Episode 97: Interview with Lee Hole

Welcome to the Counter Narrative Podcast, a show designed to change the way we talk, and think, about education. By sharing stories of successes and triumphs, we aim to challenge the dominant narrative that often negatively portrays our disenfranchised populations.

I’m your host, Charles Williams. An urban educator for more than 15 years, a current school principal in Chicago, an educational consultant, an equity advocate, and the co-host of Inside The Principal’s Office.

--

In this episode, I chat with Lee Hole, a secondary school leader for the international school of Phnom Penh in Cambodia. After starting his career as a PE educator in his previous high school and serving in various roles for nearly a decade, he and his wife moved from the UK and entered the world of International Education by serving as the head of a school in Dubai. Lee has had the honor of leading professional development projects with the British Council in Bahrain and in the US, serving as school reviewer for evaluations,  and mentoring new leaders as they enter new roles.

During our conversation, we talked about the benefits of working in diverse settings and experiencing various cultures that may be drastically different from your own. Lee also pointed out his experiences with stereotypes and prejudices though these were not necessarily prevalent in his own homogenous town as he was growing up. We connected this with the concept of color blindness as a “justifiable” approach to interacting with others. Lee suggests that instead of sitting within our comfort zone that we take the time to ask questions and truly listen so that we get to know those around us.

--

I want to thank you for listening to The Counter Narrative Podcast. If you like what you are hearing, please be sure to like, subscribe, and of course share it with friends and family. I’d also love to hear your thoughts about the show so please leave a comment or two as well.

I’m not sure what platform you’re using but the show can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and plenty of other platforms. If the show isn’t on your preferred site, let me know and I’ll be sure to get it up and running.

This podcast is also featured on SchoolRubric.com, where you can find educational articles, videos, and interviews with educators from around the globe.

Be sure to connect with me and other listeners by following the show on Twitter at @theCNpodcast and joining the show’s Facebook Group.