Dr. Leigh Martin - Founder, Consultant & Coach

Dr. Martin launched Connections International with a 25 year career in international education. Leigh works closely with expat educators and families as they navigate the international context of life and work. This support extends to business leaders, employees in multinational organizations and students through presentations, consultation, coaching, workshops & courses.
Leigh’s personal and professional experiences have opened dialogue between families, schools and businesses to truly join efforts in raising resilient, confident and compassionate kids. Leigh leads with relationships and grows through conversation around the unique stories that we all carry. Her passion for teaching has led her to develop and teach undergraduate and graduate university programs and courses, lead communities of international families and educators and serve as a speaker in numerous professional conferences.
Most recently, Leigh served as the Director of Parent Engagement and Strategic Partnerships at Singapore American School (SAS). While at SAS, Leigh led professional development for aspiring teacher leaders, facilitated community sessions with the superintendent's office and worked hand in hand with the parent community. Most importantly, Leigh listens to the hearts and minds of the communities and builds greater connections between home, school and the workplace through Connections International.
Prior to living and working in Singapore, Leigh served as a professional learning consultant in Seoul, South Korea, a tenured professor for the University of Northern Iowa, and an elementary classroom teacher at international schools in Cairo, Egypt and Brasilia, Brazil. She earned a PhD in Educational Leadership, MA in International Education and a BA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
Leigh and her husband have raised two TCK daughters; one in high school in Singapore, and the other attending college in the US. Her children can attest that the advice their mother gives to others is the same as she gives at home... "I'm not telling you it will be easy, but I am telling you it will be worth it."
Leigh’s personal and professional experiences have opened dialogue between families, schools and businesses to truly join efforts in raising resilient, confident and compassionate kids. Leigh leads with relationships and grows through conversation around the unique stories that we all carry. Her passion for teaching has led her to develop and teach undergraduate and graduate university programs and courses, lead communities of international families and educators and serve as a speaker in numerous professional conferences.
Most recently, Leigh served as the Director of Parent Engagement and Strategic Partnerships at Singapore American School (SAS). While at SAS, Leigh led professional development for aspiring teacher leaders, facilitated community sessions with the superintendent's office and worked hand in hand with the parent community. Most importantly, Leigh listens to the hearts and minds of the communities and builds greater connections between home, school and the workplace through Connections International.
Prior to living and working in Singapore, Leigh served as a professional learning consultant in Seoul, South Korea, a tenured professor for the University of Northern Iowa, and an elementary classroom teacher at international schools in Cairo, Egypt and Brasilia, Brazil. She earned a PhD in Educational Leadership, MA in International Education and a BA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
Leigh and her husband have raised two TCK daughters; one in high school in Singapore, and the other attending college in the US. Her children can attest that the advice their mother gives to others is the same as she gives at home... "I'm not telling you it will be easy, but I am telling you it will be worth it."
OUR TEAM

DR. JEFF DEVENS
For the past 25 years, Dr. Devens has worked in international education as a school psychologist, counselor and classroom educator. Jeff holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology and Social Studies Education and completed his Ph.D. in School Psychology in 2006. His dissertation research focused on depression rates among international students.
Growing up on public assistance, and the only one of five children to graduate from high school, Jeff has a unique appreciation for the hurt, heartache, and angst that parents encounter raising kids. It was the power of loving adults that made all the difference during Jeff’s adolescence. Those life experiences during such a formative period shaped his future and his practice. Working alongside kids and families Jeff offers much needed humor, hope and help noting, "it's not our circumstances that determine our future, it's our choices." In his capacity as a counselor and school psychologist, Jeff has provided individual counseling to students, parents, and faculty, coordinated crisis response teams, provided parent talks on a range of mental health and parenting issues, written for school publications, as well as taught various courses. His first book, A Parent’s Guide to Raising Kids Overseas, was released in 2018 and is available on Amazon.
Jeff has presented at numerous international schools and organizations including The Anglo-American School, Moscow, United World College, Dulwich School, International Community School, Tanglin Trust, The Australian School, The U.S. Embassy, The Ministry of Education (MOE-Singapore), Expat Magazine, Google, and ABB. In addition, Jeff has written extensively on numerous topics related to parenting, transitions, international living and adjustments in various publications. Jeff’s wife, Nanette, is also an international educator (high school music). They have two children, Cylas, age 16, and Cora, age 12. During his “free” time Jeff enjoys exercise and competing in Jiu Jitsu, earning his black belt in 2018.
For the past 25 years, Dr. Devens has worked in international education as a school psychologist, counselor and classroom educator. Jeff holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology and Social Studies Education and completed his Ph.D. in School Psychology in 2006. His dissertation research focused on depression rates among international students.
Growing up on public assistance, and the only one of five children to graduate from high school, Jeff has a unique appreciation for the hurt, heartache, and angst that parents encounter raising kids. It was the power of loving adults that made all the difference during Jeff’s adolescence. Those life experiences during such a formative period shaped his future and his practice. Working alongside kids and families Jeff offers much needed humor, hope and help noting, "it's not our circumstances that determine our future, it's our choices." In his capacity as a counselor and school psychologist, Jeff has provided individual counseling to students, parents, and faculty, coordinated crisis response teams, provided parent talks on a range of mental health and parenting issues, written for school publications, as well as taught various courses. His first book, A Parent’s Guide to Raising Kids Overseas, was released in 2018 and is available on Amazon.
Jeff has presented at numerous international schools and organizations including The Anglo-American School, Moscow, United World College, Dulwich School, International Community School, Tanglin Trust, The Australian School, The U.S. Embassy, The Ministry of Education (MOE-Singapore), Expat Magazine, Google, and ABB. In addition, Jeff has written extensively on numerous topics related to parenting, transitions, international living and adjustments in various publications. Jeff’s wife, Nanette, is also an international educator (high school music). They have two children, Cylas, age 16, and Cora, age 12. During his “free” time Jeff enjoys exercise and competing in Jiu Jitsu, earning his black belt in 2018.

DR. CARRIE ELSER
Dr. Elser has spent 26 years joyfully immersed in the world of education. She has worked as an elementary teacher and middle school teacher in International Schools in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. She currently guides preservice teachers at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). Carrie earned her Master's Degree from UNI in Educational Psychology and her Ed.D in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Special Education. Carrie uses her experiences as a parent and educator to encourage trusting, supportive school/family partnerships, and advocate for inclusive spaces for all students.
Dr. Elser has spent 26 years joyfully immersed in the world of education. She has worked as an elementary teacher and middle school teacher in International Schools in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. She currently guides preservice teachers at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). Carrie earned her Master's Degree from UNI in Educational Psychology and her Ed.D in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Special Education. Carrie uses her experiences as a parent and educator to encourage trusting, supportive school/family partnerships, and advocate for inclusive spaces for all students.

DR. SHABBI LUTHRA
Dr. Shabbi Luthra is the founder and CEO of two companies - Consilience Education Foundation and Linchpin Analytics Pvt Ltd. She has worked for over three decades in various teaching and leadership roles in the field of educational technology and innovation leadership in international schools. Her expertise includes envisioning, deploying and providing guidance in the areas of technology integration programs, staff development, building technology leadership at all levels of a school, and innovation leadership and management in schools and organizations. Her work is focused on the development of stakeholder ownership, and on the creation of learning environments that support students’ acquisition of skills for their future. She has led research in laptop learning programs and started the International Research Collaborative, a consortium of international schools that research and study their laptop programs. She presents workshops and seminars at conferences around the world and provides consultative advice to schools on technology planning, technology integration, and innovation leadership. She has served as director of Research and Development at the American School of Bombay and has led educators to study, design, prototype and research new designs of schooling and sustainable innovation for relevant learning. The co-author of R&D Your School: How to Start, Grow, and Sustain Your School’s Innovation Engine, she has also led the publication of seven volumes of Future Forwards, a research publication that captures educational innovation ideas and prototypes. She is leading the use of data to inform learning in schools through the design of learning analytics and data visualizations in the Learning Analytics Collaborative. She holds a master’s degree in education and a doctorate in educational media and technology from Boston University.
Dr. Shabbi Luthra is the founder and CEO of two companies - Consilience Education Foundation and Linchpin Analytics Pvt Ltd. She has worked for over three decades in various teaching and leadership roles in the field of educational technology and innovation leadership in international schools. Her expertise includes envisioning, deploying and providing guidance in the areas of technology integration programs, staff development, building technology leadership at all levels of a school, and innovation leadership and management in schools and organizations. Her work is focused on the development of stakeholder ownership, and on the creation of learning environments that support students’ acquisition of skills for their future. She has led research in laptop learning programs and started the International Research Collaborative, a consortium of international schools that research and study their laptop programs. She presents workshops and seminars at conferences around the world and provides consultative advice to schools on technology planning, technology integration, and innovation leadership. She has served as director of Research and Development at the American School of Bombay and has led educators to study, design, prototype and research new designs of schooling and sustainable innovation for relevant learning. The co-author of R&D Your School: How to Start, Grow, and Sustain Your School’s Innovation Engine, she has also led the publication of seven volumes of Future Forwards, a research publication that captures educational innovation ideas and prototypes. She is leading the use of data to inform learning in schools through the design of learning analytics and data visualizations in the Learning Analytics Collaborative. She holds a master’s degree in education and a doctorate in educational media and technology from Boston University.

LAURENCE MYERS
Laurence Myers is originally from Athens, Greece and is proud of it! He is currently the K-12 Service Learning Coordinator at the American School of Dubai (ASD). Prior to his current position he held the position of Sustainability & Service Learning Coordinator at the International School of Kuala Lumpur. He has taught economics, history, government, social studies, health and physical education at the middle and high school levels since 1997. He also serves as a steering committee member for Compass Education, a not-for-profit organization focusing on sustainability education through systems thinking processes and tools.
Laurence holds an M.Ed. degree in Educational Administration, an M.A. in Kinesiology, and a B.A. in International Relations. More recently he earned a Sustainability Leadership certificate, a Serve & Learning Certificate in Service Learning, and a certificate in Environmental Education. Additionally, he is licensed in school administration (7-12 principal) and teaching.
His current work emphasises curriculum development and integration of the American School of Dubai's (ASD) service learning framework across all learning environments, and also includes heavy doses of collaboration and communication with administration, staff and external organisations. His work has been integral in ASD’s being granted the Zayed Sustainability Prize and the Expo 2020 Sustainability Champions Award the awarding of which supported the school’s movement toward becoming a leader in sustainability education. Previously at the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), Laurence spearheaded ISKL’s accreditation process through the Eco-Schools program and guided ISKL’s efforts leading up to the receipt of Malaysia’s very first Green Flag award.
When not working with sustainability and service learning, Laurence is seen coaching student athletes, supporting environmental initiatives, engaging in outdoor learning experiences or spending quality time with his wife and two beautiful daughters, ideally in natural settings.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurence_myers
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurence-myers-3b8b8319/
Laurence Myers is originally from Athens, Greece and is proud of it! He is currently the K-12 Service Learning Coordinator at the American School of Dubai (ASD). Prior to his current position he held the position of Sustainability & Service Learning Coordinator at the International School of Kuala Lumpur. He has taught economics, history, government, social studies, health and physical education at the middle and high school levels since 1997. He also serves as a steering committee member for Compass Education, a not-for-profit organization focusing on sustainability education through systems thinking processes and tools.
Laurence holds an M.Ed. degree in Educational Administration, an M.A. in Kinesiology, and a B.A. in International Relations. More recently he earned a Sustainability Leadership certificate, a Serve & Learning Certificate in Service Learning, and a certificate in Environmental Education. Additionally, he is licensed in school administration (7-12 principal) and teaching.
His current work emphasises curriculum development and integration of the American School of Dubai's (ASD) service learning framework across all learning environments, and also includes heavy doses of collaboration and communication with administration, staff and external organisations. His work has been integral in ASD’s being granted the Zayed Sustainability Prize and the Expo 2020 Sustainability Champions Award the awarding of which supported the school’s movement toward becoming a leader in sustainability education. Previously at the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), Laurence spearheaded ISKL’s accreditation process through the Eco-Schools program and guided ISKL’s efforts leading up to the receipt of Malaysia’s very first Green Flag award.
When not working with sustainability and service learning, Laurence is seen coaching student athletes, supporting environmental initiatives, engaging in outdoor learning experiences or spending quality time with his wife and two beautiful daughters, ideally in natural settings.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurence_myers
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurence-myers-3b8b8319/

DR. JOSH SYMES
Dr. Symes has worked in education for the past 22 years in various teaching roles, as a school leader, educational, leadership and wellbeing consultant in successfully building strengths-based communities of wellbeing. Most recently, Josh worked closely with a sector of the tech industry in creating ways to meet the mental health and wellbeing needs of people through digital platforms.
Josh has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education, and Educational Leadership, and completed his Doctoral Degree in Educational and Organizational Leadership. His dissertation and ongoing research has focused on strengths-based approaches to creating positive mental health, wellbeing, resilience, and holistic wellness outcomes for people of all ages. He has great passion for this work particularly because there is such a need for it in today’s world.
Having accumulated 18 years of international experience in Australia, Europe and Asia, Josh truly understands what drives strong leadership, and outstanding wellbeing practices and approaches across a range of diverse settings. Josh finds a great sense of reward from working with schools, businesses, and families to provide the best support for fostering a greater sense of community wellbeing. This is successfully achieved though a collaborative, relational and caring approach to developing cultures, frameworks, approaches, and capacity that allow organisations to thrive holistically, and to grow together as a well-community.
Josh has recently returned to live in Australia with his wife Kristin, who is a distinguished opera singer and choir teacher, and his two beautiful children, Lucy and Ollie.
Dr. Symes has worked in education for the past 22 years in various teaching roles, as a school leader, educational, leadership and wellbeing consultant in successfully building strengths-based communities of wellbeing. Most recently, Josh worked closely with a sector of the tech industry in creating ways to meet the mental health and wellbeing needs of people through digital platforms.
Josh has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education, and Educational Leadership, and completed his Doctoral Degree in Educational and Organizational Leadership. His dissertation and ongoing research has focused on strengths-based approaches to creating positive mental health, wellbeing, resilience, and holistic wellness outcomes for people of all ages. He has great passion for this work particularly because there is such a need for it in today’s world.
Having accumulated 18 years of international experience in Australia, Europe and Asia, Josh truly understands what drives strong leadership, and outstanding wellbeing practices and approaches across a range of diverse settings. Josh finds a great sense of reward from working with schools, businesses, and families to provide the best support for fostering a greater sense of community wellbeing. This is successfully achieved though a collaborative, relational and caring approach to developing cultures, frameworks, approaches, and capacity that allow organisations to thrive holistically, and to grow together as a well-community.
Josh has recently returned to live in Australia with his wife Kristin, who is a distinguished opera singer and choir teacher, and his two beautiful children, Lucy and Ollie.

DR. WYATT WILCOX
Dr. Wilcox may be the quintessential Third Culture Adult. Though he was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, he has spent nearly all of his adult years living and working outside of the United States. His twenty-year career in international education has spanned five schools and four countries in Southeast Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East. A passion for pursuing knowledge, broad perspective, and a willingness to engage new challenges is reflected in Dr. Wilcox’s diverse educational pursuits. He holds a doctorate degree in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University, as well as degrees in physical sciences from Washington State University and public administration from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.
Currently, Dr. Wilcox resides in South Korea with his wife and two children where he serves as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Yongsan International School of Seoul.
Dr. Wilcox may be the quintessential Third Culture Adult. Though he was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, he has spent nearly all of his adult years living and working outside of the United States. His twenty-year career in international education has spanned five schools and four countries in Southeast Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East. A passion for pursuing knowledge, broad perspective, and a willingness to engage new challenges is reflected in Dr. Wilcox’s diverse educational pursuits. He holds a doctorate degree in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University, as well as degrees in physical sciences from Washington State University and public administration from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.
Currently, Dr. Wilcox resides in South Korea with his wife and two children where he serves as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Yongsan International School of Seoul.
What do people say about our work?
My gratitude towards the time and energy Leigh put in to help me advance my career in ways I never thought possible is overflowing. She listened, she delivered, and when it all finally came together, she helped me celebrate Leigh guided me in setting goals that facilitated my growth and celebrated successes with me along the way. - Lauren Josh [Symes] is an engaging presenter and workshop leader. He had a great way of taking the research and theory related to mental health and wellbeing, and helped us to apply it to the broader community. Jeff managed to hold my attention for 3 hours! |
Dr. Martin possesses a knack for connecting to people. Dr. Martin is exquisitely professional while mutually human; her unique combination of character is one found only too far-and-few in between. Leigh helped me to realize my fullest potential, and encouraged me to stretch the self-imposed limits of my own prospect. - Garrett Jeff's humor is spot on - and knowledge and experience demonstrate tremendous competence. Dr. Symes brings great passion to the work that he does in the critical area of mental health and wellbeing. His knowledge, understanding and delivery inspired our school community to put community wellbeing at the centre of all that we do. |
I just love how Jeff kept connecting scientific theory with the application to everyday experiences. Brilliant. Dr. Symes provided some really effective practices and approaches that have been very successful! Jeff, you have a great engaging style. The videos and slides, as well as your deep knowledge of the topics, make the information very easy to follow and understand.You are also a great storyteller, which helps connect everything. Leigh has an ability to calm nerves by addressing a situation with logic and finesse. - Rachelle |