Baby Steps to International School Leadership - Featuring Ken Bence

ITP - 140 A Liverpool-born educator who once resisted teaching ends up saying yes to South Korea—and never looks back. Ken Bence traces an 18+ year arc from public-school TEFL to PGCE, then into a fast-growing bilingual school in Shanghai where rapid expansion pulled him into hiring, standards alignment, and early leadership. Seeking the IB bridge, he lands in Kuwait and grows into K–12 instructional coaching with the help of strong mentors, then tackles leadership fairs, multiple offers, and a vice head role that drops him back into China just as COVID reshapes borders and daily life. The journey continues through Shenzhen and Chengdu, a doctorate alongside principal work, and a brief interim senior leadership post in Budapest—plus practical rituals that make each new country feel like home: spices, quality bedding, and a folder of notes that keeps the purpose front and center.

(00:00) Introduction to Ken Bence and His Journey

(02:35) Cultural Shock and First Impressions in South Korea

(06:53) Transitioning to Leadership Roles in Education

(12:40) Exploring New Opportunities in Kuwait

(17:37) Navigating Job Fairs and Networking in International Teaching

(22:48) Navigating Career Pathways in Education

(24:31) Midway-Contact Break

(27:06) Cultural Shifts: Returning to China During COVID

(29:59) Transitioning to Chengdu: New Challenges and Opportunities

(32:55) Career Baby Steps: Progressing Through Education Roles

(34:19) New Beginnings: Moving to Budapest

(36:20) Preparing for Change: Leaving Budapest

(40:29) The Emotional Journey of Teaching Abroad

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