Education might be fraught with challenges. But from challenging times emerge some of the best opportunities for innovation and creativity.
We’ve designed this conference specially to showcase some of the most exciting and cutting edge trends happening in education right now. Prepare to be inspired, shaken and stirred
Whatever your interest in brilliant teaching, whether you’re:
- a facilitator keen to learn the best teaching methods available;
- a teacher looking for inspiration;
- a change agent committed to the future of our youth or
- a parent who accepts that education is a community responsibility
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from the most inspired and inspiring teachers around.
Agenda:
Keynote: Why poor schools do well
Why do some schools in severely disadvantaged communities excel in their academics compared to most schools in these areas? This talk will outline the basic ingredients required for effective schools – beyond material resources.
Professor Jonathan D. Jansen, is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State where he has earned a formidable reputation for transformation. He is an educationalist and a former Dean of Education at the University of Pretoria with countless degrees and awards to his name. His most recent book is Great South African Teachers: A Tribute to SA’s great teachers from the people whose lives they have changed.
Keynote: The Classroom of the Future
Moving rapidly from the Industrial Revolution to a new Digital Age. Can you see a difference in your school? Gavin Keller, Father, Teacher, Principal, educational consultant, will model the new 21st century classroom.
Gavin Keller is the Principal and CEO of Sun Valley Group of Schools. He is passionate about education and firmly believes that if the first seven years are dynamic, a child will develop all the necessary skills, concepts and attitudes and values necessary for success in life. “School is the place where we develop life-long learners!”
Keynote: So what is your teaching philosophy?
Although technological advances have made the world exciting and more connected it also appears that humanity is poised on a dangerous precipice. This brief presentation will look at the sometimes overlooked need to be philosophical and engage deeply with the moral heart inherent in teaching.
Meg Fargher holds a Master’s Degree in English and taught English for a number of years before becoming Head of St Mary’s School for 9 years. In addition to her writing and research, Meg consults and facilitates in the Educational and Mediation fields and sits on a number of Educational and Charitable Trusts.
Panel Discussion: Innovation in Education: the rewards of Creativity in the Classroom
What are some of the most important trends we need to bear in mind to make our schools dynamic, more collaborative learning environments in a digital age?
Dr. Dorothy Ndletyana Head: Learning & Talent at the FirstRand Corporate Centre where she leads the Learning and Talent Centre of Excellence and is also accountable for FirstRand Group’s Leadership Development. Dorothy holds a Fulbright Scholarship-sponsored Doctorate from Columbia University in New York in Adult & Organizational Learning and Leadership. She also has a Bachelors and Masters Degree from Wits University in Adult Education.
Colin Northmore Principal Sacred Heart College. Prior to this he has worked in suburb, township, peri-urban and farm schools in programs aimed at improving the quality of teaching and learning and training of management. Colin has a Masters degree in Education from Wits University where he concentrated on pupil behaviour management. Colin has a passion for restorative justice in schools and works to achieve a situation where children are able to develop social responsibility.
John Ballam has an M. Phil in Applied Business Ethics and has been an award-winning teacher, deputy principal and principal. He is currently the National Academic Developer for Varsity College responsible for academic development on 8 national campuses.
Panel Discussion: What Gaming can Teach us about Learning
What are some of the elements of gaming which make it such a rich source of engagement? Join gamers of different ages and life stages as we unpack how gaming teaches students to fail better (and other surprising benefits).
Adam Edelstein is a Grade 11 pupil at King David Victory Park. A keen gamer, he claimed from an early age that video games were improving his leadership skills. His theory was vindicated when an article about gaming and leadership appeared in the Harvard Business Review. He made his debut on to the speaking circuit at the WiredWomen Conference last year. “Adam’s insights around gaming are impressive – hard to believe he’s in high school!” Pippa Tshabalala presenter of The Verge and PlayR, SA’s only gaming television shows.
Andre Odendaal is currently a Software Developer and Consultant for a large corporate development house after following his life’s dream as an Associate Producer for a mobile game development company. He has a Masters in Software Engineering and is a hobbyist game designer and developer making video games as well as board and card games.
Sizwe Nxumalo is studying for his Bachelor of Economic Science Honours at Wits and is on the board of education based social networking initiative Enke. He is also project director for the Phumlani Nkontwana Foundation (PNF) which supports and fast-tracks under-resourced public schools that have a history of a high matric pass rate. Named by M&G as one of the Top 200 Young People to take to lunch in 2011, Sizwe was an avid gamer at school.
Panel Discussion: The Classroom of the Future: How Technology is changing the face of education
Nothing can replace inspired, excellent quality teaching. But there are some great news tools for making the process more fun and interactive.
PANEL CHAIR: Arthur Goldstuck is a writer, analyst and commentator on Internet, mobile and business technologies. He heads the World Wide Worx research organisation, leading market research into hi-tech change. Arthur is author of 18 books, including six books on urban legends. He is publisher and editor-in-chief of Gadget magazine at www.gadget.co.za and writes on tech topics for a variety of publications of both high and low repute.
Michelle Lissoos, MD of Think Ahead Solutions, specialises in the integration of technology into the education sector. A key offering is iSchoolAfrica, which aims to bring the best available education technology and practices to schools, making Mac technology accessible to a broader range of schools.
Helen Robertson graduated from the Cape Peninsular University of Technology with a Bachelor of Education in 2005. She recently won first place for Cutting Edge Use of Technology in the Microsoft Innovative Teachers Forum competition for her use of cellphones within the Mathematics classroom. Helen is passionate about quality Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy education.
Robyn Clark teaches high school Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy at Sekolo sa Borokgo, a small independent school in Randburg, Johannesburg. She is passionate about education in South Africa and is especially interested in the accessibility of Maths education. She is currently studying towards her MSc in mathematics education at the University of Witwatersrand and makes active use of a wide range of technology in the classroom.
Keynote: Be an Active Citizen in Education: an important role for parents and the wider community
Gillian Godsell holds a BA from Wits and a PhD from Boston University and currently lectures at the Wits Graduate School of Public and Development Management. She chairs the Wits Council of Education, is a past chair of the Governing Body of Parktown High School for Girls and in 2011 authored a short biography of Helen Suzman in the school history series They Fought for Freedom.
Chair: Inspired Teachers Conference
Debby Edelstein, passionate host of exciting conversations, facilitator, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of QualityLife Company, has discovered that collaborative learning is by far the most fun way to learn. This is one of the reasons why she hosts conversations whenever she identifies social problems that require creative solutions. Her ongoing commitment to teaching leadership development as well as the education of her two children helped her to identify teaching as the next area in which she felt compelled to host QualityLIfe’s most recent conversation: The Inspired Teachers Conference.
COST: Corporate SA: R2000, Teachers, NGO’s: R500 (all excl vat)
13 Comments on "Inspired Teachers Conference"
Dear Sir/Madam, I am interested in attending your workshop on the 1st of March. Just one concern are men welcome to attend?
Kind Regards
Definitely males are attending. All educators/teachers/lecturers, anybody who is involved in the space must join us. Men have booked already.
Please send application form and pro forma invoice for one teacher in order for Head office to process my application.
Thank you
Dear Debbie
I have just come across your website and am very excited reading about the wonderful work you do.
I definitely want to attend your teachers conference, but would also like to invite you to advertise it on my EDU-COMMUNITY on the Classmart website. You register, create a profile and put all the details on.
I think all teachers should be aware of this.
Regards
Karin
Just wild about this sort of conference!!!!!!!!
I have seen too many teachers turned into toast by the system – I was one of them – then they leave – some never to go back into education, it’s tragic.
There is so much that can be done to manage this and keep educators succulent human beings that kids want to, not have to, hang out with…….
High five to Quality Life for getting to pour some soul juice back into teaching!
Thanks for your comments everyone:-) Karin we’d love to list on your community. John we’ve been overwhelmed by the response to our first tentative foray into this space. Clearly a conversation whose time has come. So looking forward!
Hi,
Cant attend this year – but love the idea of a better education that is more FUN!
Heard about this school this week:http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201202/play-time/uh-oha-school-where-kids-can-play-all-day Hope the article inspires someone at the conference
Cheers
Sam
Hello
Do you maybe plan to do a conference like this in Caoe Town?
Regards
Charlotte
hopefully next year we will be in a position to bring it to CT – it’s on our radar for sure.
Hi
I am a teacher at Vega and would like to register for the conference on the 1st.
Thanks
hi
unfortunately we’re now full and have had to close off bookings. i’ll keep in touch for next year.
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