At Kristin School, Executive Principal Kim Green leads with heart and purpose.
She believes every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and inspired to reach their potential.
Through empathy, innovation, and a deep love for learning, Kim is shaping a community where education empowers, and every learner truly matters.
Her approach centers on nurturing caring, capable global citizens while fostering innovation, collaboration, and professional growth among educators.
With a distinguished career spanning New Zealand, Laos, Bangladesh, Qatar, and Vietnam, Kim has redefined learning through inquiry-based education, inclusive leadership, and transformative service models like “servipreneurship.” From expanding schools and designing world-class campuses to earning awards for excellence and sustainability, her leadership has consistently built cultures of belonging, integrity, and lifelong learning where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to make a difference.
A Born Educator
Kim’s passion for education began at a young age. When she was just seven, she loved pretending to be a teacher, using a small blackboard to teach her toys and her younger brother. Growing up across New Zealand’s national parks, where her father worked, she attended seven different schools.
After earning degrees in Education and Social Science, Kim Green joined a teaching exchange program in the United States, which strengthened her belief in inquiry-based learning. She began her career teaching social studies and geography at Rosehill College in Auckland before taking on leadership roles at St. John’s College in Hamilton. There, she played a key role in developing New Zealand’s national social studies curriculum and qualification standards.
Her international career began in Laos at Vientiane International School, where she helped implement the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and co-founded Youth Educating Youth. In Bangladesh, as Head of Secondary at the International School of Dhaka, she introduced the concept of “servipreneurship,” encouraging students to create and lead NGOs through service-learning projects. Later, as Director of Qatar Academy Sidra, she oversaw the design of a modern, purpose-built campus for 1,800 students. At the International School of Ho Chi Minh City, she successfully led the school community through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2025, Kim returned to New Zealand to lead Kristin School, continuing her commitment to inspiring learning, fostering a sense of belonging, and ensuring that every student thrives and reaches their full potential.
Foundational Passion and Educational Drive
Kim’s leadership journey began with a deep passion for education and a drive to create meaningful impact within school communities. At St. John’s College, she took on several leadership roles as an ICT mentor, Assistant Head of Department, and Board of Trustees member, where she played a key part in shaping New Zealand’s National Social Studies Curriculum and assessment standards. Her early work also included implementing Year 11–13 social studies and introducing the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP) at Vientiane International School, laying the foundation for her global influence in education.
Through her involvement with the International Baccalaureate Educator Network and progression into principalship, Kim has continued to champion innovation and collaboration in learning. She believes every moment in a student’s journey holds the power to shape their future. Her leadership is rooted in empowering teachers, fostering teamwork, and creating environments where curiosity and excellence thrive. Guided by empathy, inclusivity, and a clear sense of purpose, Kim continues to inspire educators and students to reach their fullest potential.
Non-Linear Path Shaped By Experiences and Challenges
Kim Green’s career has followed a non-linear path, shaped by diverse experiences and complex global challenges.
Throughout Kim’s journey, she has gained valuable insights and strengthened her leadership through the following:
- Combating Ageism: Overcoming biases and advocating for equitable opportunities across generations.
- Honoring Languages: Promoting respect for linguistic diversity and cultural identity.
- Combating Racism, Prejudice, Polarization, and Colonialism: Addressing systemic barriers and fostering intercultural understanding within school communities.
- Intercultural Understanding: Building inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and connection.
- DISC Profiles and EQ Training: Enhancing self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication in leadership.
- Navigating Terrorism (Dhaka Terror Attack): Leading with resilience and compassion through crises.
- COVID-19: Navigating education across two different contexts while maintaining relationships and community trust, even from behind a mask.
She believes that trust is built through transparency and ethical practices. For her, leading with integrity means being open, advocating for students, parents, staff, and the wider community, and ensuring every action is guided by strong ethical principles.
Creating Communities Where Everyone Feels Valued and Supported
Kim’s leadership is grounded in the belief that true progress begins with empowering people. Guided by empathy, integrity, and humility, she champions people and culture through her core values of love, guardianship, belonging, dignity, and authenticity. Her approach centers on building inclusive communities where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to grow. A trusted mentor and communicator, Kim Green combines strategic insight with educational expertise to create lasting impact. With an entrepreneurial mindset and strong emotional intelligence, she aligns teams and resources toward shared goals while nurturing a culture of openness, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Her leadership philosophy comes to life through a set of defining qualities that reflect her commitment to excellence, collaboration, and human connection.
The following table highlights the key elements that define Kim Green’s leadership and the impact they create within her school communities:
| Qualities | Description |
| Leadership Style | She is a confident yet humble leader who combines strategic and commercial insight with pedagogical expertise to create meaningful and lasting change. |
| Communication & Relationships | She is an excellent communicator and presenter, known for building strong, trusting relationships with current and future stakeholders. |
| Team Alignment & Vision | With an entrepreneurial mindset and strong emotional intelligence, she aligns teams and resources effectively, ensuring progress remains aligned with a clear and shared vision. |
| Commitment to Growth | She is deeply committed to continuous growth at the individual, team, school, and organizational levels. |
| Collaborative Approach | Her consultative and collaborative leadership style encourages open dialogue, innovative ideas, and constructive feedback from all stakeholders. |
| Framework Development | She has envisioned, designed, and implemented leadership and learning frameworks that empower individuals and foster a culture of accountability and sustainability. |
| Leading by Example | She leads by example, consistently modeling organizational values and inspiring others to follow. |
| Empathy & Integrity | Guided by empathy and integrity, she is a true champion of people and culture. |
| Inclusive Community Building | She creates inclusive environments where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected by a genuine sense of belonging. |
| Coaching & Mentoring | As a trusted coach and mentor, she actively listens and creates meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth. |
| Cultural Competency & Global Readiness | She is passionate about promoting bi-cultural and intercultural understanding and preparing students to thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape. |
| Global Experience | With extensive experience as a principal and executive principal of IB schools across four continents and a strong foundation in New Zealand, she brings a unique global perspective to education. |
| Educational Leadership | She has led impactful teaching and learning projects with governments and school communities around the world, contributing to progressive educational excellence. |
| Networking & Innovation | Through her strong local and international connections, she fosters innovation and sustainable growth within diverse school communities. |
| Commitment to DEIB & Lifelong Learning | She consistently demonstrates her commitment to DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) and lifelong learning, driving cultures of empowerment, innovation, and continuous improvement. |
Kim Green’s Innovative Programs & Framework For Excellence In Education
Kim Green has introduced several innovative programs and frameworks that have strengthened learning, improved school culture, and empowered students and teachers to grow and succeed:
Synergetic Operating Model
- She introduced a synergetic operating model that established networked teams within a hierarchical organizational structure.
- This model promotes decentralized leadership and decision-making, encouraging shared responsibility.
- It has accelerated innovation and improved the school’s ability to adapt and transform effectively.
Excellence/High-Quality Teaching and Learning Framework
- She developed a comprehensive framework for high-quality teaching and learning, anchored in school values, IB standards, and best practices.
- The framework focuses on empowering continuous professional growth with a strong emphasis on improving student learning outcomes.
Leadership Development Program
- She designed a comprehensive leadership development program for middle leaders.
- The program is built on three key elements essential for effective leadership growth: rehearsal and practice, collaboration and co-construction, and reflection.
Social, Emotional Learning, and Pastoral Care Structures
- She established robust structures for social and emotional learning and pastoral care.
- These include a comprehensive curriculum covering digital citizenship, positive education, wellbeing competencies, and sexuality education in partnership with Suzie March.
Home Language Learning
- She implemented an inclusive home language learning initiative across middle and high school, offering 18 languages.
- The model was presented at UNESCO and International Baccalaureate conferences and has since been adopted by other international schools.
- The initiative led to measurable improvements in English proficiency, student confidence, sense of belonging, pride in identity, and overall academic achievement.
Service Learning
- She pioneered the concept of “servipreneurship,” integrating entrepreneurship with community service.
- The service learning model empowers students to contribute meaningfully to their communities, with many establishing NGOs that they continue to lead beyond graduation.
Youth Educating Youth Program
- She initiated the “Youth Educating Youth” program, which fosters collaboration between sister schools.
- The initiative empowers students to teach and support their peers while contributing to infrastructure development, including building libraries, toilet facilities, courtyards, and basketball courts.
Upcoming Initiatives
With a clear vision for the future, Kim Green is leading new initiatives that focus on inclusion, innovation, and real-world learning to help students and teachers grow and succeed:
| Diversity and Differentiation for Personalized Learning | Expanding inclusive approaches to meet the unique needs of every learner. |
| Pathways, Connection with Industry, and Leveraging AI | Strengthening real-world connections and integrating technology to prepare students for the future. |
| Sustainability | Embedding environmental responsibility across all school operations and learning experiences. |
| Commitment to Making a Local Difference | Focusing on projects such as a mass timber new build, reducing the carbon footprint, and promoting carbon offsetting. |
| Education Outside the Classroom | Enhancing experiential learning through outdoor and community-based programs that deepen engagement and real-world learning opportunities. |
| Leadership Development and Professional Learning | Continuing to empower staff through growth-focused leadership and professional learning initiatives. |
Celebrating Excellence
Kristin School’s dedication to excellence and innovation is reflected in the awards and recognitions it has earned:
- ISNZ awards for excellent practitioners.
- Multiple Awards for new buildings – Tūrama, Punawai.
- Recognised as an Apple Distinguished School.
Stay Grounded in Your “Why”
When mentoring future leaders, Kim Green encourages them to stay true to their purpose and lead with honesty and heart, sharing these key lessons:
- Stay centered on students and your “Why”: Stay connected with students and their learning, remembering the core values and motivations that first inspired your journey in education.
- Practice self-care and reflection: Effective leadership requires caring for your own emotional well-being alongside that of the organization.
- Be curious, humble, and vulnerable: Lead with empathy, trust, and authenticity. Keep learning, listen actively to all voices, and strengthen skills like communication, teamwork, and mediation.
- Take action without waiting for perfection: Don’t wait to feel fully ready before trying new ideas. Embrace mistakes as lessons, act on feedback, and view leadership as a continuous learning journey.
- Handle complexity with grace: Balance competing priorities, lead change with flexibility, and adapt based on reflection, values, and collaboration.
Kristin School’s Forward-Thinking Educational Focus
Kim Green is inspired by how education is evolving to prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
At Kristin School, this vision is reflected through key focus areas such as:
- Mental Health Education: Kim believes supporting students’ emotional well-being is vital, helping them build resilience and confidence.
- Sustainability: She ensures sustainability is woven into learning, encouraging students to care for the planet and act responsibly.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Kim is exploring AI to create more personalized and engaging learning experiences while promoting its responsible use.
- Competency-Based Assessment: She champions assessment methods that recognize each student’s unique strengths beyond traditional grades, valuing skills, growth, and real-world readiness.
Media Features
Kim Green and Kristin School has been featured in several respected publications that highlight their innovative approach to education and community building, including:
- https://www.k12digest.com/magazine-june-2025/
- https://channelmag.co.nz/channel/columnist/a-strong-community-at-kristin/
- https://channelmag.co.nz/channel/features/a-chat-with-kim-green/
Empowering Every Student to Know They Matter
Kim Green draws her biggest inspiration from her students. Each day, she is motivated by the goal of helping every learner feel included, valued, and confident that they matter. Growing up in a small town and attending a small school, she learned firsthand how opportunity and belief can change a life. Her journey has taught her that with curiosity, reflection, and courage, anything is possible. Kim hopes every young person she meets understands that true leadership comes from kindness, humility, and empathy, even when challenges arise or tough decisions must be made.
Kim Green’s 5 Impactful Business Mantras
- Lead with Purpose and Clarity: A clear vision guides teams toward meaningful goals and transforms potential into progress.
- Empower People, Build Trust: True success begins with empowering others—creating spaces where everyone feels valued and heard.
- Embrace Change with Courage: Innovation thrives when leaders take bold steps, learn from challenges, and turn uncertainty into growth.
- Foster Collaboration and Curiosity: Shared ideas and continuous learning drive creativity, improvement, and long-term success.
- Stay Rooted in Values: Integrity, empathy, and authenticity form the foundation for lasting impact and responsible leadership.
