MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2026

In this issue of K12 Digest, readers will find perspectives that examine leadership, wellbeing, innovation, and learning environments through both local and global lenses. Together, these voices reflect a shared belief that education is not a sprint toward the next reform, but a long walk that shapes lives over time.

COVER STORY

Leading with Humanity in a World of Intelligent Machines

Paul Penfold, Head of School, British Concordance International School

Paul Penfold is an educational leader and consultant. Guided by his personal mission, “Enabling young people to flourish,” his four-decade career emphasizes invisible leadership built on culture, trust, and human-centered stability.

FEATURED SCHOOL

St. Benedict School

Where Faith, Learning and Service Grow Together

Faith guides daily life at St. Benedict School in ways that feel steady and familiar. It is present in classrooms, shared prayers, and simple moments of care between students and teachers. For the school community, Catholic education is about giving children a strong grounding that will carry them through life, both academically and personally.

ADMIN PERSPCTIVE

Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators & Creators

Camille Moody McCue, PhD, Director of Innovation, The Meadows School

Camille Moody McCue, PhD, is an educator who serves as a school leader, STEM/CS teacher, and Dummies author, and is the Director of Innovation at The Meadows School in Las Vegas.

ACADEMIC VIEW

Empowering Education through Community

Pilar Moreno, Principal, Brains International School

Pilar Moreno is Principal at Brains International School Conde de Orgaz and President of ASIBI, Association of International School in Spain and Portugal. She has over 20 years of experience in education. She is a qualified English philologist and can read in several languages, as well as an expert in protocol.

ADMIN PERSPCTIVE

Building Bridges through Education and Community

Jeremy Otto, Director of Community Engagement & Advancement, Westbourne Grammar School

Jeremy Otto is a relational leader who believes community is built one meaningful moment at a time. An experienced educator and senior leader, he has held roles including Deputy Principal, Director of Teaching and Learning and international IB consultant.

ACADEMIC VIEWS

Transforming Education through Global Experiences

Jen Buchanan, Principal, THINK Global School

Passionate about student agency, wellbeing, and creative potential, Jen is committed to building positive, equitable, and engaging learning environments. With extensive experience in progressive and trailblazing schools, she brings a deep understanding of how to turn educational vision into meaningful change.

ACADEMIC VIEWS

Empowering Schools Through People-Centered Leadership

David Jenkins, Head of School, Nobel International School, Almancil

David Jenkins is an experienced international school leader with nearly 30 years in education across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Passionate about holistic education, David believes academic excellence and wellbeing go hand in hand.

ACADEMIC VIEWS

Evaluation of Teachers Must Highlight Excellence and Confront Mediocrity to Keep Student Learning the Priority

Dr. Greg Rockhold & Dr. Hans A. Andrews

Dr. Greg Rockhold is a former Superintendent and Dr. Hans Andrews is a distinguished fellow in community college leadership through Olney Central College (Illinois).