Teach Middle East Podcast

On this episode of the Teach Middle East Podcast, we are talking all things STEM with Suzanne Saraya from ExploreLearning. We discuss why STEM education is so important especially at his time. We talk about diversity in STEM and most importantly we discuss the upcoming STEM MENA Conference, Which is due to take place online on March 16-17. Register at www.stemmena.com
Suzanne Saraya is the international Sales Manager for ExploreLearning, a Math and Science online educational products provider for the K-12 market.
Suzanne’s education background is in Astrophysics and she has been involved with international markets from the beginning of her career in Canada when she joined International Publishing and Development. She worked with various governments in North Africa and South America to support their global presence. She is now a frequent speaker at Canadian and International educational conferences. Prior to joining ExploreLearning in 2015, she served for 5 years on the Board of Trustees for the International School of Charlottesville, in Virginia, USA.
About Explorelearning: https://www.explorelearning.com/
With Gizmos, Kids Get It.
Over 400 math and science Gizmos gives everyone something to graph, measure, and compare. Even predict and prove. That's hundreds of opportunities where students don't just act like scientists and mathematicians. They are.
Learn More about Teach Middle East Magazine
Teach Middle East Magazine is the premier magazine for educators and the entire education sector in the Middle East and beyond. Our vision is to equip educators with the materials and tools they need, to function optimally in and out of the classroom. We provide a space for educators to connect, find inspiration, resources and forums that are aimed at enhancing their teaching techniques, methodologies and personal development. We connect education suppliers and service providers to the people who make the buying decisions in schools. Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeachMiddleEastMagazine/

Teach Middle East Magazine is the premier platform for educators and the entire education sector in the Middle East and beyond. Our vision is to equip educators with the materials and tools they need, to function optimally in and out of the classroom. We provide a space for educators to connect and find inspiration, resources, and forums to enhance their teaching techniques, methodologies, and personal development. We connect education suppliers and service providers to the people who make the buying decisions in schools.

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

Connect with Leisa Grace:

Adapting and Thriving in the Digital Classroom With Philippa Wraithmell

Teach Middle East Podcast

07/01/24 • 45 min

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, acceptance, and happiness.

Philippa's move from the UK to the Middle East saw her transition from design technology teacher to Ed Tech leader, turning schools into digital learning hubs. She discusses the challenges and successes of achieving Apple Distinguished School status and how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital education. Philippa's story is about resilience, overcoming imposter syndrome, and her journey to becoming an independent consultant.
Learn how Edruption Education supports educators with digital strategies, parent workshops, and more, all aimed at effectively integrating technology into the educational landscape. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on innovation, courage, and the future of learning.
Connect with Philippa here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippa-wraithmell-59b07b107/
https://edruption.com

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

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What Most Schools Miss About Student Data With Mathew Savage

Teach Middle East Podcast

03/21/22 • 36 min

Mathew Savage is a former school leader who is on a mission to help schools transform the way they use student data.
In this episode of the Teach Middle East Podcast, Leisa Grace and Mathew discuss how schools can rethink the way they collect, present and use student data on a day to day basis.
Bio: Matthew loves data, and believes passionately in the need for a paradigm shift towards greater student agency and healthier student wellbeing. And he loves helping schools to join these dots – using student-level data to put #wellbeingfirst. With an MA in English Language and Literature from Oxford University, Matthew first spread his leadership wings in the UK state-maintained sector, before going global in 2010. Most recently Principal at an award-winning school in the Middle East, Matthew is now an internationally acclaimed educational consultant, providing bespoke training and consultancy to premium schools and groups across the globe, and an Associate Consultant with LSC Education, actively contributing to their leadership development and coaching programmes.
He has written and presented worldwide on #themonalisaeffect®, ensuring a ‘data triangle’ best meet the holistic needs of each individual student.
Whilst his clients herald from across the world, Matthew has enjoyed working with a number of premium schools in the Middle East in recent years. He has also acquired a global and impassioned voice on, and actively engages in critical conversations about, child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing, diversity and belonging, and is a member of the #deij team at ECIS. His first podcast series, The Data Conversation, launched to an international audience in June 2021.
Connect with Mathew:

You can read more about Matthew's work here: https://www.monalisaeffect.me/articles
To listen to The Data Conversation podcast, where Matthew curates the voices of data leads from across almost 30 international schools worldwide, visit: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-data-conversation/id1569168658
If you would like to explore the benefits of Matthew working with your school, please connect with him either on LinkedIn or at [email protected]

Teach Middle East Magazine is the premier magazine for educators and the entire education sector in the Middle East and beyond. Our vision is to equip educators with the material

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

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Why Your Moral Compass Matters More Than School Politics With Evelyn Forde MBE and Zoubiya Ahmed at MESLC2025

Teach Middle East Podcast

03/07/25 • 24 min

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 supportive networks and keeping your eye on long-term goals
• Return consistently to your school's vision and values when managing stakeholder demands
• Know which battles are worth fighting and where your ethical "red lines" are
• Recognize when it's time to step back from headship without abandoning your impact on education
• Use your wisdom and experience to influence education more broadly after direct leadership roles
• Remember that your moral compass matters more than institutional politics
• Always centre children in your decision-making—"We wouldn't have jobs if it wasn't for them"
If you're looking to develop your leadership capacity, focus on building relationships, clarify your personal and professional goals, and remember why we're all here—to provide the best possible future for the children in our care.

Guest hosted by Zoubiya Ahmed
Connect with Zoubiya at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoubiya/

Connect with Evelyn Forde here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelyn-forde-mbe-6a607218/

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

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Making The Leap From Deputy (Vice-principal) to Head (Principal) With Dr Jill Berry

Teach Middle East Podcast

09/26/21 • 63 min

Are you a Middle Leader who is looking to make the leap from deputy to head? Then this episode of the Teach Middle East Podcast is for you. In this episode, Leisa Grace talks with Dr Jill Berry who actually wrote the book on a subject. Making the Leap - Moving from Deputy to Head' (Crown House, 2016).
In this episode, we delve deep into what it takes to be a successful headteacher. We also look at why it is not the best role for everyone, and Jill offers her best tips on how headteachers who are new to the role can avoid some of the traps and pitfalls.
Bio:
Dr Jill Berry taught for 30 years, initially as a secondary English teacher. She has been a head of English, head of sixth form and deputy head and was a headteacher for ten years. Since 2010 she has completed a Professional Doctorate in Education, worked as an associate for the National College for Teaching and Leadership and carried out a range of leadership consultancy work.
Additional Resources:
Making the Leap - Moving from Deputy to Head' (Crown House, 2016): https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/making-the-leap

'Imperfect Leadership', Steven Munby (Crown House, 2019): https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/imperfect-leadership

'Putting Staff First', John Tomsett and Jonny Uttley (John Catt Ed, 2020): https://www.johncattbookshop.com/putting-staff-first

'The Unexpected Leader', Iesha Small (Crown House, 2019): https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/the-unexpected-leader

The four-week online 'Leading an Independent School course' (suitable for UK and overseas schools because basically asynchronous) - for aspiring Senior Leaders and Heads in the independent sector: www.leadinganindependentschool.wordpress.com

TEDx talk: 'Take a second look - bring out the best in yourself & others' (2019): https://www.ted.com/talks/jill_berry_take_a_second_look_bring_out_the_best_in_yourself_and_others

HMC and GSA courses for aspiring heads on Zoom/face to face: https://hmcpd.arlo.co/w/courses/524-preparing-for-headship-tuesday-9-november-2021/617; https://gsa.uk.com/even

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

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Leading Through Learning: Mark Ford's Journey from Yorkshire to Dubai

Teach Middle East Podcast

01/23/24 • 25 min

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 education is flourishing in the Middle East and peppered with tales of his own competitive spirit that once aimed for tennis stardom and rocked the music scene.
Feel the heartbeat of the English College, Dubai, where confidence blooms and community ties are as strong as the desert sun is bright. In our candid discussion, we uncover the secret ingredients that craft such a vibrant educational culture.
This episode is a mosaic of inspiration, gratitude, and the heartfelt community spirit that defines the English College. Join us and see what sets our haven of education apart in the bustling city of Dubai.

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

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Opening a New School in Dubai During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Teach Middle East Podcast

02/20/21 • 16 min

On this episode of the Teach Middle East Podcast, I speak with Dr Adrianna Chestnut, principal of Bright Learners Private School in Dubai. Bright learners school opened it’s doors to students at the start of the 2020 Academic year. Adrianna and I discuss what it is like to open a school in the midst of a pandemic, lessons learned and accomplishments along the way. We even touched on the topic of wellbeing for staff and students.

For more information about Bright Learners School, visit https://www.brightlearners.ae/
Dr Adrianna Joy Chestnut is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and the founding Principal of Bright Learners Private School in Dubai. She is focused on creating a school that welcomes the masses and strives to inspire and challenge young minds. Prior to accepting the role of Principal at Bright Learners Private School, Dr Chestnut had gained years of experience in the United States, as a turnaround and founding principal well as the UAE, having joined the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), lending her set of skills focused on school development and academic excellence. [email protected]

Learn More about Teach Middle East Magazine
Teach Middle East Magazine is the premier magazine for educators and the entire education sector in the Middle East and beyond. Our vision is to equip educators with the materials and tools they need, to function optimally in and out of the classroom. We provide a space for educators to connect, find inspiration, resources and forums that are aimed at enhancing their teaching techniques, methodologies and personal development. We connect education suppliers and service providers to the people who make the buying decisions in schools. Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeachMiddleEastMagazine/

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

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School Life In Saudi Arabia During and After The Pandemic With Helen Olds

Teach Middle East Podcast

04/26/22 • 39 min

We speak with Helen Olds, the British International School Riyadh principal, about what life is like in schools after the pandemic. We also look back at what life was like in Saudi Arabia during the lockdown. This is a great episode to help us compare notes from one GCC country to another.
Helen has 18 years of experience working in leadership positions in international schools in Asia and the Middle East, and she is currently the Principal of the British International School Riyadh. Her experience spans the 3-18 age range, including start-up schools/campuses through to the growth and development of well-established international schools. She has experience in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, including single campus and multi-campus models. Her curriculum experience includes the English National Curriculum, the International Primary / Middle Years Curriculum, (I) GCSEs, AS / A Level and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Renaissance sponsors the Teach Middle East Podcast.
To learn more about how Renaissance can help your students with their literacy and numeracy development, click this link https://intl.renaissance.com/.
Teach Middle East Magazine is the premier magazine for educators and the entire education sector in the Middle East and beyond. Our vision is to equip educators with the materials and tools they need, to function optimally in and out of the classroom. We provide a space for educators to connect and find inspiration, resources, and forums to enhance their teaching techniques, methodologies, and personal development. We connect education suppliers and service providers to the people who make the buying decisions in schools. Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmiddleeast/
Hosted by Leisa Grace Wilson
Connect with Leisa Grace:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leisagrace
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leisagrace/

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

Connect with Leisa Grace:

A Fresh Perspective on Teaching and Learning With Clemmie Stewart

Teach Middle East Podcast

08/27/23 • 29 min

Clemmie Stewart, a seasoned educator and the Executive Principal at Beech Hall School, Riyadh, joins Leisa Grace on the Teach Middle East Podcast to talk about how to shake up traditional teaching and learning as we enter a new academic year. They stir the pot, traversing the delicate terrain between conventional and cutting-edge learning techniques while emphasising the critical importance of a fundamental knowledge base for efficient classroom technology use. Clemmie proposes how to introduce technology as early as kindergarten but in a safe way!
The conversation does not stop at challenging the standard education protocol; it takes a step further by questioning the conventional definition of success. They've got you covered on digital literacy, mental health, and the art of teaching students 'how to learn' instead of 'what to learn'. They top it off by discussing the empowerment and development of teachers. An episode packed with insights. You don't want to miss out!
Teach Middle East Magazine is the premier platform for educators and the entire education sector in the Middle East and beyond. Our vision is to equip educators with the materials and tools they need to function optimally in and out of the classroom. We provide a space for educators to connect and find inspiration, resources, and forums to enhance their teaching techniques, methodologies, and personal development. We connect education suppliers and service providers to the people who make the buying decisions in schools.

Visit our website: https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast

Connect with Leisa Grace:

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

Connect with Leisa Grace:

A Better Way of Doing Lesson Observations:Trust-Based Observations With Craig Randall

Teach Middle East Podcast

05/09/22 • 42 min

Most teachers have anxiety around lesson observations. What causes this anxiety? Is there a better way? In this podcast episode, we speak with Craig Randall, author of the book Trust-Based Observations, on what he believes is a better way to conduct lesson observations.
Craig Randall is the author of Trust-Based Observations. His experience as a counsellor, coach, teacher, and principal at schools in the US and overseas led him to develop and then write, Trust-Based Observations, a model of observation and evaluation focused on building trusting relationships that spark teacher risk-taking and innovation and results in teaching and learning growth. Currently, Craig consults and trains schools on the Trust-Based Observations.

Website: trustbased.com

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @TrustbasedCraig

LinkedIn: @TrustbasedCraig

Renaissance sponsors the Teach Middle East Podcast.
To learn more about how Renaissance can help your students with their literacy and numeracy development, click this link
https://intl.renaissance.com/.
Teach Middle East Magazine is the premier magazine for educators and the entire education sector in the Middle East and beyond. Our vision is to equip educators with the materials and tools they need, to function optimally in and out of the classroom. We provide a space for educators to connect and find inspiration, resources, and forums to enhance their teaching techniques, methodologies, and personal development. We connect education suppliers and service providers to the people who make the buying decisions in schools. Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.
Tweet us: https://twitter.com/teachmiddleeast
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmiddleeast/.
Hosted by Leisa Grace Wilson
Connect with Leisa Grace:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leisagrace
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leisagrace/

Visit our website https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast.

Connect with Leisa Grace: