What if school inspections could be reimagined to be more developmental for schools, stakeholders, and authorities? Join Leisa Grace and Maryssa O’Connor, Principal and CEO of Gems Wellington School in Dubai, as they discuss her career journey and the importance of school inspections, transparency, and accreditation in international schools.
Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode filled with valuable insights and ideas on how school leaders can use inspection frameworks to develop and achieve a sense of fulfilment. As we look ahead to the Middle East School Leadership Conference in February, we hope to continue this conversation with a wider audience and drive positive change for the future of school inspections.
Maryssa O’Connor was appointed as the Principal and Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Wellington International School in 2018. Maryssa has strengthened the school through sustainable systems and deep transformation in all aspects of its performance, and GEMS Wellington International School is now a globally recognised World Class School, delivering an outstanding educational experience for all students regardless of ability, including the IBDP and IBCP pathways to an exceptional level. This achievement has been recognised by BSO and DSIB. The school achieved COBIS Patrons membership in January 2023 with Beacon status for Leadership. Maryssa works extensively with worldwide educational partners to promote high-quality and inclusive education for all schools focusing on the IB and British Curriculum particularly.
As an HPL Fellowship Principal, Maryssa is an expert coach in contemporary learning sciences, shaping educational futures with fellow ambitious, like-minded educationalists. Maryssa is also an associate member of the Association of Education Advisers, Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, Headmaster’s Conference member and collaborates with leaders across the world to create a cohesive, consistent and quality support system providing rigour, integrity and gravitas to systems, improving coherence and consistency throughout schools. Maryssa sits on the advisory boards for a number of partners, including 8Billionideas and HPL.
Maryssa graduated with a BA (Hons) in English Literature, holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship and is currently working towards the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership. As a Senior Vice-President for GEMS Education, Maryssa works across the cluster of GEMS Wellington schools in Dubai and Qatar, as well as supporting educational strategy across the group.
Connect with Maryssa here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryssa-o-connor-fcct-ab93671a1/.
