Curriculum vitae

Jen Buchanan

Educational leader, researcher and coach — connecting research, teacher practice and professional growth to create richer learning experiences.

Portrait of Jen Buchanan

Current role

Principal, THINK Global School

April 2025–present · New York, USA / international locations

Principal of the world’s only travelling high school, where students live and learn across four countries each year. Lead strategy, teaching and learning, staff development and wellbeing within an international, place-based learning model.

  • Co-developed and implemented a whole-school strategic plan to guide the school’s next phase.
  • Designed and implemented a new staffing structure aligned with school priorities.
  • Led a data-informed review of the academic program, strengthening alignment between learning targets, assessment, rubrics and reporting.
  • Worked with the academic team to improve how student progress is communicated, including revised reports and parent access to HeadRush.
  • Supported educator development through coaching, professional growth conversations and collaborative curriculum planning.
  • Led learning, operations and wellbeing across four international locations each year.

Education

Master of Educational Leadership (PhD pathway), Deakin University

2023–2024

Research on graduate teachers on fixed-term contracts and their retention in the profession.

Master of Education, University of Melbourne

2003–2004

Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Curtin University

1996–1999

Additional Information

Qualified GROWTH Coach

Growth Coaching International, completed 2022. Qualified coach with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).

Certificate IV Business

2018–2019

Certificate IV Assessment and Training

2016–2018

Career history

Head of Tay Creggan, Strathcona Girls Grammar

December 2023–April 2025 · Melbourne, Australia

Director of Engagement, Future Anything

January 2023–December 2023 · Melbourne, Australia

Convenor, Future Schools

January 2020–January 2023 · Melbourne, Australia

Head of Senior School & IB Visual Arts Teacher, Preshil

July 2018–January 2020 · Melbourne, Australia

Media Specialist & Head of Student Advisory, THINK Global School

July 2016–July 2018 · New York, USA

Head of Creative Arts, Green School Bali

July 2013–July 2016 · Bali, Indonesia

Assistant Head of Senior School & Visual Arts Teacher, British International School Riyadh

July 2010–July 2013 · Saudi Arabia

Senior school leadership and visual arts teaching.

Speaking, publications & media

The Human Hum · TEDx Burleigh Heads

Watch the talk

What if learning begins with who students are becoming, not what they know?

The Art of Teaching Podcast · THINK Global School

Listen on Apple Podcasts

9 October 2025 · 44 minutes

Jen Buchanan: THINK Global School – The World’s First Travelling High School.

References

Available on request

References are available from colleagues who have been my line managers and colleagues whom I have line-managed.