From teacher to leader, a founder shares his inspiring way forward.

GUEST COLUMN | by Philip Bowman

For too long, the role of teachers and school staff has been narrowly defined—focused primarily on individual student success, with only peripheral attention given to the broader structural changes shaping education. Our schools and educational systems need more than just capable administrators as leaders; they need classroom innovators who understand the evolving educational landscape at ground level and can drive the necessary changes for our students and staff to truly thrive.

‘Our schools and educational systems need more than just capable administrators as leaders; they need classroom innovators who understand the evolving educational landscape at ground level and can drive the necessary changes for our students and staff to truly thrive.’

The Urgent Need for Change

Our schools face unprecedented challenges. The global pandemic disrupted traditional learning models, and the rise in mental health concerns over the past decade has only increased the pressures on educators. Many have been stretched to their limits, leading to burnout for some. Yet, others have been tirelessly searching for solutions, experimenting with new approaches in their classrooms.

In my own teaching experience, I felt compelled to develop an effective pedagogical approach that facilitated short, meaningful one-to-one learning conversations, placing students at the center of their educational journey. A six-year retrospective study, led by UDL & MTSS expert Katie Novak and published in NASEN’s Support for Learning Journal, revealed that when implemented consistently, these reproducible five-to-seven-minute conversations have a significant impact, with an effect size of Cohen’s coefficient .91—ranking it in the top 5% of educational interventions.

Encouraged by my wife, also an educator, I began sharing this approach with colleagues, administrators, and eventually at international conferences. My head of school, principals, and supervisors recognized the positive change within our school and supported my decision to form an edtech company to extend impact beyond the walls of International School Bangkok.

Technology as a Tool for Enhancing Relationships

As we work to transform our schools, it’s crucial to recognize the role that technology can play—not as a replacement for human connection, but as a powerful tool for enhancing it. Technology has the potential to engage students in new ways, personalize learning experiences, and streamline administrative tasks. However, the true value of edtech lies in its ability to strengthen the relationships that form the foundation of effective education.

The most successful edtech solutions are those that prioritize relationships within the school community. Platforms like the one I’ve worked to build empower educators to track student progress in real time, offering insights into both academic performance and wellbeing. This data-driven approach allows teachers to respond more effectively to each student’s needs, ensuring that interventions are timely and targeted. These tools do not replace the personal connections between teachers and students; rather, they enhance them by providing educators with the resources to be more attuned and responsive.

In our schools, we must continually ask ourselves whether we are using technology to foster deeper, more meaningful interactions. Are we freeing up time for teachers to engage with students on a personal level? Are we leveraging the insights provided by edtech to better understand and support each student’s journey? The goal should always be to reinforce the human connections at the heart of education, not to replace them.

‘The goal should always be to reinforce the human connections at the heart of education, not to replace them.’

Embracing Leadership by Sharing Your Vision

As we look to the future, I urge all teachers and school staff to see themselves as leaders, both inside and outside the classroom. Each of us has the potential to drive significant change, but the true impact of our work can only be realized when we share our initiatives with others. Whether you’ve developed a new approach to student engagement, created a wellbeing program that’s making a difference, or harnessed technology in a way that transforms learning—don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with your colleagues, present it at conferences, publish your findings, and collaborate with educators worldwide.

When I first developed my pedagogical approach to one-to-one learning conversations, I had no intention of creating a company. I simply wanted to share something that works. But in doing so, I discovered that many others were looking for similar solutions and wanted to contribute to and improve upon what I had started. Less than two years after our beta platform launched, we are now in nearly 50 schools, helping to ensure that students are safe, ready to learn, and thriving. In multiple schools, we’ve already been credited with saving students’ lives.

By stepping forward and sharing your innovations, you too can contribute to a collective effort to reshape education for the better. In the process, you might see your impact grow larger than ever expected and inspire others to do the same. 

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Philip Bowman is co-founder and CEO of MARIO Education and a highly experienced special educator with a career that started in the U.S. and took him to the International School Bangkok, where he worked for 13 more years until the founding and rapid growth of MARIO Education necessitated his full-time leadership and a departure from the classroom. Philip has been named EdTech Digest’s School Leader of the Year for 2024. Connect with Philip on LinkedIn.

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