Beyond Bridges Education Founders Johanna Pickering and Lisa Low

The Journey of Beyond Bridges Education

May 30, 20243 min read

The essence of Beyond Bridges Education encapsulates our vision of transcending traditional educational boundaries. - BBE

Mothers of Sons

The journey of Beyond Bridges Education (BBE) began with a serendipitous meeting between Lisa, and Johanna in Hong Kong, China, as our children embarked on a new chapter of their educational journey in 2018. We both have truly international backgrounds—Canadian and British—and share a passion for languages, travel, and cultural understanding. When the opportunity arose, we seized the chance to move overseas with our young families, aiming to instil in our children a love for diverse cultures. We have lived in the UK, Europe, the US, Canada, and Asia.

Johanna Pickering and Lisa Low in Hong Kong

Our bond was strengthened as we shared the joys and frustrations of raising three boys each,  striving to provide them with rich experiences while also helping them grow into considerate and kind young men (and ensuring they put the toilet seat down - still a work in progress). In our male-dominated households, we learned to cater to large appetites, implement simple, effective systems, and maintain the crucial balance of female friendships to counterbalance the male energy.

Having navigated the challenges of relocating our children to different schools and countries, we understand the critical importance of finding the right school and ensuring a smooth transition and settling-in period.

With professional backgrounds in education—Johanna as a Director of Admissions and Lisa as a teacher, Head Teacher, and SENCO—and our personal experience of international moves, we uniquely comprehend the needs of families and the expectations of schools. With neurodiversity in our own families, we wanted to focus particularly on supporting families with children who require additional assistance in finding the right educational environment and helping schools recognise how each child can learn best.

The Dream: Beyond Bridges Education

The essence of Beyond Bridges Education encapsulates our vision of transcending traditional educational boundaries. The name symbolises bridging gaps and overcoming obstacles, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and innovation. We envision a future where education extends beyond current limitations, empowering teachers, families, and communities. Our ultimate goal is to coach and train educators in inclusive practices, building networks and support systems to uplift every family and their child’s learning journey. By leveraging neuroscience and embracing diverse cultures, our larger goal is to catalyse a shift towards a more inclusive society that celebrates individuality and empowers every learner to thrive, one step at a time.

Our Core Values

Recognising the Strengths in Every Child:

We believe each individual possesses unique talents and abilities waiting to be discovered.

Valuing Families:

We want families to feel valued, seen, and heard.

Compassionate Approach:

Our approach is rooted in empathy and understanding, providing non-judgmental support to navigate challenges while respecting the lived experiences of those we support.

Helping Every Child Thrive:

We believe every child deserves to thrive, so we create conditions to make this happen.

Empowering Families and Educators:

We empower families and educators with knowledge and resources to advocate for children’s needs and create inclusive learning environments.

We’re so excited to build a support community that we wish we had had when we first made our overseas move.

For more information about how we support families visit our Services for Families page

Back to Blog