Katie Mayne: A Future-Focused Leader in International Education
With nearly two decades of experience across a variety of international settings, Katie Mayne brings a thoughtful, future-focused, and reflective approach to leadership in education. Her career is shaped by a deep commitment to lifelong learning, adaptability, and supporting others’ growth, values that continue to guide her work in dynamic, diverse international school communities.
A Foundation in Learning and Growth
Katie’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) from the University of Surrey, followed by a Graduate Training Program in Primary Education and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Northampton University. These early qualifications laid the groundwork for her interdisciplinary, creative, and student-centered approach to teaching and learning.
Over the years, Katie has continued to invest in professional learning, earning a Master of Arts in Education, the UK’s National Professional Qualification for Headship, and completing leadership courses through Harvard Business School Online. These experiences reflect her belief in continuous growth and the importance of strong foundations in educational leadership.
A Career Built on Adaptability and Collaboration
Katie began her teaching career in the UK before moving into international education. Working across various countries and educational contexts, she has developed a wide range of skills, from curriculum development to teacher coaching, while remaining adaptable and responsive to the needs of the individuals and communities. Her ability to lead with empathy and clarity, drive and purpose has supported her in leading change, building cohesive teams, and fostering positive school cultures.
Leading with a Focus on People and Practice
Katie’s leadership journey has grown alongside her classroom experience. She has held a variety of roles supporting teaching and learning, from senior leadership to class teacher of 5-16 year olds. At Nishimachi International School in Tokyo, she has contributed to whole-school strategic development in her current role as Director of Learning and Innovation. Here, she focuses on areas such as aligning pedagogy and practice, developing curriculum, leading learning and teaching, and promoting meaningful technology integration and personalized learning that keeps students at the heart of her work.
Key areas of expertise include:
- Strategic Planning: Supporting school-wide initiatives for curriculum development and innovation.
- Continuous Improvement: Aligning research and practice to drive purposeful improvement in learning and teaching.
- Team Leadership: Building strong, collaborative teams and nurturing leadership in others.
- Reflective Practice: Working with educators to support professional growth and reflective practice.
- Creativity: Encouraging innovative thinking and to design engaging, student-centered learning experiences.
Sharing Learning and Supporting Others
Katie values opportunities to connect and collaborate with fellow educators, learn from both successes and challenges, and share what she has learned. She has presented internationally at conferences and workshops on topics such as metacognition, research methodologies, and data-informed teaching. These experiences have reinforced her belief that leadership is most impactful when it empowers others and contributes to a shared culture of learning.
Grounded in Purpose
Katie’s leadership is guided by a strong focus on student agency, creativity, and future-oriented learning environments. She approaches challenges with curiosity and determination, viewing setbacks as opportunities to reflect, adapt, and grow. Central to her work is the design of learning experiences that build transferable skills and deepen conceptual understanding—preparing students to thrive in an evolving world.
Looking ahead, Katie continues to advocate for the evolution of schools to ensure that learning is meaningful, relevant, and future-ready. She believes in creating opportunities that help students think critically and creatively, act with compassion, and develop the skills needed to succeed in the workplaces of tomorrow.
Above all, Katie is committed to nurturing learning communities where both students and educators are empowered to grow, collaborate, and lead with purpose.
