If you’ve worked in international schools for any length of time, you’ve likely heard acronyms like CIS, EARCOS, or NESA mentioned in passing.
For many educators, especially those newer to international education, it can be difficult to understand which organization does what. You know they exist and may have heard about their conferences or workshops, but it’s not always clear how they differ or how to get involved.
At the same time, these networks play an important role in shaping professional learning, hiring, and the broader international school community.
Understanding what’s available, and how each organization functions, can help you make more intentional choices about your professional development and the connections you build over time.
Regional International School Organizations
Most international educators first engage with professional networks through regional organizations. These groups support schools within a geographic area and offer conferences, workshops, and ongoing collaboration.
Council of International Schools (CIS)
CIS is one of the most widely recognized global organizations in international education.
It focuses on:
- school accreditation
- professional development
- university guidance and student pathways
CIS conferences often bring together educators, counselors, and leaders from around the world, making it one of the more globally connected networks.
Who it’s for: Teachers, counselors, administrators, and school leaders across all regions.
Worldwide
COBIS (Council of British International Schools)
COBIS focuses on supporting British international schools globally.
It offers:
- Accreditation and school standards support
- Professional development for teachers and leaders
- Guidance on compliance and governance
COBIS is widely recognized for promoting high-quality British international education worldwide.
Who it’s for: Schools following the British curriculum, and educators or leaders working within or considering UK-based international schools.
ECIS (Educational Collaborative for International Schools)
ECIS is a European-based organization with a global reach.
It offers:
- leadership programs
- governance training
- conferences and workshops
ECIS often leans into strategic and leadership-focused development.
Who it’s for: Educators and school leaders, particularly those connected to Europe.
Africa
AISA (Association of International Schools in Africa)
AISA connects international schools across the African continent.
It focuses on:
- leadership development
- teacher collaboration
- regional conferences and institutes
Who it’s for: Educators working in or connected to schools across Africa.
Americas
AMISA (Association of American International Schools in the Americas)
AMISA supports American international schools across Central and South America.
It provides:
- regional conferences
- leadership collaboration
- professional learning opportunities
Who it’s for: Educators working in the Americas region.
Asia/Middle East
BSME (British Schools in the Middle East)
BSME focuses on supporting British international schools across the Middle East region.
It offers:
- Regional professional development workshops and events
- Annual conference tailored to British education in the Middle East
- Networking opportunities for teachers, leaders, and support staff
BSME provides a strong regional community that reflects both British curriculum standards and the unique context of schools in the Middle East.
Who it’s for: Educators, administrators, and leaders working in British international schools throughout the Middle East.
EARCOS (East Asia Regional Council of Schools)
EARCOS serves international schools across East and Southeast Asia.
It is known for:
- its annual leadership and teachers’ conferences
- strong regional networking
- high-quality workshops across disciplines
Who it’s for: Educators working in or connected to schools in East and Southeast Asia.
aspiring school leaders. Who it’s for: Principals, aspiring leaders, and senior administrators.
FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia)
FOBISIA focuses on connecting British international schools across Asia.
It offers:
- Regional student events and competitions
- Professional development for teachers and leaders
- Leadership collaboration and networking opportunities
FOBISIA is well known for fostering strong regional communities and supporting both student and staff growth.
Who it’s for: Educators and leaders at British international schools in Asia.
NESA (Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools)
NESA supports schools across the Middle East, South Asia, and surrounding regions.
It offers:
- educator and leadership conferences
- job-alike workshops
- subject-specific professional development
For many educators in the Middle East, NESA is one of the most accessible and relevant PD networks.
Who it’s for: Teachers, counselors, and leaders in the Middle East and South Asia.
Specialized Professional Networks
Beyond the larger regional organizations, there are also specialized networks that focus on collaboration, innovation, or specific roles within schools.
IB (International Baccalaureate) and AP (Advanced Placement) Training
For schools offering IB or AP programs, official training workshops are often a key part of professional development. Check the schedule regularly as trainings are offered at a number of overseas locations.
These focus on:
- curriculum implementation
- assessment practices
- program-specific expectations
ISCA (International School Counselor Association)
ISCA is a key network specifically for international school counselors.
It offers:
- an annual conference
- counseling-specific PD
- a strong global network for sharing resources and practices
Who it’s for: School counselors working in international contexts.
ISLES Collaborative
ISLES focuses on international student support leadership and educator collaboration.
It is known for:
- smaller, more personalized professional learning experiences
- leadership-focused conversations
- innovative approaches to student support
Principals’ Training Center (PTC)
PTC focuses specifically on leadership development.
It offers:
- intensive training institutes
- leadership cohorts
- practical, scenario-based learning
PTC is widely respected for preparing current and aspiring school leaders.
Who it’s for: Principals, aspiring leaders, and senior administrators.
WIDA (Multilingual Learners)
WIDA focuses on supporting multilingual learners and English language development.
It provides:
- frameworks for language development
- assessment tools
- professional training for educators working with multilingual students
Getting Involved and Why It Matters
For many international educators, access to professional networks starts through your school. To get started:
- Ask which memberships your school already holds
- Explore conferences that are regionally accessible
- Apply for professional development funding
- Join online workshops or webinars
- Connect with colleagues who have attended and learn from their experience
Even if travel isn’t possible, many organizations now offer virtual options, making it easier to engage from anywhere.
These networks matter because the international school community is smaller than it seems. Connections you make through conferences, workshops, or training often reappear throughout your career. More importantly, these organizations create space for educators to:
- Share ideas
- Learn from different contexts
- Reflect on their practice
- Grow in ways that directly impact student learning
Engaging with these networks isn’t just about attending events—it’s about intentionally building your professional growth and strengthening the broader international school community.
Final Thoughts
Professional development in international education is more than attending workshops or conferences. It’s part of a larger ecosystems of organizations, networks, and communities that connect educators across countries and contexts.
Knowing what’s available lets you investigate and choose opportunities that align with your goals, support your students, and match your stage in your career.
International educators: Which professional organizations or networks have shaped your work in international schools? Are there others you’d recommend? Share your experiences and help strengthen our global educator community.
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