the students, and the lifelong friends in education I have made around the entire world.
As a young adult, Ashia did not initially envision herself as an educator. Inspired by her mother’s career, she first earned a BBA in accounting. But while volunteering at an elementary school in Houston, she was moved by “the heartwarming sensation of seeing the lightbulb go off in students” when they learned something new. Soon after, she earned certification in Early Childhood through Grade 8 to begin her career in teaching. Since that day, Ashia has gone on to complete a master’s in education and is now pursuing her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.
When the time came to move overseas, Ashia followed the advice of friends already teaching internationally and registered with top recruitment agencies. Having discovered SEARCH through colleagues at her first international school, she registered and was impressed with the agency’s support. On the SEARCH website, she especially appreciated the Job Postings search filter, the detailed School Profile information, and the ability to track applications.
Ashia takes full advantage of professional development and seminars at job fairs. Attending the Search London fair proved invaluable, and she plans to attend more fairs in the future. She also credits Senior Associate Gez Hayden, who she says has “served as an excellent liaison between the applicant and school.” Ashia knows she has found the right school when interviews make her feel she is among “potential colleagues who would provide a great support system.”
Having worked in schools both in the U.S. and abroad, Ashia has observed that international school leadership requires a strong focus on the social-emotional needs and overall well-being of educators working outside their home country. She explains:
In the U.S., leadership is primarily tied to academic performance and student achievement; international school leaders often take on additional responsibilities such as guiding teachers through visa processes, housing arrangements, and adjusting to cultural norms in the host country.
Ashia encourages prospective international educators to research not only schools of interest but also the cultural contexts in which they are situated. This preparation, she says, helps ensure “they are ready for both the professional and personal transitions that come with moving overseas.” She adds:
Stay open-minded and adaptable, as international education requires flexibility with cultural differences, school systems, and living abroad. Building strong relationships and maintaining resilience are key to thriving.
