Leaders in Education Conference
SUN 14 NOVEMBER
10:30 - 10:50How YouTube and Tiktok Changed My Teaching Approach | The Octopus Method
The job market of the future is unpredictable. The jobs that some of our children in school will go into haven't been invented. How do we prepare children for careers that may not exist yet? As a YouTube and Tiktok content creator, the algorithms that dictate growth change on a seemingly daily basis. The lessons learned from content creation have seeped into my lessons shared with children and the approach children learn from. Could these strategies be the answer to future-proofing education?
Language : English
Topic : Innovative Methods / 21st Century Teaching
Speaker:
Thomas Blakemore | Primary School Class Teacher, Kent College Dubai
11:05 - 11:25Elevating Efficacy in Schools
This talk will look at how leaders and teachers can drive efficacy in schools and the wider educational community.
Language : Arabic
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Olly Lewis | Head of Science - The British International School Abu Dhabi
11:40 - 12:00How to earn a teaching qualification without leaving your school
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Kevin Ruth | President, Moreland University
12:15 - 12:35Positioning yourself for a school leadership role: why and how
This session is aimed at teachers and school leaders who are thinking about taking on a more senior leadership role now or in the future. Based on Dr Helen Wright’s experience over several years with LSC Education as a recruiter of school leaders in the UAE and globally, the session will explore:
- Why it is so important to find the right leadership role
- How to find the right role;
- How applicants for leadership roles can position themselves effectively for a successful application.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Dr Helen Wright | Board Chair, International Education Advisor, Executive Leadership Coach
12:50 - 13:10Blended Learning
This workshop is based on a 4-days training course that I prepared during lock-down. This workshop was aimed at supporting teachers and heads of departments in the field of blended education due to its importance and the lack of effective practices which would definitely having a positive effect on the levels of progress and achievement of students, mainly due to my view, my studies and my scientific readings before and during my study of my Master’s on the weakness of educating teachers in this field, as well as the lack of correct concepts or useful workshops and courses for a wide range of teachers and department heads.
Topic : Digital / eLearning
Speaker:
Ahmed Kamal | IB secondary teacher and Digital Leader, Dwight School Dubai
13:25 - 13:45Enhancing relations with your parent body
Practical and creative ways to successfully engage with your parents at all levels.
Topics include:
- The role of the Parent Ambassador
- The importance of managing Parental ‘What’s-app’ Groups
- Creating and implementing strategic informal touch points for parents
- Appling the ‘halo effect’ for new parents
- Maximising the flow of communication to your parents
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Simon Crane | Head Master, Brighton College Dubai
14:35 - 14:55The Blended Learning Effective implementation aligned with the SDG goals and the innovation theory of the entrepreneurship
1.25 billion students (SDG 4) Lost their education worldwide due to COVID 19. The pandemic has exposed fundamental weaknesses in our global system. It has shown how the prevalence of poverty, weak health systems, lack of education, and a lack of global cooperation exacerbate the crisis. The priority now is to have lives. Does the octagonal framework of blended learning be the answer? How can we as policymakers, teachers, and students build a more resilient education experience after the pandemic and be more prepared in light of the sustainable goals framework?
Language : English
Topic : Innovative Methods / 21st Century Teaching
Speaker:
Dr. Hind Abou Nasr Kassir | Founder, SEEDSARAB
15:15 - 15:35Preparing International Students to transition to global Universities
As more international students aspire to study at universities outside of their home country, how can they best prepare for the transition from living at home to living and studying independently. This session will look at how schools and parents can prepare students to make a strong and successful start on the next stage of their education journey.
Language : English
Topic : Higher Education / Vocational
Speaker:
Fiona McKenzie | Head of Global Consultancy, Carfax Education
15:50 - 16:10School Uniforms: Late to the climate party
How school uniforms can help to fight the climate crisis.
The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, yet despite being made of synthetic fibres, conventional cotton, and being destined for landfill, up until now school uniforms have been overlooked. Find out more about how school uniforms can play a crucial role in your school’s strategy to fight against the climate crisis by reducing the environmental impact, offsetting what remains, and also having a positive social impact.
Language : English
Topic : Innovative Methods / 21st Century Teaching
Speaker:
Matthew Benjamin | CEO & Founder, Kapes
16:25 - 16:45Experiential Learning
Under the auspice of 'the future being now', education needs to equip students not simply with knowledge, but with skills that apply to the context of the world beyond a school campus. The best approach to the future comes through preparedness. We value the unique opportunity to provide students with real life experiential learning programs to help them make connections with the world of work where they can test and further develop their personal skills attributes to enhance their future employability and validate their higher education choices. This presentation gives voice to students from Universal American School, who will give first hand accounts of the value of experiential learning. We find that the unique experiential learning programs at UAS, which harness an entrepreneurial spirit and a dedication to making connections to the real world, particularly valuable and inspiring for students in today’s society
Language : English
Topic : Innovative Methods / 21st Century Teaching
Speaker:
Janecke Aarnaes | Director, Universal American School
MON 15 NOVEMBER
10:30 - 10:50Building High Performing Systems & Schools
Moving from the key attributes of high performing school systems to the features of successful schools, the presentation will move to how governors and school leaders play co-supportive roles in creating high performing school cultures.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Simon O'Grady | CEO, High Performance Learning
11:00 - 11:20Digital Leadership to Build Capacity
During these challenging times happening in education sector, role of the leaders are also changing on a fast pace. Leadership being the key component in guiding the teaching-learning process is necessary for preparing today’s students with relevant knowledge and skills. The leaders play an essential role in technology integration. This role is crucial in helping teachers create today’s ideal learning environment for students to empower both teachers and students to innovate and create when becoming technology confident users.
Language : English
Topic : Innovative Methods / 21st Century Teaching
Speaker:
Eman Hamshari | Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lead, Taaleem, American Academy for Girls
11:40 - 12:00Core Values: The Key to Creating a Culture of Change
Inspired by ideas such as the Greek concept of Meraki (putting all of yourself into your work) and Satya (Sanskrit for living truth), THINK Global School's eight core values are deeply intertwined within the school's Changemaker Curriculum. They play a crucial role in helping students take agency over their learning, master new skills, and develop a deep sense of purpose.
By the end of the talk, you'll learn how you can put your own school's core values at the front and centre of your educational mission and vision.
Language : English
Topic : Curriculum
Speaker:
Russell Cailey | Principal, THINK Global School
12:15 - 12:35Alfiya IQ Battery
Saudi Arabia's experience on virtual accreditation visits during the Corona pandemic.
Language : Arabic
Topic : Innovative Methods / 21st Century Teaching
Speaker:
Dr. Abdullah AlQataee | CEO of the National Centre for Assessment (Qiyas), Education & Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC)
12:50 - 13:10Bridging the gap between Professional Sport and Education
Language : English
Topic : Music / Performing Arts / Sports
Speaker:
Sarah Louise Saiger | Professional Athlete & School Development Manager, Cambridge International
13:25 - 13:45Neuro Linguistic Programming For Educators to Ensure Excellence in Classroom Learning
The topic assures engagement with students using the NLP model of Human Excellence exploring the teaching learning scenario using the Tools of Neuro Linguistic Programming like Modelling, Visualisation, Matching and Rapport Building. The workshop aims to register and encapsulate the learning outcome with periodic experiential learning implementation and tools via brainstorming and other problem solving tools in particular. The initiative is towards making learning a priority through the Human Excellence of connect and engagement through interactions and comprehensive means of engagement.
Language : English
Topic : Neuroscience
Speaker:
Dr. Dheeraj Mehrotra | National Awardee, Author & Principal, Kunwar’s Global School, Lucknow, India
13:55 - 14:25Staff Retention in International Teaching - a school leader perspective
The promise of sunnier climes, shorter working hours and tax free salaries drives teachers to international teaching, but can also lead to speedy staff turnover as teachers view their new international position as temporary, and leaders view the churn as part of the international education landscape. Staff retention is a pressing issue given the expense of international hires, but also improving standards can be incredibly tough with this temporary mindset. Victoria James will moderate a conversation with leaders to discuss practical strategies to drive retention rates up, encourage loyalty and build a reputation as the best place to work. This conversation will touch on teacher wellbeing in terms of job satisfaction, career progression and security, and encourage the change in mindset required in staff approaches to international teaching.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speakers:
Mark Leppard MBE | Headmaster, The British School Al Khubairat
Ruth Sanderson | Senior Vice Principal - Head of Secondary, Doha College
Fiona Cottam | Principal and Chief Academic Officer, Hartland International School
Victoria James | Regional Head of Development - Middle East, Tes Institute
14:35 - 14:55Skilling & Employability
Technology advancements, the rise of cloud, socio-economic and demographic changes are shifting expectations and placing new demands on society. While these changes hold great promise, education systems will need to respond to prepare their students for the future.
Today’s students need to be empowered with access to the right tools, experiences, and learning opportunities to build the skills necessary to fuel the future. While students will still need 21st-century skills like collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and computational thinking, it’s becoming increasingly important to equip students with the technology skills they’ll need to thrive in a digital economy.
Language : English
Topic : Digital / eLearning
Speaker:
Harb Bou Harb | MEA, Regional Director Education, Microsoft
15:15 - 15:35New School Models Post COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has given us the opportunity to reimagine and reinvent our global education system. In this talk, we will explore case studies and emerging models of education in the coming decade. We will look at examples of how schools around the world are successfully deploying cutting-edge solutions - including learning models that have no exams, grades or classes. Join us as we look at practical examples of interdisciplinary, challenge-based, and inquiry-based learning models.
Language : English
Topic : Curriculum
Speaker:
Raya Bidshahri | Founder & CEO, School of Humanity
15:50 - 16:10Changing the Conversation for Career Education for the Youth
Careers education and guidance are marginalized in a system of education. Most of these curriculums are not current and do not prepare the youth for their future careers and their future responsibilities as world citizens. Those responsible for providing academic provisions with tight budgetary constraints, rarely buy-in to the value of employing a qualified practitioner who not only understands the business of education, but also understands the business of career readiness for the youth. This talk discusses key points for headteachers and key stake-holders. Careers Education is THE most important service that prepares the youth for the realities of work, but also ensures that education institutions are supporting the preparation of our future world citizens and ensuring that they are being given quality guidance that helps them merge, understand and take advantage of the world of academia and their pathways towards future careers.
Language : English
Topic : Curriculum
Speaker:
Maria Vitoratos | Careers Educator & Coach, Dubai English Speaking College
16:25 - 16:45Environmental Leadership, for a Sustainable Development
This session will talk about the importance of engraining sustainability education within schools and why the world needs more environmental leaders going forward.
Language : English
Topic : Higher Education / Vocational
Speaker:
Dr. Rashed Karkain | CEO & MD, Sustainable Development Research and Training Institute
TUE 16 NOVEMBER
10:30 - 10:50How to co-create conditions where everyone can reach their fullest potential?
All educational institutions are now vigorously looking for new practices to meet all the new expectations addressed to schools and educators to enable safe return to in-person instruction. A million-dollar question is, how to ensure safe and healthy but at the same time a supportive learning environment. The presentation will provide ideas and measures as inspiration and jumping-off points for new to create learner-centered environments where everyone can reach their fullest potential.
Language : English
Topic : Learning Environment
Speaker:
Elise Tarvainen | COO, Isku International | ISKU
11:05 - 11:25The importance of global context on forming the cosmopolitan ethos of a school curriculum and ethos
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Dr. Saima Rana | Principal / CEO, GEMS World Academy
12:15 - 12:35Digital Connectivity: A Game-Changer for Education
Language : English
Topic : Innovative Methods / 21st Century Teaching
Speaker:
H.E. Dr. Tariq Al Gurg | Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman, Dubai Cares
12:50 - 13:10Teacher Turnover in International Schools: Why are teachers leaving and how can schools stem the tide?
My proposed talk would explore the predicted causal factors for teacher turnover in international schools and explore the strategies that have been recommended to promote greater retention in leading studies. I would also hope to be in a position to give a synopsis of a more substantial literature review on this topic and also the insights I will have gained from my own preliminary research into teacher turnover in British Schools in Abu Dhabi as I am in the final stages of a PhD application with University College London. The main construct categories that have been found to contribute to teacher turnover would be explored; namely, teacher characteristics, school characteristics, leadership characteristics, organisational characteristics and host characteristics. I would then set out a series of recommendations that can be put into practice to promote retention based on leading studies and national / international reports.
Language : English
Topic : Early Years
Speaker:
Stephen Daly | Head of Humanities (Prep), Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
13:25 - 13:45Every Child Can be a Leader
Being a great leader within the school is not just about being Head Boy or Head Girl. The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, believes that every child has the potential to become a great leader if they are taught the right skills. A leader is an individual that truly understands themselves, knows where they want to go, and wants to inspire people to join them on a journey for good. Over the past ten years, the RGS Guildford in the UK has been working on creating a leadership programme that is rooted in the psychology of leadership. The programme’s learning principals are Organisation, Engagement, Imagination, Perseverance, Aspiration and Reflection. Aside from the clear value of academic learning, RGS believes and knows that true success in life depends on so much more. This belief is the true essence of RGS Guildford Dubai’s leadership programme, Riyada, which means ‘leadership’ in Arabic, and is at the heart of RGS Guildford Dubai’s curriculum.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Craig Lamshed | Principal, Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai
14:00 - 14:20Leadership and Learning, the Finnish way
This talk will discuss the challenges of education in the Middle East following the pandemic and how by adopting and implementing elements from the Finnish education system schools can be future ready. The talk will focus on areas such as developing a learning and wellbeing agenda, building trust and future proofing your school through a hybrid model.
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Stephen Cox | Chief Education Officer, New Nordic School
14:35 - 14:55The C21st Skills Gap
How do you address the growing skills gap between our current education system and organisations? It's no secret that companies are struggling to find the right talent to fill jobs. With rapid technological advancements, workers' skills are becoming obsolete faster than ever before. The world of work is quickly changing, and employees require a lifetime of continuous learning to keep up. Companies are struggling to provide the learning environment needed to tackle the workforce skills gap. 70 % CEOs say their employees don't have the current skills needed to adapt, only 11% execs are confident that college graduates will be prepared for the workforce, and 42 % employees say they are likely to leave their current job because they aren't learning enough. The context for the UAE, more than 28% of the population of the middle east is aged between 15 - 29. This represents over 108 million young people. The largest number of young people transitioning to adulthood in the region's history. I will talk about what the solutions are for the current skills gap.
Language : English
Topic : Curriculum
Speaker:
Rachael Pryce | Educator / Founder, EducationYalla
15:15 - 15:35Creating a Culture Through Finding Your Purpose
Language : English
Topic : Leadership and Management
Speaker:
Ian Thurston | Principal, DIA Emirates Hills