Teach Middle East Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, we welcome Mark Leppard MBE back as he shares his transformative leadership journey.  Mark delves into how the pandemic reshaped his outlook on life and work, fostering a deeper sense of empathy, tolerance, and the importance of self-care.  He reflects on the profound impact of meaningful interactions with students, emphasising the importance of legacy...

Send us Fan Mail Sit back and join us for an inspiring discussion with Justin Reynolds, the principal of Dubai American Academy. You'll hear about the pivotal moments that shaped his career, from his mother's teaching legacy to his early involvement in drug prevention programs. Justin takes us through his transition from teaching to administration, and the exhilarating experience of open...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an engaging discussion with Philippa Wraithmell, founder of Edruption Education. From a teenager in Nottingham to a trailblazer in educational technology, Philippa's journey is remarkable. She shares how her father's inclusive values and her mother's mental health struggles influenced her approach to motherhood and career, emphasizing kindness, acceptanc...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to navigate the path from apartheid-era South Africa to becoming a school leader in UAE education? Join us as we sit down with Hazel Govender, Principal of GEMS Cambridge International School in Abu Dhabi. Hazel shares her compelling journey, revealing the motivations that brought her to Abu Dhabi in 2015, including the quest for financial stability and a safer e...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Albie Huyser, the new principal of GEMS Founders School in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. Albie shares her inspiring journey from rural South Africa to becoming a prominent educational leader in the UAE. She discusses her global teaching career, including her impactful tenure in the UK and the hurdles and triumphs along the way. Leadership, as Albie sees it, is about relationships,...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how to truly empower teachers in an ever-evolving educational landscape? Join Leisa Grace Wilson on the Teach Middle East podcast as she sits down with Matt Tiplin, Vice President at ONVU Learning. In this compelling episode, they uncover key strategies for continuous teacher development that align with both personal and professional aspirations, creating a...

Send us Fan Mail What if your true passion was hiding in plain sight, waiting for a spark to ignite it? Join us as we sit down with Dr. Neil Hopkin, a school leader whose journey from Nottingham to Dubai is filled with laughter, wisdom, and transformative experiences. Discover how Dr. Neil's career in microelectronics took a surprising turn towards education, influenced by his inspirational f...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we explore the experiences of Joanna Povall, the TES Principal of the Year 2024, who shares her story of resilience and determination. Joanna recounts her unexpected career shift and the key moments that shaped her path, from managing challenging behaviours in Manchester to leading Wales International School in Abu Dhabi. Her motto, "never, ever, ever give up,&quot...

Send us Fan Mail Leisa Grace is joined by Hayley Lamb, Vice Principal of Ranches Primary School in Dubai and a well-being and performance coach. Together, they explore crucial aspects of educator welfare and discuss strategies for creating a supportive school environment. Hayley brings her unique perspective as a school leader and coach, highlighting the importance of understanding nonverbal cues...

Send us Fan Mail Discover how to make tech integration meaningful in education with our latest episode, featuring edtech enthusiast Al Kingsley in his second appearance on the Teach Middle East Podcast. We'll uncover practical ways to use technology to improve learning and genuinely support teachers. As the CEO of NetSupport, Al shares valuable insights on finding the right balance with techn...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an enlightening conversation with Tom Sherrington, a trailblazer in school leadership and teacher development. From his early days teaching physics and maths, Tom discusses how he became a thought leader. The episode dives into the transformative impact of his blog, TeacherHead, which has opened unexpected doors and enriched his teaching philosophy. Tom shares insights...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Teach Middle East Podcast, host Leisa Grace sits down with Fiona Cottam, the principal of Hartland International School. They reminisce about the Middle East School Leadership Conference and delve into Fiona's journey into school leadership. The discussion also touches on the resilience and challenges faced along the way, reflecting Fiona's persona...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast episode, we talk with Dr. Steffen Sommer, Director General of Misk Schools in Saudi Arabia, about his journey from working in the automotive industry to leading in education in the Middle East.  He shares his experience with Misk Schools, a project initiated by the Saudi Crown Prince to combine international educational standards with Saudi cultural values. Dr. Som...

Send us Fan Mail Join Jenny Mollon in this podcast episode as we examine classroom design and how it can improve student engagement. We also discuss the impact of layout and atmosphere on learning and emotional well-being and the transformation of classrooms from traditional learning environments to spaces that develop adaptable skills for future careers. Jenny provides insights into creating envi...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered if smaller class sizes always translate to better learning? In this episode, we challenge that assumption with our guest, Prof Dr Ger Graus OBE, a seasoned educator and educational advisor. Ger brings a wealth of experience from traditional and non-traditional learning environments, and he's here to shed light on the benefits of larger classrooms. This...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we get to know Chandini Misra, the principal of Repton Al-Barsha, and hear about her journey from India to leading a school in Dubai. Starting as a science lover and becoming a journalist, Chandini eventually found her calling in education. Her story shows how following your passion can lead to making a real difference in students' lives. In this episode, we also d...

Send us Fan Mail Grab a cup of your favourite beverage and join us for a heartfelt conversation with Hannah Wilson, the inspiring mind behind DiverseEd. This episode is tailor-made for school leaders eager to navigate the complexities of educational leadership with authenticity and resilience. Hannah opens up about the power of inclusivity, the journey from WomenEd to DiverseEd, and the critical r...

Send us Fan Mail Every educator has a story, but few are as riveting as the narrative Matthew Burfield, Principal of GEMS Founders School, Dubai, and Senior Vice President of GEMS Education, shares with us. From his humble beginnings in Norfolk to the corridors of leadership in one of Dubai's most prestigious schools, Matthew's journey is a testament to resilience and vision. As he unvei...

Send us Fan Mail This enlightening episode explores Nargish Khambatta's remarkable journey from a quaint Indian town to leading Dubai's Gems Modern Academy. Her deep-rooted passion for learning and dedicated pursuit of 'Ikigai' – where profession meets passion – forms the crux of our conversation. Nargish shares her experiences of adapting to life in Dubai, her rise to educatio...

Send us Fan Mail From the windswept moors of Yorkshire to the sun-kissed sands of Dubai, Mark Ford's journey as a principal is as extraordinary as it is enlightening. Please pull up a chair alongside Leisa Grace as we traverse Mark's fascinating voyage through the world of education and leadership in our Behind the Principal's Desk series.  His story is filled with insights on how e...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is an invitation to educators to question the status quo and envision a schooling experience that embraces competency-based learning, dismisses outdated structures, and designs spaces that inspire creativity and cater to student preferences. Eric doesn't shy away from the tough questions about the reality of our educational practices and the need for vulnerabilit...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like math was an insurmountable mountain, no matter how hard you tried to scale it? Vibeke Gwendoline Fængsrud, masterful mathematician and educator, joins us on the Teach Middle East Podcast to recount her incredible transformation from math struggler to passionate teacher and how she now helps others conquer their maths fears. Through our engaging conversation...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you combine a love for sports, a passion for education, and an unwavering commitment to integrity and honesty? You get a fascinating conversation with Simon O'Connor, the principal of Deira International School in Dubai. This episode peels back the layers of Simon, taking you on a journey from his early days teaching in rural Zimbabwe to his current vision f...

Send us Fan Mail What if we told you that the future of education lies in a radical departure from the traditional curriculum? This episode takes you on a journey through the innovative ideas of Meena Wood, an experienced school leader, author, and inspector, who challenges the status quo and envisions a future where curriculum puts students and their individual needs at the centre. We dissect cru...

Send us Fan Mail We are thrilled to bring you an intimate conversation with Steve Giles, the principal of Raffles International School in Dubai. Come along as he takes us on a journey through his life, sharing his profound love for the UAE and its people and giving us a glimpse into his personal and professional world. From his beginnings at a school in Al Ain to his current leadership role at Raf...