• A page about Liz Cho.

    learner. educator. leader. wannabe geek.

    apple distinguished educator.

    @cho_liz

     

    I've been an educator since 2003, and am a lifelong learner. I am currently the Director of Learning Development at Vientiane International School, Laos.

     

    Aristotle articulates my pedagogical philosophy perfectly: "Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” As for my life philosophy, I believe Maya Angelou said it best: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." Thank you, Aristotle and Angelou, for giving me the perfect words to share the essence of me, and I borrow them here to let you get a glimpse of what drives my professional and personal life practices.

  • Pedagogy

    “I dont want to be a super model. I want to be a role model.” ~Queen Latifiah

    Educational Philosophy

    In the words of Steve Jobs, there is something beautiful about staying hungry, staying foolish, which I interpret as the yearning for self-improvement with the humility to learn from the past.

     

    No one should ever stop learning. Everyone can learn, and it is our imperative as educators to lead by example so that we inspire our students and colleagues to be compassionate, to see the potential within themselves and each other. This is achieved through seeing ourselves as learners foremost before we call ourselves teachers or leaders and understanding how the two are intricately connected.

     

    I believe in the power and therefore the need for careful, intentional reflection for individuals and organizations to grow. I believe that reflection allows us to truly learn what it means to be our best selves, and I strive to weave reflective practices into my pedagogy and leadership.

  • Leadership Experience & Training

    “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

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    As we look ahead into the next century,  leaders will be those who empower others. ~Bill Gates

    Principal of Teaching and Learning at Korea International School 2018 - 2023

    Member of the senior leadership team overseeing teacher professional development and learning as well as the vertical and horizontal articulation of the curriculum from K to G12. Began the Teaching and Learning Coaches program; brought in Cognitive Coaching training for coaches, principals and teacher leaders.

     

    Director of Curriculum at Gyeonggi Suwon International School 2016-2018

    Oversaw vertical and horizontal articulation of all three PYP, MYP, DP IB Programmes and took charge of whole school professional development and learning. Improved transparency and collaboration within the school community and brought global visibility by creation of the school hashtag #KnightsROK. Took the school through a successful WASC special progress report and visit by addressing all six critical areas for follow-up.

     

    IB CAS Coordinator 2014-2016

    Responsible for Creativity, Activity and Service Learning component of the high school curriculum.

     

    High School Humanities Curriculum Team Leader 2013-2016

    Facilitated monthly Humanities Department Team meetings with CFG protocols and PLC models to share student work, lead discussions regarding student learning and align English and History curricula for grades 6-12.

     

    Cognitive Coaching trained 2017 (Advanced Coaching Trained via Cognitive Consultancy 2021)

    "The mission of Cognitive CoachingSM is to produce self-directed persons with the cognitive capacity for excellence both independently and as members of a community." It is "a research-based model that capitalizes upon and enhances teachers’ cognitive processes."

     

    Adaptive Schools trained Feb/Apr. 2015

    Trained "to develop the collective identity and capacity of organization members as collaborators and inquirers" with Robert Garmston.

     

    WASC Accreditation Visiting Committee member (trained since 2014)

     

    Student Council Advisor 2010-2016

    Trained and empowered student leaders to establish a strong base for student government with refined constitution, voting procedures, leadership retreats, structured meetings and follow-up to execute successful events for the student body that builds a strong sense of community.

     

    Senior Class Advisor 2010-2016

    Responsible for organizing senior class related events such as Week Without Walls, IB Celebration of Learning, Senior bonding trip and graduation.

     

    School Improvement Team (SIT) Facilitator 2013-14

    Facilitated Literacy SIT’s meetings with CFG protocols and PLC models to lead discussion, make decisions, implement changes and make recommendations to the school’s Leadership Team regarding Literacy goals of the school.

     

    School Reform Initiative Critical Friends Group (CFG) advance trained 2012

    Trained in “Using CFG protocols to further develop PLCs” with Jason Robinson.

     

    Model United Nations (MUN) Director 2004-2012

    Trained and organized students to research current events, various countries' perspectives, write position papers and resolutions to worldly issues, speak in public, and compete/participate in prestigious MUN conferences held in places such as UPenn, UVA, THIMIUN Singapore, BEIMUN.

     

    PLC Team Leader for Grade 10 AP History and Pre-AP English teachers 2007-2009

    Trained with the DuFours in Atlanta, GA; facilitated weekly meetings with the entire Grade 10 Team to focus on student work sharings, curriculum alignment and planning.

     

    International Director, Global Leadership Adventures; Tema, Ghana 2008

    Oversaw four adult mentors and the National Director. Worked with 60 high school students from around the world by teaching a course in Leadership, overseeing three specific service projects, and leading them on excursions to various sites in Ghana.

  • Professional Sharing

    "If you have knowledge,  let others light their candles in it." ~Margaret Fuller

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    Nobel Prize Dialogue, Seoul

    Keynoter and Panelist

     

    Invited to Keynote and take part in the Nobel Prize Dialogue held in Seoul, Korea, with 5 Nobel Laureates and other educators in the field of science and technology, to discuss teh future of education in the age of rapid technological advancements.

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    Publication

    Contributing Author

     

    Ch. 10: "The Healing Power of an International Community"

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    PD Course Instructor

    ISS Jan-Feb. 2022

    Sharpening Your Creative Leadership

     

    Four-week course on how to lead with creativity and authenticity.

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    Seoul of a Leader

    Sep. 2021

    "Meat" & Greet: How to create spaces for authentic reflection, vulnerability, courage, and pride

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    Educators Blog

    “You Can Create Your Own Textbook: Flipboard in the Classroom with Liz Cho" by Desiree Browne

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    Keynote Speaker

    Subtle Art of Giving a _ _ _ _

    "How do we align the professional learning model with a vision of learning? While this can require very specific steps for different schools, there are some helpful universal considerations when planning for professional learning in your institution. Come discuss how to make small changes that have a large impact in shifting your school's culture into one where everyone learns and engages, together. Come find out how to fill in the missing blanks."

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    Keynote Speaker

    Apple Leading Innovation Summit

    Building a Culture of Learning

    "You’re invited for an exciting two-day summit designed for K–12 leaders to advance your vision for learning with technology. You’ll explore best practices for enriching student learning with technology and the leadership considerations for building innovation programs. You’ll also have the opportunity to network and share with leaders from other schools with technology-rich learning environments in Southeast Asia.​" -Apple Singapore Team

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    Keynote Speaker

    May the silks be with you

    "[....] Have you wondered what force you have hidden inside you that just might let you [fly]? Let this silks journey be the metaphor to help you remember how to find that force within. Come fly with me and hopefully find the inspiration to build your community of learners that just might inspire innovation within your schools."

     

    Invited for repeated Keynote at #KORCOS18, Nov. 2018

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    Strong Women #LiftEachOtherUp

    Women Leadership in Education #WLead

    Co-Presented with Ceci Gomez-Galvez

    Shared our experience of how physical exercise led to the unplanned empowerment of a community of women.

     

    "[...] The holistic approach to our wellbeing led us to learn from one another what it means to be strong women leaders, both in body and mind. Let’s build an understanding for the power of movement. Let’s break the myth of competition."

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    EARCOS Leadership Conference

    #ELC2017BKK Oct. 2017

    Get your head out of your 'BUT'!

     

    "[...] We have got to do as we say, get out there and do the work alongside our teachers. But we’re so busy… so what does that look like? [...] Come ready to be human, and see how that can make all the difference in your school culture. No more “BUT”s! #letshavefun #letsmodel #letsengage"

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    Global Ed Leaders Summit

    #21cgels @#21clgels Apr. 2017

    Power of Innovation and Servant Leadership

     

    Invited to be a presenter at the inaugural GELS conference in Bangkok, Thailand by 21CL, representing GSIS as an innovative school in the Asia region in regard to how leadership can promote a positive change in school culture.

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    21CL Hong Kong

    #21clhkg Mar. 2017

    Admin, WTF?

     

    "Where's the Fun?" deux! Co-Presented with Mark McElroy on how to leverage fun with with our staff as administrators in order to create a culture of trust, care, competency and collaboration.

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    Vietnam Tech Conference 2017

    #vtcon Feb. 2017

    Meat and Great

    "Keep meetings meaty and don’t grate on the teachers… make them feel great instead!"

     

    Shared feedback tools, engaging and purposeful meeting structures as well as practical digital tools to save teachers from frivolous meetings.

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    Learning 2.016 Asia

    #Learning2 Oct. 2016

    Admin, WTF?

     

    "Where's the fun?" Presented to focused audience of leaders and administrators, sharing how to engage and empower teachers.

     

    Also served as Curriculum Administrators Cohort Leader.

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    ReThinking Literacy

    #reThinkingLit Apr. 2016

    Digital Tools for Literacy

     

    Shared the use of KaHoot!, Blogging and Social Media to assess understanding, target instruction and enhance critical thinking of both teachers and students as learners working together.

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    ACAMIS EAL Conference

    Nov. 2014

    Assessment Games: Cornucopia of Student Empowerment Tools

     

    Shared various formative assessments that can be used to measure student learning, keeping differentiation, creative engagement and timely feedback in mind.

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    EdCamp

    Nov. 2014

    Reimagining textbooks with Flipboard

     

    Shared the art of aggregating real-time content with students as co-contributors through the use of students' smart devices.

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    Learning 2.014 Asia

    Oct. 2014

    MS/HS English Cohort facilitator 

     

    ...at Learning2 Asia Conference in Bangkok, Thailand.


    Read more about Learning2.
    See on Twitter #learning2

     

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    Create Tech Conference

    Mar. 2014

    Making Global Connections

     

    Invited by the eLearning Team to present on how the use of blogs in my IB classroom enhances connectivity for students, making learning reflective, genuine and continuous.

     

    Read more on Create.

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    NCTE Conference

    Nov. 2013

    A Technological Approach to Global Literacy: Digitally Exploring World Englishes and Cultural Contexts in American and International Classrooms

     

    Proposal selected “from more than 2,000 submitted for [2013's] convention” (NCTE).

     

    Read more on NCTE.

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    ACAMIS EAL Conference

    Apr. 2013

    The Fantastic Four: Targeting Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking Skills in the HS Classroom

     

    Helping all students be astute and equal participants in critical discourse with the ProMISE protocol.

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    Graduation Keynote Speaker

    2011-2015

    Graduation Keynote Speaker 

     

    Representing all staff as a commencement speaker chosen by the seniors 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015.

  • Teaching Experience

    “I never teach my pupils, I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” ~Albert Einstein

    2009-2016

     

    IB English A Year 1 and 2 Teacher. Designed the IB Course Syllabi for English A1 Literature Last Exam Year 2012, Literature First Exam Year 2013, and Language and Literature First Exam Year 2013.


    AP English Language and Literature Teacher 2009-2010. Designed and successfully implemented the course with the 5-page syllabus approved by The College Board.


    Other Subjects Taught: Forensics (Art of Public Speaking), Asian Literature, Modern Literature, Senior Seminar, TOK, and Grade 9 Semester Writing Elective.

    2005-2009

     

    Pre-AP English Teacher. Collaborated with the AP World History teacher through a Humanities Program designed to implement best teaching practices for student learning.


    Other electives designed, implemented and taught: Forensics, Creative Writing, Film Study.

    Jul 2007: Cape Town, South Africa

     

    Teacher Mentor. Guided students through their travel from the U.S. to South Africa; collaborated with the director and other teacher mentors to lead small group discussions each night to debrief students’ service experiences in the townships; led various excursions to explore the country and its history.

     

    Jul 2008: Tema, Ghana

     

    International Director. Designed and taught a 4-week leadership course to 60 international students from around the world as they learned how to serve, lead, and become cognizant global citizens.

    Creative Writing Instructor. Taught a group of gifted students aged 12-15 (students who scored in the 95th percentile on PSATs) in a summer enrichment program.

    2004-2005


    English teacher. American Literature Teacher (English 11); British Literature Teacher (English 12); Genre Studies Teacher (English 9) for the school’s Center for Performing Arts Magnet Program

    Private Tutor

    2001-2009

     

    Tutored students in SAT Verbal, College Essays, AP Language and Composition, Critical Reading and Writing

  • Education and Certification

    "Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered,  you will never grow." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

    MAEd

    in Educational Policy and Leadership 2018

    American College of Education, U.S.A., a program aligned with Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) Standards for effective leadership designed to create culturally aware and competent administrators.

     

    Focus: maximizing school effectiveness, improving supervision, creating a school-wide vision and using data to inform decision making.

    MAEd

    in Secondary Education English 2004

    Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC, U.S.A. — Master of Education (MAEd), 2004 Specialty in Secondary English Education

     

    Recipient of full scholarship and stipend

     

    PTC

    International School Principalship Certification 2013

    Principal Training Center

     

    Relevant Courses: Leadership and Group Dynamics; Curriculum Leadership in the International School; Instructional Supervision and Evaluation: The Teaching Process; Technology Leadership.

    BA

    Bachelor of Arts in English 2003

    Pennsylvania State University Schreyer Honors College


    Recipient of Gates Millennium Scholarship and Martin Luther King Scholarship

    COETAIL

    Certification of Educational Technology and Information Literacy, May 2014

     

    Read more about COETAIL here.

    International Baccalaureate

    IB Certified in the following training:

    CAS Coordinator

    English A Literature

    English A Language and Literature

    Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

    MYP Authentic Assessments

    PYP Concept-Based Learning

    US Teaching Certification

    Common Wealth of Virginia, U.S.A.

  • Other key skills

    "To have another language is to possess a second soul." ~Charlemagne

    Languages

    Korean: Native fluency

    Mandarin: Intermediate oral fluency

    Technology

    Apple iWorks, OSX

    iOS, Android

    Google+, Google Apps

    Microsoft Office, Windows

    Rubicon Atlas

    Managebac

     

    YouTube

    Vimeo

     

    Blogging: Please see the bottom of this page, or click on the sidebar's "Blog" tab. Thank you to Sam Sherratt for his gift of BubbleCatchers and the image below as I use them to capture my ideas before they burst.

  • “A drop of ink may make a million think.” ~Lord Byron

  • Where to find me.

    "All is connected... no one thing can change by itself." ~Paul Hawken 

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    I email.

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    I tweet.