Teach Middle East Podcast

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Matthew and Leisa Grace explore what it means to truly see students as whole people, not just as attainment points on a dashboard. Matthew Savage helps us rethink data and assessment as relational knowledge that supports equity, belonging and wellbeing. 

• the equity problem behind performative data cultures 
• the Mona Lisa Effect as what personalised learning should feel like 
• how conformity and “being weird” shapes students’ school experience 
• assessment as the process of getting to know another human being 
• making space for uncertainty and co-discovery with students 
• meeting regulato...

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We talk with Stephanie Holt about using AI in schools in ways that genuinely improve learning, from early years self-regulation to GCSE revision and teacher planning. We argue for purposeful screen use, better homework design, fairer assessment, and a school culture where curiosity and research are safe. 
• introducing AI early with supervised, age-appropriate routines 
• using tools like Alexa to support self-regulation and emotional language 
• balancing school device use with unregulated screen time at home 
• challenging the idea of screen-free schools as a blanket solution 
• improving lesson planning and teacher develop...

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We talk with Neal Oates, Principal of Star International School in Mirdif, Dubai, about leading with kindness while still holding the line on standards. 

We explore how resilient school teams are built long before a crisis, and why human connection matters more than any tool. 

• Neal’s route into education from industry and why fulfilment matters 
• Growing into leadership in the UAE through visibility, impact and persistence 
• Kindness as a non-negotiable leadership value 
• Trust as the foundation for high-performing teams 
• Accountability with kindness and why clear expectations...

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We talk with Yasser Naveed about the growing AI divide between students and the adults meant to guide them, and why the real danger is not AI but ungoverned use. We share clear guardrails for home and school, so children gain the benefits of AI without losing trust, judgment, or independence.

• AI as a “Ferrari with no brakes” when there is no governance 
• hallucinations, false confidence and the need to verify outputs 
• data privacy risks, scams and deepfakes hitting families 
• the new divide between teachers and students, plus parents an...

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We trace Mike Gilmour’s journey from Cape Town to Dubai, unpack how apartheid shaped his lens on inclusion, and dig into the daily mechanics of building a healthy school culture. We also explore AI’s pressure on old models and the human work that must endure.

• early life in South Africa and university lessons on diversity
• path from nonprofit sport to teaching and leadership
• international moves, Singapore to Dubai, and why each mattered
• What makes Dubai American Academy distinctive
• leadership strengths: communication, organisation, presence
• practical culture builders...

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We explore what a 2040 job market means for schools, teachers, and teens, and why AI will force a reinvention of curriculum, space, and pedagogy. Practical steps help educators shift from content delivery to coaching human judgment, collaboration, and focus.

• Why 2040 serves as a clear planning horizon
• AI ubiquity across roles and daily life
• gaps between industry needs and school delivery
• makerspaces over classrooms for hands-on work
• teacher role shifting to mentor and orchestrator
• jobs likely to fade and new roles emerging
• four habits for teens: reading, tech...

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We trace Alan’s path from rugby pitches and the Boys’ Brigade to classroom leadership and, later, stewarding one of the UAE’s fastest‑growing school groups. Along the way, we unpack Taaleem’s values, retention wins, Harrow’s authentic arrival in the UAE, and a balanced take on basics and AI.

• Sport as a gateway to confidence and academic lift
• relationships as the fourth R in teaching
• shift from military ambition to classroom service
• early career in languages and humanities
• move to the UAE and founding leadership at King’s

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We unpack what actually drives learning, why engagement is a poor proxy for understanding, and how to align curriculum, instruction, and assessment for long-term memory. Carl Hendrick challenges fads, makes a case for explicit instruction and retrieval, and explores where AI can help without doubling the workload.

• Defining learning as change in long-term memory
• Why learning styles and similar fads fail
• Curriculum as the primary lever for improvement
• Explicit instruction before independent tasks
• retrieval practice that targets hinge knowledge
• Aligning curriculum, instruction, assessment
• Limits of lesson observa...

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What happens when school moves from vague ideas about “reimagining” to the nuts and bolts of design? We sit down with Russell John Cailey, founder of Elham Studio and former, to map a practical path from traditional classrooms to living, place-based learning that actually works. From 90s Manchester to Hiroshima, Boston, and Botswana, Russell shares the hard-won lessons that turned curiosity into a curriculum architecture schools can implement now.

We break down a simple but demanding blueprint: start with clear competences and learning objectives, run a transparent design cycle that students can...

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We talk with Jeremy Newton, director of schools at the British International School Riyadh, about leading seven campuses during Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation and how a non-profit British model adapts to local needs and Vision 2030. We explore AI in the curriculum, enrichment that prepares students for an uncertain future, and the school’s unexpected cameo on the Riyadh Monopoly board.

• Jeremy’s path from East London to Riyadh
• Life and opportunity in Riyadh for families
• Vision 2030 as a practical guide for schools
• Non-profit identity and community service
• Balancin...

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We meet Richard Drew, principal of Jumeira Baccalaureate School, and trace his path from sporty Nottingham kid and clarinettist to long-serving IB headteacher in Dubai. He shares why character, inclusion, and patient culture-building stay at the heart of JBS.

• shifting from football to rugby and the habits sport builds
• why learning an instrument strengthens patience and focus
• choosing a BEd in PE and finding purpose in teaching
• early rugby career, injury and lessons in resilience
• Australia exchange and the haves vs have-nots divide
• UAE PPP years, translators...

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We trace a candid journey from Wall Street to Riyadh, exploring how a family‑owned school group opened Saudi Arabia’s first international Reggio‑inspired preschool and a trilingual K‑12, while building bridges between global classrooms and responsible AI. Practical stories mix with philosophy, policy, and culture to show how human‑centred schools grow in a fast‑changing Kingdom.

• why Saudi Arabia’s education landscape is changing fast
• government support and the super licence pathway
• hiring leadership across Singapore, the UK and the UAE
• clearing resources, translations and curriculum approvals

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We explore how a flexible online and hybrid model supports anxious and neurodivergent learners, elite athletes, and mobile families, while helping schools expand subject options without new hires. Hugh Viney shares a student’s journey from school refusal to Oxford and outlines a GCC hub for trips, meetups, and community.

• Why some students thrive outside traditional classrooms
• Asynchronous and live teaching blend that boosts engagement
• Mentoring, community, clubs, trips, and regional meetups
• Attendance gains for emotionally based school avoidance
• Practical signs leaders can spot for alternative pathways
• Neurod...

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We sit down with Dubai College headmaster Tomas Duckling to explore how a top school stays kind, rigorous, and human. From Watford roots and boarding school leadership to distributed decision-making and no emails after hours, Tom shares how he protects culture while moving forward.

• DC’s calm culture, high standards, and strict boundaries on after-hours email
• From Brunei and Switzerland to Dubai: lessons from boarding and international schools
• Reputation, demand for places, and misconceptions 
• Transitioning from deputy to head: decision-making and accountability
• Trusted autonomy and distributed leadership to grow futur...

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Salma and Leisa explore how to build classrooms in the UAE where every student feels seen and valued, and where local culture is integrated alongside global learning. Practical steps, candid reflections on bias, and clear guidance on using AI as a co-creator make this a toolkit for real change.

• agreeing on a shared definition of culturally responsive practice
• recognising and reflecting on bias through confidential prompts
• creating learner profiles to understand language, history, and needs
• auditing libraries and curricula for representation and local relevance
• balancing Emirati identity with globa...

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What does it take to rise from teaching assistant to Director of Education? In this candid conversation, Nikki Williams shares her remarkable journey through international education to her current role leading Taleem's educational vision across multiple schools and curricula.

Born into a nomadic life across Southeast Asia and the Middle East due to her father's career in oil and gas, Williams confesses she was never a model student. "Frankly, I couldn't have imagined any profession less likely to be on my CV than education," she reveals with refreshing honesty. Yet this...

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Dan Fitzpatrick returns to discuss the rapid evolution of AI in education since our last conversation in 2023, exploring how generative AI has moved from simple text-based tools to diverse applications creating music, videos, software and more. We examine the complex balance between embracing AI's educational potential while addressing growing concerns about safety, screen time, and the future of work.

• AI now speaks our language, making it more accessible than previous technologies
• Teachers already possess the core skills needed to leverage AI effectively
• Silicon Valley tech leaders often send their childr...

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Rosemary Campbell-Stevens, veteran educator and decolonisation advocate, shares her journey from the Investing in Diversity programme to her current work reimagining education systems worldwide through a decolonial lens.

• How the "Investing in Diversity" programme transformed leadership for global majority educators from 2003-2011
• The powerful shift from identifying as "ethnic minority" to embracing "global majority" identity
• Growing up in a "nationalistic Jamaican household" that fostered pride and global consciousness
• Why DEI initiatives often fail to create meaningful change in international schools
• The colonial roots of education systems designed to produce...

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Nick Hart, Principal of Horizon English School in Dubai, shares his journey from aspiring footballer to educational leader and unpacks how school leadership must evolve beyond industrial models to embrace complexity and meaningful interactions.

• Nick's unconventional path to education began with a sports science degree and a semi-professional football career
• Horizon English School ranks among Dubai's top schools with exceptional academic achievement combined with happy children and staff
• Educational blogging became Nick's tool for clarifying thoughts and self-accountability in leadership
• Leadership has evolved from industrial "command and control" models t...

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Barry Cooper, founding principal of The Global College in Madrid, explores what educators should prioritise in the new academic year, with particular focus on navigating AI challenges and fostering critical thinking.

• Barry's journey from considering priesthood to banking to finding his true calling in education
• The Global College's vision of internationalism with at least 50% overseas students
• Their innovative entrepreneurship program in partnership with IE University
• Why AI is the "big ticket item" for educators this year
• The four principles for healthy AI use: understanding AI, understanding the topic, usi...

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Artificial intelligence is reshaping education, but are school leaders ready to guide this transformation? Veteran educator Ann Palmer, with over 35 years of leadership experience, shares her journey from headteacher to AI advocate, revealing a striking contrast between the UK's cautious approach and the Middle East's enthusiastic embrace of educational technology. 

After recognising how time-strapped administrators struggle with strategic tech integration, Palmer wrote her book on AI leadership and uncovers a surprising trend of "covert AI use" amongst UK school leaders who quietly experiment with AI tools but hesitate to discuss them o...

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Bloom World Academy in Dubai has implemented a pioneering AI qualification program, reflecting their innovative approach to education while maintaining a balance between technology and traditional values.

• School starts at 9 AM rather than earlier, respecting students' sleep needs and family time
• Offers flexible schedules (8 AM-5 PM) with optional enrichment activities
• Creates a family-first environment with spaces for parents to work and socialise
• Uses Learning Achievement Passports for customised learning plans for every student
• Implements "stage not age" grouping based on ability rather than strictly by age
• Partners wit...

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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 the first woman in her family to pursue higher education, choosing teaching as a career path that promised stability while fulfilling her passion for learning.

Sue's leadership journey spans continents and cultures. From her early teaching days in England's diverse...

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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 journalism through education in Canada and the US before joining CNN and Vice News
• Experiencing severe burnout after working on over 100 documentaries in three years
• Founding Reset after recognising the high cost and limited accessibility of thera...

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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 coaching provides school leaders with something essential yet often missing: a safe space to reflect honestly, celebrate successes, and work through challenges with someone genuinely invested in their development. "Don't teachers deserve to work for a leader...

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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 identification of dyslexia is possible from ages 3-5 through universal screeners
• Dyslexic learners have significant strengths including empathy, creativity, and innovative thinking
• Schools need teachers trained in structured literacy and multisensory instruction techniques
• Research-b...

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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" and "thank you"
• Developed ESCA pedagogy (Exploring, Sharing, Connecting, Affecting, Innovating) to promote self-directed learning
• Balances top-down direction with bottom-up empowerment to maintain vision while honouring professional creativity
• Distinguishes between temporary compliance-driven improvemen...

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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 father at age 33 after years of separation created a profound "sliding doors" moment in his life
• Career progression from classroom teacher to principal happened through seizing opportunities and being prepared for unexpected advancement
• Building authentic relation...

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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...

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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/

- Transitioning from corporate to education leadership 
- The necessity of taking breaks in a leadership role 
- Finding a balance between short-term tasks and long-term goals 
- The power of de...

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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 in personal and professional growth
• Understanding the concept of collective legacy
• Common barriers preventing leaders from seeking coaching
• Importance of reflection and self-belief in leadership
• Practical advice for leaders on integrating coaching into their d...

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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 students.

- Exploring the theme of safeguarding as a fundamental aspect of education
- Building relationships and trust between educators and students
- The role of empowering educators in promoting effective safeguarding practices
- Addressing the challenges...

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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/

• Overview of conference themes and keynote insights 
• Emphasis on the necessity for enhancing teacher expertise 
• Discussion of the inadequate time allotted for professional development 
• Argument for finding time for co...

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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 personal journey with dyslexia, ADHD, and dyscalculia 
• The impact of neurodiversity on teaching practices 
• The necessity of supportive school cultures and leadership 
• The role of parents in advocating for neurodiversity 
• Insights on the strengths neurodiverse educators bring t...

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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 researcher informs Rob’s approach 
• Emphasising the role of professional development in educational settings 
• Identifying barriers to the implementation of evidence-based practices 
• The significance of behaviour change in educational environments 
• Measurement as a tool for growth rathe...

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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.

• Introduction to the guest, Sylvie Wald, and her role at ADEK
• Overview of the policy-making process and its emphasis on collaboration
• Discussion on the new focus on student well-being in the policies
• Cultural considerations taken into acc...

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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 pharmacy to teaching 
• Experiences in civil service and fraud investigation 
• The impact of international teaching 
• Leadership philosophy centred on student enjoyment 
• Building a supportive school culture for staff and students 
• Unique aspects of boarding life at Rep...

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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 path, including her transition during COVID-19 and facing profound loss, while discussing the future of education in an AI-driven world. She shares insights on balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship and her vision for...

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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, where he thrives in a culturally rich environment.

We explore the art of leadership, from building genuine connections with staff and students to navigating challenges like implementing a dual-language...

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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 the well-being of both students and staff. Katrina offers practical insights on balancing innovation with stability, from embracing AI to fostering gratitude, while sharing actionable strategies for educational leaders navigating today's rapidly evolving landscape.

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