Episode Ten | Teacher Recruitment During Times of Uncertainty

On this episode of BSME Talks, Nalini Cook, COO of BSME, is joined by Lisa Passante, Principal at Star International School, Al Twar, and Ryan Jones, Co-Founder of Teacher Recruit, to explore the current state of recruitment across the Middle East education landscape.

With schools across the region continuing to recruit well into Term 3, ongoing regional tensions have created a recruitment cycle unlike anything many leaders have experienced before. As Lisa explains, one of the biggest challenges schools now face is rebuilding candidate confidence and reassuring teachers that the region remains a safe and rewarding place to live and work.

The conversation highlights the importance of honesty, reassurance, and strong leadership throughout the recruitment process. Teachers aren’t panicking, they’re doing their due diligence. Increasingly, candidates are looking beyond salary packages alone and placing greater value on transparency, culture, and leadership when deciding between schools.

Lisa and Ryan also challenge common misconceptions about the region, discuss why recruitment should feel like a two-way conversation rather than a sales pitch, and reflect on the risks of relying too heavily on one recruitment strategy.

Their advice? Don’t let assumptions make decisions for you. Stay curious, not cautious.

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