Expert Talks

Teaching Without Losing Yourself: Protecting Your Energy and Wellbeing as an Educator Teaching, training, and coaching demand constant emotional energy, adaptability, and care for others, often at the expense of your own wellbeing. This session explores the hidden pressures educators carry and offers practical, sustainable strategies to protect your energy, set healthier boundaries, and support your wellbeing without losing yourself in the work. Participants will walk away with:  greater awareness of what is contributing to their exhaustion  practical strategies to protect their energy and time  tools for setting healthier professional boundaries  small, realistic shifts that support long-term wellbeing  a more sustainable approach to teaching, training, and coaching

Dr. Desiree Brown-Quilty is an international educator, wellbeing consultant, and coach who has spent over two decades teaching and leading in international schools across seven countries, including the UK, Japan, South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, China, and Angola. Her career has taken her into diverse school systems and cultures, where she has seen firsthand the hidden pressures international teachers navigate—workload creep, shifting leadership expectations, and the quiet toll of constantly adapting to new environments. Along the way, she developed a deep understanding of how school systems, not just individuals, shape teacher wellbeing. Now, Dr. Brown-Quilty works with international schools and educators to redesign the day-to-day experience of teaching so it is sustainable, focused, and human. Drawing on research such as the Job Demands–Resources model and her own leadership experience, she helps schools strengthen wellbeing through practical changes in workload, communication, and leadership practices rather than adding more initiatives. Known for her grounded, honest approach and deep understanding of international school contexts, she supports teachers and leaders to navigate complexity without burning out—creating environments where educators can think clearly, work sustainably, and stay in the profession they care about.