About Me

Hello! My name is Christopher Dylan Allen. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, I have spent over twenty years leading schools and driving educational excellence across the U.S., China, Brazil, Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Indonesia. My journey has taken me from the classroom to the boardroom, currently serving as the Deputy Executive Principal at Sekolah Ciputra, a prominent IB Continuum and WASC-accredited school in Surabaya, Indonesia. In this role, I help oversee a vibrant community of 1,300 students and 250 staff, working to align strategic planning, employee evaluation, and operational systems with our vision for student success.

However, I have a confession to make: I used to be a very traditional educator. Early in my career, I handed out worksheets, penalized students for learning at different speeds, and spent my time speaking at students rather than working with them. I thought being an "expert" meant I had finished learning. Thankfully, I am no longer that educator. Through my doctoral studies and advanced leadership training with the Principals' Training Center, Harvard and Stanford University, I have evolved into a leader who champions growth mindset, entrepreneurial thinking, and inclusive education. I now understand that my role is not just to teach, but to build environments where staff and students feel safe to take risks, innovate, and grow.

This perspective is shaped by deep experience with global standards and regulatory frameworks. I do not just lead schools; I have spent years evaluating them to ensure they meet the highest international benchmarks. My background includes leading schools through successful authorization and accreditation processes with WASC and NEASC, including being a Visiting Team Member for both organizations and a Visiting Team Chair for WASC. Beyond the school site, I served as an Associate Inspector for the Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai, where I conducted rigorous inspections of private schools against government standards. I also bring over a decade of experience with the International Baccalaureate Organization, having served as both an consultant guiding schools through authorization and as an Assistant Examiner for DP History. This unique blend of regulatory oversight and practical leadership allows me to see the big picture of what makes a school truly exceptional.