CEO of AISH

Jeff serves as the CEO of AISH, bringing over 30 years of experience in international education to his role. He has held teaching, counseling, and leadership positions in six different international settings, including the United States, England, Malaysia, Peru, Venezuela, and Switzerland. With 15 years of experience as a Head of School in Venezuela, Switzerland, and the USA, Jeff has demonstrated a strong commitment to educational leadership.
Jeff holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Policy and Administration (Ed.D.) from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology (Ed.M.) from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics (B.A.) from Augustana College. He has also completed the Klingenstein Head of School Program at Columbia University and is recognised as an Executive Scholar with the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Jeff's dedication to international education has been recognized by the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE), reflecting his lifelong commitment to the field.
Board, Head of School, and Senior Leadership Team: an example of working effectively together
The relationship between the Board, particularly the Board Chair, and the Head of School is crucial for the short- and long-term success of any school, and consequently for the students and their families. The Head of School can often find themselves navigating between the demands of the Board and the needs and insights of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), which at times can be in conflict. However, when the Board, Head of School, and SLT work together effectively, the school operates smoothly in the short term and is well-positioned to develop and implement long-term strategies, all in the best interest of the students and their families.
This session will explore how the Board, Head of School, and SLT can collaborate most effectively, using the LAS Leadership Framework as an example. We will address key questions such as: Who is responsible for which areas? How do these entities interact with one another? The framework provides the "guardrails" for each role, helping the school function efficiently day-to-day while also guiding it towards a strategic future.
The session will present perspectives from both the Board (Jeff Paulson) and the Head of School (Marc Ott).