In Episode 4 of The Bear Cave, host Myles Finn sits down with Doreen Garrigan, AISZ Lower School Principal. Doreen shares her 36-year journey in education, from classroom teaching and gifted education to school leadership in Romania, China, Brazil, and now Croatia.

Myles and Doreen talk about building school culture, supporting teachers, staying connected to students, learning from feedback, and what makes the AISZ Lower School community so special. They also chat about Zagreb, dogs, Battle of the Books, Friday community dances, historical fiction, and the joy of being around children.

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In Episode 3 of The Bear Cave, host Myles Finn sits down with Dr. Katherine McMullen, AISZ Assistant Principal and incoming Principal. Katherine shares her journey from archaeology to education, with stops in Washington, Singapore, Beirut, and now Zagreb.

Myles and Katherine talk about international teaching, school leadership, social-emotional learning, restorative practices, building relationships with students, and why feeling seen matters so much. They also chat about life in Zagreb, tea, puppies, Law & Order: SVU, and the everyday joy of being around students.

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In Episode 2 of The Bear Cave, host Myles Finn sits down with Stefanie Donnelly, AISZ’s Bridges Program teacher and inclusion advocate. Stefanie shares her journey from Seattle to international schools in the Netherlands, Japan, and Croatia, and talks about building inclusive learning structures for students with intellectual disabilities.

Together, Myles and Stefanie discuss neurodiversity, advocacy, the importance of student-centered decision-making, and how AISZ is helping shape a more inclusive school culture. They also dive into the Roar & Store, Best Buddies, teacher friendships, spontaneous creativity, and Stefanie’s upcoming middle-grade travel fiction book.

It’s a warm, funny, and thoughtful conversation about inclusion, community, and the people who make AISZ special.

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The Bear Cave kicks off with its very first episode, featuring Oliver Mando and host Miles Finn.

In this opening conversation, Oliver shares his journey from growing up in Zagreb to studying in Shanghai and Singapore, building a music studio in a bomb shelter, working in music and events, and eventually finding his way back home and starting his new role at AISZ.

Oliver and Miles explore international school life, following your passions, the value of authentic learning, and how schools can create real opportunities for students to discover who they are. They also dive into AISZ’s 60th anniversary, the school’s refreshed brand identity, upcoming community projects, spirit wear, the gala, and the bigger vision behind building a culture at AISZ.

A conversation about creativity, community, change, and what it means to help students find their place in the world.

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