AN MSA PODCAST
SEASON II IS HERE!
NEW EPISODE 05:
From Fashion to School Leadership, Catarina’s Third Culture Journey
“I realized fast that nothing magical happens just because you put two great teachers in a classroom. Real change needs structure, planning, and humility.” – Catarina Chen
In this episode of Evolution Stories, Christian Talbot sits down with Catarina Song Chen, a true third culture kid whose leadership journey spans South Korea, Paraguay, the United States, and Brazil. Catarina shares how she stumbled into teaching after a career in fashion and ultimately became head of an international school facing severe challenges, including losing accreditation, unstable leadership, low enrollment, and community mistrust.
She discusses what it took to rebuild the school from the ground up. From discovering the school lacked essential licenses to repairing culture, designing new learning models, and engaging parents through intentional listening tours, Catarina details both her failures and breakthroughs. She reflects on missteps like implementing co-teaching too quickly and the humility required to listen, course correct, and rebuild trust.
Now serving the U.S. Department of State as a Regional Education Officer and inaugural leader of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Catarina offers clear, hard-earned lessons on leading wise and sustainable change.
NEW EPISODE 04:
From Brooklyn to Brazil: Building Strategic Change in Schools
“I didn’t choose education in a single moment—it chose me through curiosity, mentors, and unexpected opportunities.” – Liz Perry
In this episode of Evolution Stories, host Christian Talbot speaks with Liz Perry, Assistant Head of School for Academics at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, Connecticut. Perry brings a remarkable breadth of experience, having taught and led in schools from Brooklyn to Brazil to Pine Ridge, South Dakota. She reflects on how her diverse teaching and leadership roles—including at Berkeley Carroll, the American School of São Paulo, Brimmer and May, and Red Cloud Indian School—have shaped her understanding of student learning and academic leadership. Liz and Christian revisit their collaboration during St. Luke’s strategic planning process, exploring how strategy and vision inform meaningful school change. Through her story, Perry underscores the value of global perspective, intentional leadership, and inclusive planning in helping schools thrive academically while preparing students for an interconnected world.
EPISODE 03:
Microschools on the Rise: Don Soifer’s Vision for Education
“Microschools are giving families agency, educators freedom, and students a chance to thrive outside of one-size-fits-all systems.” – Don Soifer
In this episode of Evolution Stories, Christian Talbot sits down with Don Soifer, CEO of the National Microschooling Center. A national leader in the microschooling movement, Soifer has played a key role in transforming education through innovation and policy. He co-created the first public-private partnership microschool in Las Vegas and served three unprecedented terms on the DC Public Charter School Board, where he helped authorize over 120 schools. As the founder of Nevada Action for School Options and co-founder of the Lexington Institute, Soifer has long been at the forefront of education reform. In this conversation, he shares insights into why microschools are gaining traction, how they give families more agency, and what it takes to create sustainable, student-centered alternatives to traditional schooling. Soifer’s story highlights the promise of microschools as a powerful model for the future of education.
NEW EPISODE 02:
From Germany to DC: Suzanna Jemsby on Leading with Empathy and Vision
“Sometimes leadership means walking door-to-door, listening first, and rebuilding trust one neighbor at a time.” – Suzanna Jemsby
In this episode of Evolution Stories, host Christian Talbot sits down with Suzanna Jemsby, Head of School at Washington International School and a Commissioner with the Middle States Association. A lifelong educator fluent in four languages, Suzanna’s global journey has taken her from classrooms in England and Syria to leadership roles in Atlanta and Washington, DC. She candidly reflects on early career decisions, lessons from a failed campus expansion project, and how that experience shaped her approach to community engagement and leadership. Suzanna shares how she rebuilt trust with neighbors, successfully led a major construction initiative, and developed a collaborative school culture that empowers both faculty and students. Through her story, she reminds us that meaningful change in education begins with listening, relationships, and a steadfast belief that students must always remain at the center of every decision.
NEW EPISODE 01:
From Reopen to Reinvent: Michael Horn’s Vision for Schools
“Disruption in education doesn’t mean chaos. It means creating better systems that actually serve students.” – Michael Horn
In this episode of Evolution Stories, host Christian Talbot welcomes back Michael Horn, renowned author, speaker, and leading thinker in education innovation. Horn was the very first guest in Middle States’ live conversations nearly three years ago, and he returns to discuss his influential work on school reinvention and systemic change. He shares insights from his book From Reopen to Reinvent and beyond, highlighting why schools often get stuck in outdated practices and how leaders can design better systems for students. Drawing on years of research and collaboration, Horn emphasizes the need for schools to embrace disruption, adopt flexible models, and put students at the center of learning. The conversation underscores his belief that innovation is not optional—it’s essential for the future of education.