UAE IB Association Conference 2025

Forming Alliance, Extending Capabilities

Welcome to the UAE IB School Association

We are proud to announce the reintroduction of the UAE IB School Association, now re-established as an independent body with the support of the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Originally part of the MENA region association, the UAE IB Association was officially formed in 2023, marking a new chapter for collaboration and professional growth among educators across the UAE.

We connect educators to share best practices, attend impactful events, and enhance teaching and learning across IB schools.

Representation from the IB organization

Gain insights directly from IB representatives.

60+ Interactive Workshops

Covering a wide range of topics tailored for teachers and educational leaders.

Innovative Exhibits

Explore products and services designed to enhance teaching and learning.

A Word from Mr. Richard Drew

“This conference is more than just a professional development event—it’s an opportunity to network, share best practices, and strengthen the ties that connect our dynamic IB community in the UAE.We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be an inspiring and successful event!”

Conference Schedule

08:00 - 8:30 AM - Arrival and Registration
08:30 AM - Welcome in Auditorium
09:00 – 9:45 AM - Keynote Speaker – Dr Zaid Azzam
09:45 – 10:00 AM - Break
10:00 – 10:55 AM - Session 1
11:00 – 11:55 AM - Session 2
12:00 – 01.00 PM - Lunch Break
01:00 – 01:55 PM - Session 3
02:05 – 03:00 PM - Session 4
03:00 – 03:30 PM - Closing Ceremony

Why Attend?

Connect with fellow IB educators and leaders
Gain valuable insights into IB curriculum advancements
Learn from industry experts and education pioneers
Discover cutting-edge teaching tools and resources
Participate in dynamic discussions and interactive sessions

Workshops TOPICS & SPEAKERS

We are accepting only the first 25 members for each workshop topic.

Speaker Name	Session Topic	Curriculum Programs	Location
Gurbinder Mander	Using AI to Promote Student Agency in Lessons	DP	C204
Wafaa Fouad Ahmed	Connecting Language to the World: Using UDL and ATL to Embed Global Contexts in Arabic Learning	MYP	C205
Nora Elkady	Quality Assessment Instruction and Feedback	MYP	C206
Khaled Aboelwafa Abdelhafez	Introduction to Teaching Arabic B in the International Baccalaureate (SL as an Example)	DP	C207
Raef Mahmoud	Preparing for Success: Teacher Strategies for MYP Arabic B eAssessment	MYP	C208
Aoife Abushaqra	Think TOK: Elevating Reflection and Inquiry across the DP	DP	C209
Whitney Edmondson	The Importance of Authentic Assessments	MYP	C203
Nemah Abdulaziz	Artificial Intelligence In Arabic Classroom	PYP	E221
Patricia Vargas	Agency-Driven Assessment: Enriching Learning Environments	PYP	E203
Janae Johnson	Daily 5 in Action: A Framework for Differentiated Literacy	PYP	E215
Amy Fenton	Bigger, Better Brains	E.Y.	E209
Dr. Joelle Filfili	Empowering Young Learners: Fostering Agency and Authenticity through the Reggio Emilia Approach	E.Y.	E207
Alecia Kirby, Alison Wighton and Ashley Brosnan	Igniting Collaboration: Bringing Transdisciplinary Learning to Life in the PYP	PYP	E204
Michael Brady	Developing Approaches to Learning through Math Problem-Solving	PYP	E214
Angela Barnes and Mindri Pretorious	Little Innovators: The Power of STEAM in Early Years Education	E.Y.	E210
Pascal Ashkar	Rethinking the IB Evaluation Process for Growth and Excellence		E220
	EY & PYP Session with EY & PYP Team	E.Y. & PYP	The Hub (B107)
Dina Khalaf	IB Session for interested schools: Learn about the International Baccalaureate (IB)		Training Room (B-107A)
	Free Networking session

Speaker Name	Session Topic	Curriculum Programs	Location
Sara Shamseldin	Gamification in MYP Science	MYP	C204
Eman Mostafa	Teaching and Learning	MYP; DP	C205
James Graham	Beyond Evolution: Bridging the Gap Between Student Struggles and a Fast-Paced World	MYP; DP	C207
Hegazy Mohammed Mahmoud Gadelmawla	Arabic eAssessment Strategies	MYP	C208
Tara Manson	Strategies for Teaching Conceptual Understanding in MYP Mathematics	MYP	C209
Faridah Merchant	Positive Behaviour Support and Emotional Regulation in Inclusive Setting	CP	C203
Ali Ezzeddine	From Concepts to Conceptual Understanding	PYP; E.Y.	E221
Vaanya Alwani and Angela Roberts	Igniting Curiosity: Designing Provocations to Spark Inquiry	PYP	E203
Wafaa Khattab	How Can AI Transform Arabic Language Learning?	PYP	E215
Nemah Abdulaziz	Differentiation in Arabic Lessons	PYP	E209
Maged Ibrahim	Enhancing PYP Arabic Skills through Data-Driven Insights	PYP	E207
Sanja Vicevic Ivanovic, Brenda Coughlan, Dima Assaf, Radhika D'Rozario, Marley Greene and Nivin Mankarios	Conducting Action Research to Enhance Student Wellbeing	PYP	E219
Darren Robinson	STEAM – More Than Just a Subject: A Robust and Benchmarked Curriculum	PYP	E217
Maximiliano Castillo and Dane Henegan	Maths beyond Borders: Building Transdisciplinary Bridges	PYP	E204
Marie McDermott	The Power of Imaginative Writing	PYP	E214
Aidan Monaghan	Nourishing Minds: Promoting Wellbeing through Nutrition in PYP Classroom	PYP	E210
Jacobus de Leeuw	Transdisciplinary Learning in STEAM: Student Engagement through Problem-Based Learning	PYP; E.Y.	Innovation Space
	MYP Session with Association MYP team	MYP	The Hub (B107)
Dina Khalaf	IB Session for interested schools: Learn about the International Baccalaureate (IB)		Training Room (B-107A)
	Free Networking session

Speaker Name	Session Topic	Curriculum Programs	Location
Nadine Baki	Innovative Pathways: STREAM Integration for Future-Ready IB Learners	MYP; DP	C204
Vibha Masand	Balancing Academic Rigor and Student Wellbeing: A Strategic Two-Year Plan	DP; CP	C205
Jordan Fleming	Teaching and Learning in Maths	MYP; DP	C206
Farah Mahmoud	Transforming Learning with Digital Innovation and the SAMR Framework	MYP; DP; CP	C207
Shehla Abbasi and Mahek Ajwani	AI in Mathematics: Enhancing Problem-Solving and Personalized Learning in IB MYP and IB DP	MYP; DP	C208
Padraig Gaughan	Bridging STEAM and IB: Fostering Inquiry, Critical Thinking and Creativity in Design Technolog	MYP; DP	C209
Mohamed Essam Eldin Amin	DP - Arabic Language and Literature Workshop	DP	C203
Ruchika Sachdev	Embedding UDL Practices in the Learning	PYP;MYP	E221
Anne Hobbeling	Documenting Inquiry Learning	E.Y.; PYP	E203
Sarah Amin Mohamed El Meligy	Bridging Excellence: Aligning IB Practices and Standards with the UAE Inspection Framework for Effective Lesson Observations	PYP; MYP; DP	E215
Talia Lazarus	Teaching and Learning	E.Y.; PYP	E209
Leanda Kelly	Teaching Essential Learning Skills for Young Learners	E.Y.; PYP	E207
Dalal Mourad	Supporting EALs inside Your Classroom	E.Y.; PYP	E219
Fatma Elzahraa Mahmoud	The 5 Essential Elements	E.Y.; PYP	E204
Habiba Jaballah	Fostering Student Agency in the Era of AI: Empowering IB Learners for a Digital Future	E.Y.; PYP	E214
Shams Al Ghali	Integrating SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) into the IB Curriculum	PYP; MYP	E210
Kendra Cantrell	Computational Thinking across the Curriculum	PYP; E.Y.	Innovation Space
	DP/CP session with Association DP/CP team	DP; CP	The Hub (B107)
	Leadership Session with Association Leaders		Training Room (B107A)
	Free Networking session

Speaker Name	Session Topic	Curriculum Programs	Location
Muhammad Hassanin	Boosting Language Acquisition with Video-Based Learning	E.Y.;PYP;MYP;DP	C204
Juliette van Eerdewijk	Translanguaging and Developing Conceptual Understanding	E.Y.;PYP;MYP;DP;CP	C205
Rasha Elsayed	Mastering Team Dynamics for Lasting Impact	E.Y.;PYP;MYP;DP;CP	C206
Rhys Higgins	IB Evaluation: Prepared, Not Scared	E.Y.;PYP;MYP;DP	C207
Khaled Farag	Data-Driven Transformation: A New Paradigm for Leaders to Shift the Arabic and Islamic Teaching and Learning	E.Y.;PYP;MYP;DP	C208
Anthony Loxston-Baker	The Power of Professional Learning Communities: Leveraging Collective Teacher Efficacy to Enhance Teaching and Learning	E.Y.;PYP;MYP;DP;CP	C209
Maged Abdallah	Principles of Leading an IB Education	E.Y.;PYP;MYP;DP;CP	C203
Neha Siddiqui	Enhancing First Quality Teaching through Strategic Digital Tools Integration	MYP; DP	C202
Khalid Mahmoud	Integrating STEAM in the IB Classroom: Fostering Innovation and Inquiry	MYP; PYP	E221
Helen Wallis and Emma Hannon	Coaching for Professional Growth: Using the IB Learner Profile to Support Professional Development	EDUC. LEADERSHIP ; ALL TEACHERS/LEADERS	E203
Fiorella Marie Sadowski	Boosting Engagement, Inclusion and Data-Driven Success with Edpuzzle and Genial.ly	PYP; MYP; DP	E215
Hala Sweilem	Nurturing Global Citizens: Fostering International-Mindedness in the Classroom	E.Y.; PYP;MYP	E209
Pilar Astorga	From Goals to Growth: Developing the IB Learner Profile through Purposeful Success Criteria	E.Y.; PYP	E207
Hala Trabolsi	Metacognition in Language Learning	E.Y.;PYP;MYP;DP;CP	E219
Isaacs Able Nyondo	Cultivating the Discourse of Effective Learning	PYP; MYP; DP	E217
Shaimaa Karara	Developing Concept-Based Learning	E.Y.; PYP	E204
Bahaa Eltahawy	Using AI in Education: Creativity Without Limits	E.Y.; PYP; MYP	E214
Amina Daroueche	Bilingualism	E.Y.; PYP	E210
Elvin Aliyev	Integrating Robotics and Coding into the Unit of Inquiry: A Hands-On Approach	E.Y.; PYP	Innovation Space
	PYP & EY Session with Association PYP & EY team	PYP;EY	The Hub (B107)
	Free Networking session

*Please note that workshops are booked on a first come first served basis, and are subject to available slots. Please ensure you book ALL workshops that you wish to attend, to secure your place.

If a Speaker is absent, you will be notified and able to choose another workshop or networking opportunity should you wish to attend an alternative option

General Networking

Beyond the enriching professional development sessions, this conference provides invaluable networking opportunities. Connect with fellow IB educators from across the UAE, fostering collaboration and the exchange of best practices. This is your chance to build relationships, share experiences, and strengthen the vibrant IB community within the UAE.