Teach Middle East Podcast

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. Sommer discusses his career shift, the role of...

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 environments that support both individual concentration a...

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 episode goes beyond the simple notion of &q...

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 dive into our shared interests in podcasts, music, and...

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 role of staff well-being in fostering a thri...

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 unveils the layers of his professional ascent and the dri...

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 educational leadership, and the guiding principles of h...

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 ...

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 vulnerability and frankness in assessing and serving the needs o...

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, we dissect the critical importance of a solid math...

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 for schools. We discuss his passion for education, hi...

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 crucial issues such as the disconnect between what stud...

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 Raffles, we discover what makes Steve an exceptional ed...

Get ready to be inspired as we kick off this episode with the effervescent principal of Glendale School in Dubai, Jasmit Kaur Kang. Join us on a journey from Liverpool to Dubai, delving into Jasmit's morning routines, her penchant for travel, and her love for 80s music. We'll also sip a cup of our favourite beverages together and embark on some fun quick-fire rounds that reveal a thing or two about Jasmit's fears.

Discover the transformative power of STEM and STEAM education and how it is shaping our future as we engage in an enlightening conversation with our guest Annam Arif, the head of ICT and Innovation Technology at English Language Private School in Dubai. Through an insightful tour of what a robust STEM curriculum looks like, Annam takes us beyond the world of robotics, demonstrating an interdisciplinary approach that fosters deep th...

Get ready for an enlightening journey as we sit down with the captivating Michelle Jackson, a seasoned educator with an insatiable wanderlust. Michelle shares her transformative experiences, moving from the United States to immerse herself in the rich Emirati culture in Al Ain, UAE. She speaks to the joys and trials of being an educator abroad and gives us a peek into the warm and welcoming community she helped foster. Her life in ...

Jan Taylor, an accomplished education consultant and former school leader, shares her wisdom with us. This episode is a treasure trove of advice on how to strike a work-life balance, the significance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, and the often-overlooked aspect of self-care for educators. Jan, with her rich experience, challenges the convention of an always open-door policy, advocating instead for a balanced approac...

Get ready to be truly inspired as we sit down with the globally acclaimed advocate for inclusive education, Daniel Sobel. From his personal struggles in school to his significant contributions to the field of inclusive education, Daniel's journey is nothing short of remarkable. We delve into the fascinating world of inclusive classrooms, discussing how to meet each student's unique needs and foster a sense of belonging an...

Imagine a future where students are not just ardent learners of mathematics but are also expert problem solvers. That's what Asma Akhras, an experienced implementation leader for a curriculum nonprofit company, brings to our podcast table today. We delve into the disheartening cycle of math anxiety, and the root causes of the math struggles that our students face today - the lack of appreciation for math as a holistic body of ...