Transatlantic Educational Leadership Academy
Join the Transatlantic Educational Leadership Academy to expand your leadership knowledge through international collaboration. Participants will engage with both U.S.- and German-based instructional leaders, benefit from personalized one-on-one coaching, and gain insights from experts with over 120 years of collective experience. This comprehensive, year-long academy is designed to strengthen leadership skills and deepen understanding of educational leadership across diverse contexts in the U.S. and Germany. The experience includes intercontinental travel, school visits in Atlanta and Munich, meaningful cross-cultural exchange, and interactive in-person and virtual sessions. Register now to take part in this transformational learning experience.
Your Experience Includes:
- Membership in a supportive cohort of school leaders
- One-on-one and group coaching sessions with leadership experts
- Access to asynchronous classroom for group work, individual reflection, and resource repository
- School Visits: Direct observation of U.S. and German schools to understand leadership in context
- Virtual Sessions: Cross-national teams for problem-solving, peer coaching, and scenario role-play
- Action Projects: Implement cross-cultural leadership strategies in home schools
- Reflection Journals: Structured prompts for comparative insights between U.S. and German practices
- Peer Mentoring: Regular cross-cultural coaching partnerships
- 40 hours of Professional Development
The $1,395 USD registration fee covers:
- Round-trip transatlantic airfare from your home airport (Germany to ATL or US to MUC)
- Three (3) hotel nights during your transatlantic trip (Atlanta or Munich)
- Three (3) meals a day during each of the trips’ 2 working days (Atlanta and Munich)
- Ground transportation during each of the trips’ 2 working days (Atlanta and Munich)
Your contribution:
- Any domestic flights or transportation to reach Atlanta or Munich
- Meals and incidentals during your transatlantic travel days (to Atlanta or to Munich)
- Hotel, meals, and incidentals during domestic travel (to Atlanta or to Munich)
Schedule
4-7 October 2026 in Atlanta, GA, USA
German educational leaders will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, USA for two initial days of face-to-face learning and introductions to their US counterparts. Participants will gather for dynamic collaborative learning sessions and school visits around Atlanta. Networking and personal connections will happen over a welcome reception hosted by our sponsor The Halle Foundation, meal and travel times, and a celebratory cultural experience.
13 November 2026 - Virtual
9:00 – 11:00 Atlanta | 15:00 – 17:00 Munich
Zoom Platform
15 January 2027 - Virtual
9:00 – 11:00 Atlanta | 15:00 – 17:00 Munich
Zoom Platform
12 February 2027 - Virtual
9:00 – 11:00 Atlanta | 15:00 – 17:00 Munich
Zoom Platform
5 March 2027 - Virtual
9:00 – 11:00 Atlanta | 15:00 – 17:00 Munich
Zoom Platform
6-9 June 2027 in Munich, Germany
US educational leaders will travel to Munich, Germany for two final days of face-to-face learning and program culminating activities. Participants will once again gather for dynamic collaborative learning sessions, and school visits around Munich. Personal connections will deepen during meal and travel times, a guided cultural experience, and a closing reception and exhibition of learning.
Asynchronous Work Requirements
TELA's Leadership Experts
John Denine
Executive Director
CASIE
In his 30 years of experience in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, John served as a Diploma Programme (DP) teacher, school administrator, and District IB Coordinator in Atlanta Public Schools.
In addition to his work in education, John is a retired U.S. Navy Commander and operational planner. His diverse background brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, disciplined leadership, and organizational effectiveness to his educational leadership roles.
Jill Sims
Director of Education
CASIE
Jill focused 20 of her 30 years of educational experience leading International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes in Marietta City Schools, serving as an MYP Coordinator, PYP Principal, district IB and academic programs executive director, and member of the IB Educator Network (IBEN) serving as a school visit team member and verification/evaluation visit programme leader.
A former teacher, principal, and Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Jill brings an informed approach to instructional leadership and program development.
Dr. Ovura (Thea) Murphy
Director of Outreach
CASIE
With 30 years of experience in education and over 20 years dedicated to the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, Thea served in a wide range of roles within Atlanta Public Schools, including teacher, instructional coach, PYP Coordinator, IB school assistant principal, District IB Coordinator, and District College and Career Readiness Coordinator.
As a member of the IB Educator Network (IBEN), Thea has contributed as a visit team member and leader, evaluation leader, and workshop leader, supporting the implementation and evaluation of IB programmes.
Tim Kelley
Founder and Principal
TKonnect Coaching and Consulting
Tim Kelley served as the Director of the International School of Stuttgart, an IB Continuum school for 17 years and has been a leading educator for over 30 years. Formerly the Head of Ross School in New York, he was also the Headmaster for the Leysin American School in Switzerland beginning his career at the Noble and Greenough School (USA) as an award-winning teacher.
In addition to receiving a Klingenstein Fellowship on Educational Leadership, Tim has served as a Board Chair for the Executive Committee for the Swiss Group of International Schools, the Association of German International Schools and the Educational Collaborative for International Schools. He is currently the founder of TKonnect Coaching and Consulting working with educational leaders all over the world.
Dr. Chrissie Sorenson
Founder and Principal
TKonnect Coaching and Consulting
Funders
We are grateful to our funder, the Halle Foundation.
Travel Information
OUR ADDRESS
2635 Century Parkway NE
Suite 125
Atlanta, GA
30345
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:
Other amenities include:
- Complimentary shuttle service within 3 miles of the hotel.
- The shuttle will also pick up and drop off at the Brookhaven MARTA station (public transportation) which connects directly with the Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport on the “Gold Line” as well as many local restaurants.
- Complimentary WiFi in guestrooms.
- 24/7 access to fitness center with upgrade Peloton Bikes + Fitness on Demand
- Access to outdoor pool, cabana, & firepit
AIR TRAVEL
If you have not visited Atlanta before, our airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International, is the world’s busiest! There are multiple terminals connected by a very efficient train. The airport is very large and spread out so you must allow enough time, once you get there, to deal with your luggage, make your way through security screening, get to your terminal on the passenger train, and then still reach your gate at the terminal.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Please be aware that Atlanta is largely not a pedestrian-friendly city. Most areas of town are not easily accessible by public transportation or on foot. We strongly recommend renting a car while visiting us.
If you have a car and plan to drive to our office, there is an open parking lot with 100+ free spaces at your disposal. This lot is regularly patrolled by security.
CASIE has negotiated a discounted car rental rate with Enterprise Rent-A-Car/National Car Rental. To obtain this discount, click HERE and use group code XZ03314 when making your reservation.
Our public transportation system, MARTA, does run buses by our office campus but does not have in-town metro stops nearby.
Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are plentiful and well-priced for travel all over Metro Atlanta.
