Teach Middle East Podcast

Send us Fan Mail What shapes resilient educational leaders? Sue Aspinall's remarkable journey reveals how personal challenges can forge professional strength. Growing up in northern England, Sue watched her widowed mother raise four children with unwavering determination, a powerful example that instilled independence and resilience from an early age. This foundation propelled Sue to become t...

Send us Fan Mail Akansha, founder and CEO of yourdailyreset.com, shares her journey from political journalism to championing teacher well-being in the UAE, drawing inspiration from growing up with educator parents and experiencing burnout firsthand in her media career. • Growing up with educator parents who encouraged critical thinking and supported her early interest in journalism • Pursuing jour...

Send us Fan Mail What makes a great educational leader, and how can coaching support those in challenging leadership positions? In this conversation with former school head turned leadership coach Caz Jude, we dive deep into the transformative power of leadership coaching in education. Leadership can be isolating, especially in today's rapidly changing educational landscape. Caz shares how co...

Send us Fan Mail Rehab Shahbal, Founder and CEO of DYStinct Learners, shares her journey from financial executive to dyslexia advocate after her son's diagnosis. She discusses how we can better support students with unique learning needs by recognising their differences rather than disabilities. • Dyslexia should be viewed as a learning difference, not a disability or disease • Early identifi...

Send us Fan Mail Tyronne shares his journey from actor to educator, creating a leadership legacy focused on respect, creativity, and empowerment that transforms both student learning and staff development. • Started career as an actor before finding his calling in education after a supply teaching job • Created a school culture centred on respect with simple practices like emphasising "please...

Send us Fan Mail Steve Lupton, Principal at Repton Abu Dhabi, shares his journey from teaching in Australia and challenging schools in London to leadership roles in the UAE, highlighting the unpredictable yet rewarding nature of school leadership. • Growing up in rural Australia with a multicultural background shaped Steve's perspective on diversity and inclusion • Reconnecting with his fathe...

Send us Fan Mail Leadership in education requires vision, authentic relationships, and an unwavering focus on serving children above all else. • Scan your school to identify talent and tap potential leaders on the shoulder • Maintain authentic leadership while balancing accountability and relationships • Lead with grace and empathy even when delivering difficult messages • Build resilience through...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the challenges and rewards of school leadership through the personal journey of  Daniel Mchugh, a former corporate professional. We delve into topics ranging from the importance of work-life balance to effective delegation and systematic change in educational institutions.  Guest hosted by Zoubiya Ahmed Connect with Zoubiya at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoubiya/ - Trans...

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the powerful relationship between coaching and leadership legacy with Dr Helen Wright and Zoubiya Ahmed at the Middle East School Leadership Conference 2025. They discuss how coaching can transform leaders while helping them create a collective legacy that impacts their communities. • Introduction to the theme of building leadership legacy • Role of coaching...

Send us Fan Mail A profound discussion on the importance of safeguarding in education unfolds at the Middle East School Leadership Conference ( MESLC) with Zoubiya Ahmed and Priya Mitchell, highlighting how legacy and relationships between educators and students can shape a safe, nurturing environment. Our guest's experience showcases how collaborative efforts empower both educators and stude...

Send us Fan Mail This episode centres on the critical importance of professional development and leadership in education. It discusses the need for schools to prioritise teacher expertise as a means to improve student outcomes and addresses the ongoing debate regarding class sizes and effective teaching. Guest hosted by Zoubiya Ahmed Connect with Zoubiya at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoubiya/ •...

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the often-silent experiences of neurodiverse teachers and the barriers they face within the education system. Shona OCallaghan shares her journey, illustrating the importance of inclusivity for both staff and students and the need for greater awareness about neurodiversity in schools. • Discussion on the hidden neurodiversity among teachers  • Shauna's p...

Send us Fan Mail This episode focuses on bridging the gap between educational research and classroom practice. Professor Rob Coe offers insights on effective professional development and the challenges faced by teachers and school leaders. Rob emphasises the importance of making research accessible and actionable to improve teaching quality and student outcomes. • The journey from teacher to resea...

Send us Fan Mail The episode explores ADEK's introduction of 39 new policies aimed at enhancing education in Abu Dhabi. These policies focus on collaboration, student well-being, and cultural relevance. Sylvie Wald discusses the comprehensive approach to policy-making that incorporates feedback from schools, ensuring that the new guidelines meet the needs of both educators and students. • Int...

Send us Fan Mail Gillian Hammond’s journey from a rural childhood to becoming the principal of Repton in Dubai exemplifies the twists and turns of a fulfilling educational career. The conversation delves into her personal and professional development, focusing on creating an engaging and supportive school environment.  • Early creative influences from family and nature  • Transitioning from pharma...

Send us Fan Mail In this reflective solo episode, Leisa Grace shares the remarkable journey of the Teach Middle East podcast since its launch in 2021. From hosting major educational conferences to creating a global platform for professional development, she explores how the podcast has grown into a vital resource for educators across the Middle East and beyond. Leisa opens up about her personal pa...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a dream of flying aeroplanes leads to an unexpected career in education? In this episode of the Teach Middle East Podcast , we chat with Sam Welbeck, principal of Qatar Academy, Doha, about his incredible journey from aspiring pilot and doctor to becoming a leader in education. Sam shares how the 2011 Egyptian revolution changed his path, bringing him to Doha, wh...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Katrina Mankani, Director of Jumeirah International Nurseries, Board Member of Fortes Education, and Director of Innovation and Positive Education at Fortes Education, shares her remarkable journey from teaching assistant to educational leader.  She reveals how implementing positive education and the PERMA model has transformed her school's culture, improving...

Send us Fan Mail What can a hip-hop beat teach you about photosynthesis? Join us as we uncover the story of Matt Green, the rapping science teacher whose educational rhymes are taking classrooms by storm. Matt combines his passion for science and his love for music to create captivating rap videos that make learning both fun and effective. By meticulously editing his content using the CapCut app,...

Send us Fan Mail Are you curious about transforming your approach to education with AI? In this episode, we sit down with Darren Coxon, who shares his journey from teaching English literature to becoming a pioneer in artificial intelligence for schools. Darren's AI journey began with an encounter with ChatGPT, sparking the founding of Node Education—a venture dedicated to helping schools deve...

Send us Fan Mail Dr Saima Rana, CEO and Principal of GEMS World Academy, Dubai, and Deputy CEO of GEMS Education Global, shares her remarkable journey from a spirited upbringing in West London to leading global educational initiatives. Rooted in values from her close-knit, community-focused family, Dr. Saima reflects on how her passion for the arts and a practical career in economics led her to tr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Nadine Powrie shares her journey from a French assistant to a leader in some of the UK's most challenging schools. Drawing on experiences from New Zealand and Australia, she discusses how research, collaboration, and continuous learning have shaped her approach to education and school inspections. Mentorship played a crucial role in Nadine's development,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Amanda Spielman joins us to discuss a new, supportive approach to school inspections. We dive into how inspections can be reframed to help schools grow and improve rather than focusing solely on punitive measures. Amanda shares her vision for making the process more constructive and beneficial for educators and students alike. Whether you're a school leader,...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to shatter the glass ceiling in education? In this powerful episode of the Teach Middle East Podcast, Leisa Grace is joined by trailblazing women leaders Hannah Wilson, Rebecca Annand, and Tracy Moxley to unpack what it really takes for women to rise to the top in educational leadership. As we gear up for the Women in Educational Leadership Conference at Heartland In...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how to navigate the world of international education while managing a busy family life abroad? In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Affley, Director of Ajman Academy, to uncover just that. Starting as a sports teacher in the UK, Patrick's journey to leading schools in the UAE is a story of passion, perseverance, and adaptability. We dive into his transition f...