Empowering School Leaders and Teachers: Recap of Our Inspiring Schools Workshop
Today we marked an exciting milestone in our ongoing commitment to enhancing education through our Inspiring Schools project. In collaboration with Inspiring Teachers International and supported by the IDP Foundation, we conducted a comprehensive training workshop for our network of low-feed private schools, comprising three Sandbox schools and eleven Testbed schools. This initiative is part of our broader mission to empower educators and improve learning outcomes across our partner schools. The workshop was centred around leveraging technology and pedagogical strategies to optimize school management and teaching effectiveness. Here’s a snapshot of what took place during this enriching event:
SmartCoach App Integration
Participants were introduced to the innovative features of the SmartCoach App, a powerful tool designed to streamline school operations. Each school updated their profiles, staff, and student enrollment data through the app. Additionally, they successfully submitted records of their weekly coaching meetings, ensuring comprehensive tracking of progress and areas of improvement.
Preview of Upcoming SmartCoach Features
Excitement filled the room as schools were briefed on forthcoming features of the SmartCoach App. Anticipated functionalities include an Attendance Tracker and a program for assessing literacy initiatives. These enhancements promise to further empower educators in monitoring and enhancing student engagement and academic performance.
Leadership Development Strategies
To strengthen school leadership, our Testbed schools went into three key teaching strategies: explaining with clarity, demonstrating through modelling, and guiding practice to proficiency. These strategies encompass nine distinct techniques to optimise Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings over the upcoming nine weeks.
Our Sandbox schools received training on three essential strategies for understanding: promoting critical thinking through dialogue, effective questioning and error correction, and leveraging data to monitor learning progress. These techniques equip school leaders with the tools necessary to facilitate engaging and effective PLC sessions among their staff.
Literacy Program Training
Furthermore, teachers specializing in Basic Schools (BS 1 & 2) underwent specialized literacy training. This segment of the workshop targeted 24 school leaders and 12 literacy educators, equipping them with advanced methodologies and tools to enhance literacy instruction within their respective schools. Today’s workshop was a testament to our commitment to continuous improvement and capacity-building within our educational community. By harnessing technology, fostering effective teaching strategies, and nurturing leadership skills, we aim to cultivate a vibrant learning environment that benefits both educators and students alike.
We extend our gratitude to Inspiring Teachers International and the IDP Foundation for their invaluable partnership and support in making this initiative possible. Together, we look forward to furthering our mission of transforming education and inspiring brighter futures through innovative and collaborative efforts.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to embark on this inspiring journey of educational excellence!