89. Finding Our Way Forward Through Tough Transitions: The SPAN Program, with Amy Shuflin and Lina Paumgarten Artwork

Educators Going Global

Our mission is to inform both veteran and aspiring international educators about working overseas - What it’s like and how it's changing, Where to find more information, Why "going global" is so attractive and How and When to work through the recruiting process. We do this via targeted episodes where we give informational interviews as well as sharing personal vignettes related to all aspects of international education. We work to tell the full story so you are really in the know about international schools. We invite you to travel, teach and connect with us!

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Educators Going Global

89. Finding Our Way Forward Through Tough Transitions: The SPAN Program, with Amy Shuflin and Lina Paumgarten

October 17, 2025 • Audrey Forgeron and David Carpenter • Season 3

We all seek to belong. It’s a human need. If you’ve moved schools, you know transitions can be tough. Thankfully, the Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN) program, created by Dr. Doug Ota, provides a transitions care framework for schools. In this episode, we spoke with Amy Shuflin and Lina Paumgarten, developers of resources for SPAN.

Amy worked for 17 years in Venezuela and Malaysia. She is currently the SPAN Resource Lead. She is passionate about schools caring for the needs of the full community and has integrated transitions care into her work in various roles. She has a B.A. in Youth Ministry, an MEd. in Curriculum and Instruction and is a Youth Mental Health First Aider. Amy enjoys meeting people, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Lina previously served as Counselor and Wellness Coordinator at Nido de Aguilas in Santiago, Chile. She is now working on her PhD in psychology, focusing on suicide prevention in international education. Lina likes to explore the outdoors, stay active, and spend time with friends, family and her dog. She believes in the power of embracing our full humanity through life’s changes, which are inevitable -- and an opportunity for growth.

The guiding question was: “How can schools build or enhance a program rooted in positive transitions-care?”

Topics covered:

An overview of SPAN
Supporting arrivers, leavers, and stayers
Reasons why schools need transitions care programs and practical strategies

Recorded: July 13, 2025.

Resources mentioned:
International School Counselor Association - ISCA
Life Without Nico by Andrea Maturana
LINDEN Global Learning & Support
Safe Passage Across Networks

Lina’s LinkedIn, Instagram, linapaumgarten.com

Amy’s LinkedIn

Categories: Transitions | School Life

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Music: YouTube. (2022). Acoustic Guitar | Folk | No copyright | 2022❤️. YouTube. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOEmg_6i7jA.