ITP - 103: Journey of the Heart (featuring Tico Oms)

103
Greg: Welcome to the show. We’re on video now—YouTube and the podcast. Anyway, here we are with another episode. I am Greg the Single Guy, and of course JP Mint is right here. How are you doing, JP?
JP: Good morning from Mexico. And I have a mint shirt on for those watching the video.
Greg: My favorite color. And to tell you the truth, I don’t know where Kent is. He might be playing pickleball—or tennis—we went through a whole episode about that.
Greg: All right, so we have a wonderful guest this time. It is José Oms, but people call him Tico. Welcome to the show, Tico. How are you doing?
Tico: I’m doing great, and I’m in Miami.
Greg: Miami—nice. Say hello to Miami for all of us from ITP.
JP: Bring us in a little bit, Tico. Before we get into everything, give us the elevator version of your journey and how you fit into education.
Tico: Sure. I wasn’t always in education. I originally had an engineering degree, then got an MBA from North Carolina Chapel Hill. I worked for Dell Computers. I speak, read, and write Japanese, which I learned when I was teaching English in Japan.
Tico: I went to work with Dell Japan and became a product manager for laptops in Asia Pacific. But I always felt like an educator at heart. I knew early on that was my calling.
Tico: I thought I would switch into education later in life—maybe in my 60s. But I had a moment of reflection and asked myself why I would wait to do what I already knew I wanted to do.
Tico: So I made the switch, got a Master’s in Education, and became a teacher. I knew I wanted to go international, so I went to Berlin, then Singapore American School, International School Bangkok, and International School Basel.
Tico: I originally thought I would retire as a teacher. I love the classroom—that’s my biggest strength. But because of my business background, I was pulled into leadership roles: deputy principal and principal at both middle and high school levels.
Tico: Now I’ve shifted again into something more entrepreneurial. I’m a leadership coach, working especially with aspiring leaders. I’m also on the board of a new group focused on instructional coaching in international schools, and I support aspiring leaders of color through ALOC.
JP: So much to unpack there. Let’s go back to the beginning—you mentioned Japan and teaching English. How old were you at the time? Was that right after university?
Tico: Yes, right after university. I studied engineering because I was good at math, but I realized it wasn’t really my passion. A roommate suggested I go to Japan and teach English.
Tico: I thought I’d stay six months, maybe a year. I ended up staying five and a half years and studied Japanese intensively while I was there.
JP: Where in Japan were you?
Tico: Osaka.
Greg: That’s amazing. And Osaka has its own dialect too, right?
Tico: Yes, Osaka-ben. It’s also known for its food—takoyaki, the octopus balls.
JP: Oh yeah, those are famous.
Tico: Osaka has a unique culture—more outgoing, very food-focused. There’s even a rivalry between Osaka and Tokyo. I’m definitely on the Osaka side.
Greg: A rivalry over octopus balls?
Tico: Not just food—cities in general. But yes, the food is a big part of it.
JP: So after Japan, you went back for your MBA?
Tico: That’s right. I had a moment where I thought maybe I should “grow up.” I was 27, traveling, bartending, playing soccer, learning Japanese—it was a great life, but I questioned whether I was being irresponsible.
Tico: So I went to UNC Chapel Hill for my MBA, then got a job with Dell Japan because of my language skills and experience.
Greg: And then you went back to Asia again?
Tico: Yes, I moved to Tokyo and later to Penang, Malaysia, where Dell’s Asia Pacific headquarters were.
JP: What was Malaysia like compared to Japan?
Tico: Malaysia is fantastic—very multicultural, great food, welcoming people. Penang, where I lived, is an island and has a strong Chinese cultural influence. It’s a really unique place.
Greg: And at this point you were still in business. When did teaching come back into the picture?
Tico: There was more to that story. I did a 10-day silent meditation retreat in Thailand—no talking, no writing, no reading, no music. Just reflection.
JP: That sounds impossible.
Greg: Yeah, that would be a fail for me.
Tico: It was tough. The first few days were really hard. Around day six or seven, you start confronting things you’ve been avoiding.
Tico: That experience helped me realize I shouldn’t wait to do what I really wanted—to teach. I wasn’t motivated by money. I wanted meaningful work.
JP: So that’s when you decided to switch careers?
Tico: Exactly. I went back to the U.S., got my Master’s in Education at Harvard, and moved into teaching internationally.
Greg: And that helped open doors quickly.
Tico: Yes, along with being a math teacher, which is in demand. That combination helped me land a role in Berlin fairly quickly.
JP: And how was that transition—moving from business into teaching internationally?
Tico: It was exciting, but also humbling. You go from being experienced in one field to being a beginner again. But I knew it was the right move.
Greg: And you went straight into Berlin?
Tico: Yes. I knew I wanted to be international, so I targeted that right away. Berlin was my first stop, and it was a great place to begin.
JP: What was that experience like?
Tico: Berlin is an amazing city. I always say it’s one of the best cities in the world from mid-May to mid-October. And then winter comes.
Greg: The long, dark winter.
Tico: Exactly. But it was a fantastic experience overall. And I had some familiarity with Germany because my dad was in the U.S. Army, so I had lived in Europe as a child.
Greg: That probably made the transition easier.
Tico: Definitely. I was already comfortable with moving and adapting to new places.
JP: And from Berlin, you moved to Singapore American School?
Tico: Yes. I went to a job fair in Bangkok, and that’s where things got interesting. There were a lot of math teachers there, which was unusual.
Tico: I was a mid-career switcher, not a department head, and I had a family—so I didn’t feel like the most competitive candidate.
Tico: I did get some offers, but Singapore American School initially told me they probably wouldn’t hire me for math because they had many strong candidates.
Greg: That must have been discouraging.
Tico: A bit, but then something unexpected happened. Later that day, the principal came back and said their business teacher had just resigned and asked if I would be interested.
JP: That’s incredible timing.
Tico: It really was. And it was a tough decision because I loved teaching math, but I decided to take the opportunity.
Tico: I actually spoke with another head of school at the fair—someone who had no stake in my decision—and he helped me think through it. That conversation made a big difference.
Greg: That’s why those in-person job fairs are so valuable.
Tico: Absolutely. The connections you make there can shape your entire career.
JP: So you made the switch to business teaching in Singapore.
Tico: Yes, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. It opened up new opportunities and broadened my experience.
Greg: And you stayed in the classroom during that time?
Tico: I did. Even when I started taking on additional responsibilities, I always tried to stay connected to teaching. That’s where I feel most at home.
JP: When did leadership start to come into the picture?
Tico: Fairly early. In my second year, I became a head of department. It was a mix of subjects—business, robotics, architecture, coding—kind of an “everything else” department.
Greg: That sounds like a unique role.
Tico: It was. And then I took on responsibility for a large trips program—about 58 trips around the world.
JP: Fifty-eight?
Tico: Yes, each with about 20 students and two teachers. It was a massive logistical operation.
Greg: That’s incredible.
Tico: It was a lot of work, but also incredibly rewarding. And I still kept teaching while managing it.
JP: That’s a lot to juggle.
Tico: It was, but I enjoyed it. I like being involved in different aspects of the school.
JP: So from Singapore, where did you go next?
Tico: After Singapore, I went to International School Bangkok. That was another incredible experience—very different context, but equally rewarding.
Greg: Bangkok’s a big move from Singapore.
Tico: It is. Singapore is very structured, very efficient. Bangkok is more chaotic in a good way—more energy, more unpredictability.
JP: Organized chaos.
Tico: Exactly. And the school there is phenomenal. I continued in leadership roles and kept expanding my experience.
Greg: Were you still teaching at that point?
Tico: Yes, I always tried to maintain some level of teaching. Even as I moved into leadership, I didn’t want to lose that connection.
JP: That’s something we hear a lot—that the best leaders are the ones who stay connected to the classroom.
Tico: I completely agree. It keeps you grounded. You understand what teachers are going through because you’re still doing it.
Greg: And then Basel?
Tico: Yes, International School Basel was my next stop. That’s where I really stepped fully into leadership—deputy principal and then principal roles.
JP: That’s a big shift.
Tico: It is. The scope of responsibility changes significantly. You’re not just thinking about your classroom or department—you’re thinking about the whole school.
Greg: What was the biggest adjustment for you in that transition?
Tico: Letting go of the classroom. That was the hardest part. I loved teaching, and stepping away from that was difficult.
JP: I hear that from a lot of leaders.
Tico: Yeah, it’s a common theme. You move into leadership because you want to have a broader impact, but you miss that daily interaction with students.
Greg: So how did you manage that?
Tico: I stayed as connected as I could—visiting classrooms, talking with students, being visible. But it’s not the same as having your own class.
JP: And now you’ve transitioned again into coaching and more entrepreneurial work.
Tico: Yes. After years in leadership, I wanted to focus more on developing other leaders. That’s where I feel I can have a strong impact now.
Greg: Tell us more about that.
Tico: I work with aspiring and current leaders, helping them think through challenges, develop their leadership style, and grow in their roles.
Tico: I’m also involved with a group focused on instructional coaching in international schools, and I support leaders of color through ALOC.
JP: That’s powerful work.
Tico: It is. There’s a real need for support and mentorship in this space.
Greg: What are some of the biggest challenges you see for aspiring leaders?
Tico: One is self-doubt. A lot of people don’t think they’re ready, even when they are.
JP: Imposter syndrome.
Tico: Exactly. And another is understanding that leadership is not about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions and supporting others.
Greg: That’s a big mindset shift.
Tico: It is. And it takes time to develop.
JP: What advice would you give to someone listening who’s thinking about moving into leadership?
Tico: Start where you are. Take on small leadership roles, seek out mentors, and be intentional about your growth.
Tico: And don’t wait until you feel completely ready, because that moment may never come.
Greg: That’s good advice.
JP: Really good advice.
Greg: Let’s talk a little bit about leadership styles. Over the years, how has your approach to leadership evolved?
Tico: Early on, I thought leadership was about having the answers and being decisive all the time. Over time, I realized it’s much more about listening, asking questions, and empowering others.
JP: That’s a big shift.
Tico: It is. You move from being the person who knows to the person who creates the conditions for others to succeed.
Greg: That’s a great way to put it.
Tico: And it also means being comfortable with uncertainty. You don’t always know the answer, and that’s okay.
JP: That’s hard for a lot of people.
Tico: It is. Especially for high achievers who are used to being right.
Greg: Guilty.
JP: Same.
Tico: Another big lesson for me has been the importance of relationships. You can have all the technical skills in the world, but if you can’t build trust, it’s very hard to lead effectively.
JP: Relationships are everything in schools.
Tico: They really are. And that applies to students, teachers, parents, everyone.
Greg: How do you build that trust?
Tico: Consistency, transparency, and genuinely caring about people. It sounds simple, but it takes effort and intention.
JP: And time.
Tico: Yes, definitely time.
Greg: What about mistakes? Any big leadership mistakes that stand out?
Tico: Plenty. One that stands out is moving too quickly on a decision without bringing people along. Even if the decision is right, if people don’t feel included, it can create resistance.
JP: That’s a big one.
Tico: I learned that process matters just as much as outcome.
Greg: That’s gold.
JP: That’s a quotable right there.
Tico: Another mistake is trying to do too much yourself. As a leader, you have to learn to delegate and trust others.
Greg: That’s hard for a lot of people.
Tico: It is, but it’s essential.
JP: So true.
Greg: Let’s talk about international education more broadly. What trends are you seeing right now?
Tico: One trend is the increasing complexity of schools. There are more expectations, more accountability, more diversity in student needs.
JP: Definitely.
Tico: Another is the growing importance of well-being—both for students and staff. Schools are recognizing that this is critical.
Greg: Finally.
Tico: Yes, it’s been a long time coming.
JP: And probably accelerated by COVID.
Tico: Absolutely. COVID brought a lot of these issues to the surface.
Greg: What about the future? Where do you see international education heading?
Tico: I think we’ll continue to see growth, but also more focus on purpose—why we do what we do. Not just academics, but developing the whole child.
JP: That’s a great point.
Tico: And hopefully more equity and inclusion as well. There’s still work to be done there.
Greg: Always.
JP: Always.
Greg: Let’s bring it back to something practical for listeners. If someone is early in their international teaching career, what should they be focusing on?
Tico: Focus on being excellent in the classroom first. That’s your foundation. No matter where you want to go—leadership, coaching, anything—it starts with being a strong teacher.
JP: That’s good to hear.
Tico: Then, be curious. Get involved in things beyond your classroom. Join committees, take on small leadership roles, learn how schools operate.
Greg: So don’t just stay in your lane.
Tico: Exactly. Stretch yourself, but do it intentionally.
JP: What about networking?
Tico: It’s important, but not in a transactional way. Build genuine relationships. Connect with people because you’re interested in them, not because you want something.
Greg: That’s a good distinction.
Tico: And seek out mentors. Find people who are a few steps ahead of you and learn from them.
JP: How do you approach someone to be a mentor?
Tico: Be honest and respectful of their time. You don’t have to ask, “Will you be my mentor?” You can just start by asking for advice or a conversation.
Greg: That feels more natural.
Tico: It is. And over time, those relationships can develop into mentorships.
JP: What about people who feel stuck in their current role or school?
Tico: That’s a tough one. First, reflect on why you feel stuck. Is it the environment, the role, or something internal?
Tico: Then think about what you can control. Sometimes small changes can make a big difference.
Greg: And if not?
Tico: Then it might be time to look for a new opportunity. But make sure you’re moving toward something, not just away from something.
JP: That’s really important.
Tico: It is. Clarity of purpose makes a big difference in those decisions.
Greg: Let’s end with this—what does success look like to you now, after all these different phases of your career?
Tico: Success for me is alignment—doing work that feels meaningful, being in environments where I can grow, and having a positive impact on others.
JP: That’s a great definition.
Tico: And also balance. Making sure I’m present for my family and taking care of myself.
Greg: That’s something a lot of people struggle with.
Tico: It is. And it’s something I’m still working on.
JP: Aren’t we all.
Greg: Final thoughts for listeners?
Tico: Be intentional about your journey. Reflect regularly, seek out experiences that challenge you, and don’t be afraid to take risks.
JP: Love it.
Greg: Great way to end.
JP: Thank you so much for joining us.
Tico: Thank you. It was a pleasure.
Greg: And thank you to our listeners around the world.
JP: We’ll see you in the next episode.
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