The Courage to Teach Across Borders explores what it really takes to grow as an educator in international schools. In this episode, Aaron Beighle talks with Leticia Cariño and Wyatt Franz about how teaching across cultures reshapes not only how we teach but also how we think about students, community, and meaningful physical education.

• Practical reflections on embracing change, uncertainty, and adventure in education
• How international teaching builds resilience, flexibility, and perspective
• Ways PE can create belonging across languages, cultures, and backgrounds
• How both guests shifted toward more meaningful, student-centered teaching
• Why community, wellness, and connection matter when living and teaching abroad

Episode Highlights

1. Global PE builds perspective: International teaching exposes educators to diverse cultures, making them more adaptable, empathetic, and open-minded in their practice.
2. “Kids are kids” everywhere: Despite cultural differences, students globally share similar interests, behaviors, and motivations. Connection is universal.
3. Diversity is a strength, not a barrier: International schools thrive on cultural diversity among students, teachers, and staff, creating richer learning environments.
4. Start with connection through movement: Cooperative and problem-solving activities (like “Adventure Challenge” units) help build relationships quickly—even across language barriers.
5. Adaptability is a core teaching skill: Success in international PE requires letting go of “how things were done before” and embracing new contexts and approaches.
6. Cultural immersion improves teaching: Learning local customs, languages, and traditions strengthens relationships and makes teaching more relevant and respectful.
7. Courage drives growth: Stepping into unfamiliar environments (new countries, languages, systems) builds confidence, resilience, and professional growth.
8. Leadership is collaborative: Effective leadership (like running a wellness committee) is about building teams, sharing responsibility, and including diverse voices.
9. Resilience is essential in education: Teaching, especially internationally, is unpredictable and messy. Growth comes from navigating challenges, not avoiding them.
10. Curriculum should reflect global perspectives: Incorporating international and culturally relevant games (e.g., cricket, chinlone, takraw) broadens student experiences while still meeting learning goals.