US Education Expert to Lead Workshops in December and February
On December 10-11, 2014, sixty MENA-based teacher leaders and school administrators from across all educational curricula will attend the Cognitive Coaching Foundations Training at Collegiate American School (CAS) in Dubai. The event, organized by Know.Do.Serve.Learn. (KDSL), will feature US educational expert and former classroom teacher Sharon Storrier, who works globally to build communication and collaboration among teachers and increase student achievement.
Pioneered by US leadership organisation Thinking Collaborative, Cognitive Coaching is a research-based professional development model that aims to enhance teachers’ cognitive processes to promote more effective teaching and learning. During the two-day workshop, Ms. Storrier will focus on strategies to enhance intellectual growth and strengthen instructional decision-making. Participants will learn to establish rapport; create trust; conduct planning and reflecting conversations; and develop teacher self-confidence, collaboration, flexibility, awareness, and precision.
Ms. Storrier asserted, “School leaders everywhere are searching for the tools to implement and sustain the system-wide changes that yield high performing, self-directed teaching, learning, and leadership. While we often look outside our district for the ‘answers,’ the most powerful resource we have is our own staff.”
Dr. Andy Westerman, Superintendent of CAS, conveyed, “We know from research that teachers who reason at higher levels generate students who are greater attaining, more cooperative, and superior problem solvers. Cognitive Coaching improves critical thinking by focusing on the development of self-directed teachers (and students). This preparation directly targets what learning leaders need to push learning to new heights. We are delighted to be able to host this training at CAS.”
Kevin Simpson, Managing Director of KDSL, commented, “One of KDSL’s greatest value-adds is the ability to bring the resources of innovative organisations like Thinking Collaborative to provide high-quality professional learning to teacher leaders and administrators at schools in Dubai and throughout the MENA region. We are thrilled to be able to make this training a reality.”
The second part of the training will occur February 11-12, 2015 at CAS.
– KDSL Press Release
