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Send us Fan Mail We get brutally honest about why schools end up buying shiny devices first and only later realise they never agreed on what better learning should look like. We map out what a digital strategy actually is, who must own it, how to measure impact, and how to handle screen time and AI without losing the thinking. • why device-first decisions feel easy but fail learning • what a digital strategy must answer in plain terms • why SLT ownership matters more than any platform • how leadership culture shapes classroom tech use • the screen time swing and the passive vs active distinction • how parents and schools can set healthy device habits • auditing the “fruit bowl” of apps to remove duplication • measuring effectiveness through outcomes, observation and student voice • three immediate actions for leaders, including stopping spending • AI as “assistive intelligence” and keeping thinking central Download the Digital Strategy Toolkit here: https://linktr.ee/teachmiddleeast If you're listening to this before October 8th and 9th, then get your tickets because it's happening at DIP1, the Millennium Lakeview Hotel. https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Connect with Sabe here: Sabe Gnanam Educational Consultant - EdTech Division Apple Professional Learning Specialist Apple Distinguished Educator Tel:  +97148808882 Ext: 7148 [email protected] Building # 598-1163 Dubai Investments Park 1 (DIP 1) PO Box: 450722 United Arab Emirates www.allprints.ae Bio: Sabeshan (Sabe) Gnanam is an experienced education leader and EdTech consultant with a career spanning classroom teaching, digital transformation, curriculum innovation, and senior school leadership across New Zealand, Australia, and the UAE. As a former Deputy Principal at Victoria International School of Sharjah, he has led large-scale technology initiatives, curriculum innovation, professional learning, and the development of future-focused learning environments. Recognised by Apple as both an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) and Apple Professional Learning Specialist (APLS), Sabe has shared his expertise through professional learning, workshops and keynotes across the Gulf region and internationally. Today, as an Educational Consultant at All Prints, he works with schools and education partners to design sustainable digital strategies and professional learning experiences that turn technology investment into meaningful improvements in teaching and learning. At the heart of his work is a simple belief: technology should never be the destination - it should empower educators, inspire learners, and create possibilities that were not there before. The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail We talk with Phil Lupton about teacher-centred AI and why the real win is consistent, evidence-based coaching rather than flashy lesson generation. We explore how AI can strengthen professional judgement, protect teacher time, and create better conversations between teachers, coaches, and leaders. • the pedagogical gap in international schools and why shared language matters • how myths and habits shape classroom practice across different systems • evidence-based teaching foundations including memory, working memory, safety, and feedback • why unguided AI tools can reproduce bad ideas at scale • the risk of new teachers relying on AI without knowing what “good” looks like • what AI coaching analyses and what it should not judge • how video analysis can support richer instructional coaching conversations • psychological safety, trust, and leadership responsibility when recording lessons • the thinking behind Learnalize and scaling better practice across schools. Connect with Philip: www.elmeducation.org www.learnalyze.net https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDP6xAJN7Lg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-oKfKAFCXg www.linkedin.com/in/phil-lupton The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail We catch up with Alex on what it really takes to build a life and a career in the UAE, from culture and community to the less-talked-about pressures that can knock teachers off balance. We also get hands-on about AI in education, including how we use it to cut planning time while protecting student thinking and keeping classrooms human first.  Connect with Alex here: https://www.deepeducationnetwork.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergray84/ Download his apps here:  https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/family-jobs-chore-chart/id6806824839 audit.deepeducationnetwork.com deepeducationnetwork.com https://www.youtube.com/@deepeducationnetwork https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/duxa-tutors/id6757354523 • Moving abroad on a whim and why two years became ten  • Staying grounded in Dubai teaching life amid lifestyle pressure  • Using podcasts as practical CPD and why schools should make their own  • Overcoming fear of sharing online and choosing platforms wisely  • How AI becomes a daily teaching tool for ideation, feedback, and efficiency  • building an “EduOS” with trusted resources to reduce hallucinations  • designing lessons so students hold on to their thinking before using AI  • vibe coding and AI-assisted coding as a way to build useful tools  • low-cost “bring your own key” approaches to reduce edtech spend  • why in-person conferences matter for real classroom practice and networks  If you want to talk to Alex and see more of him, you have to come out to the AI and Education Summit. It's October 8th and 9th, and it's gonna be at the Lakeview, Millennium Lakeview Hotel, DIP1, Dubai. www.aiineducationsummit.com The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail Learn about the future of GEMS education in 2026 with Lisa Crausby OBE and Leisa Grace Wilson. Discover the strategic vision for learning. In this podcast session, we examine the upcoming initiatives shaping the direction of GEMS schools. Lisa Crausby OBE and Leisa Grace Wilson break down the core teaching models designed to enhance the classroom experience. By focusing on how we do things within the UAE education sector, the discussion highlights the importance of fostering trust between staff and leadership to drive student success. Listeners will gain insights into how these new frameworks prioritise professional development and the overall impact on learning outcomes. Whether you are an educator or a parent, understanding these shifts is a vital part of staying informed about the academic landscape. We explore the specific values that will guide these institutions as they prepare for the next phase of development. Subscribe for weekly educational leadership breakdowns, and comment below with your thoughts on these 2026 initiatives. The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail A higher salary abroad can hide a brutal truth: many international teachers quietly fall behind on retirement cash flow. We unpack why with former teacher and financial educator Andrew Hallam, author of The Millionaire Expat, Millionaire Teacher, and Balance. From missing defined-benefit pension years to overestimating what “saving” can do against inflation, we talk honestly about the risks expats in the UAE and the wider Middle East face and what to do before another year slips by. We get practical about retirement planning for expats: how to work backwards to your real number, how to factor in state pension or Social Security forecasts, and why there is no universal target that fits everyone.  Andrew explains how lifestyle creep and “expatitis” can sabotage even good intentions, and why tracking spending is the lowest-effort habit with the biggest payoff. Bio: Andrew Hallam is a financial author, educator and speaker who taught high school and middle school English, as well as Personal Finance.  We are helping Andrew raise funds for the Al Jalila Foundation as he cycles across Europe. Please donate here: https://www.hopasports.com/en/andrewhallam The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail Leisa Grace sits down with Nathan Burns, “Mr Metacognition”, to clarify what metacognition really is and why it improves attainment when it is taught deliberately and embedded across school life. We explore how leaders can move beyond vague “thinking about thinking” to build independent, resilient learners through curriculum, routines and staff development.  • Metacognition as planning, monitoring and evaluating learning  • Challenging information and checking ideas against prior knowledge  • Why research support is worldwide and linked to attainment  • Why teacher training and accountability can miss explicit metacognition  • Avoiding bolt on approaches and making it part of modelling, questioning and feedback  • What a metacognitive school looks like for all staff roles  • Designing staff training that starts with what is already working  • Evaluating impact at department or whole school level  • Using Perkins’ levels, surveys and stakeholder feedback carefully  • What gains schools see first in student resilience and better questions  “Drop Mr. Metacognition into any good search engine or pop Nathan Burns into social media, especially LinkedIn, um, and you will find me there.”  Purchase Nathan's Books here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Nathan-Burns/author/B0BQZ5N6FN?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail We talk with Adrianna Rose about teaching in Dubai, building a life in the UAE, and how content creation can help other teachers make an informed move. We compare UK and UAE schools, unpack day-to-day routines and wellbeing, and share honest thoughts on moving during uncertain news cycles.  • documenting UAE teacher life through content creation and why representation matters  • Abu Dhabi versus Dubai for lifestyle, pace, and choosing the right area  • settling in during COVID and how the first six months can feel  • key differences between UK schools and UAE private schools, including scale and expectations  • diversity in international schools and how it changes classroom experience  • a realistic day-to-day routine in Dubai, including early starts and planning time  • managing fear and pupil reassurance during regional conflict and shifts online  • advice for teachers holding an offer letter and weighing up the move  • Adriana’s book I Take Up Space Two and her long-term writing goals  • hobbies, friendship groups, wellbeing activities, and travel opportunities from Dubai  People, if you want to buy the book or connect with Adrianna, see below,   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatexpatteacher?igsh=MTExdmV2N2I2MTl5eQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Link to Adrinna's book: https://www.amazon.ae/I-Take-Up-Space-Too/dp/1917846819/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail 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 regulatory demands without letting them drive school values  • being held to account for inclusion, wellbeing and belonging  • permission and courage as the conditions for real change  • the “even if” clause as a test of priorities  • practical liberating data use through observation, conversation and products  • moving from deficit language to a strengths-based approach and student agency  They reach out to me via LinkedIn or they send me an email or they contact me via my website and we have a an initial conversation  Connect With Matthew Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonalisaeffect/ The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail 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 development with AI-supported platforms  • practical AI study workflows for older students, including rapid feedback  • supporting creativity and student agency through multiple modes of production  • redesigning homework around metacognition, choice, and reflection on prompts  • questioning whether high-stakes exams measure what matters and who they disadvantage  • moving beyond AI detection tools with drafts, dialogue, and targeted vivas  • prioritising process skills, communication, and pivotability for the world of work  • leadership creating time, resources, and psychological safety for research and change  Visit our website, teachmiddleeast.com, and follow us on social media. The links are in the show notes.  Get Stephanie's book at this link: Ebook: https://www.belgraviaeducation.co.uk/ai-for-learning-101-assessments Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/AI-Learning-Assessments-Unlocking-Mastery/dp/B0F3DH6KTP The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail 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 reduce conflict  • Staff resilience during uncertainty and what support actually helps  • Cohesion in leadership teams and aligning around shared direction  • Returning to school after disruption with wellbeing and emotional regulation  • Pushback on overhyped edtech and concerns about data and motives  • Protecting face-to-face learning and community as the core of schooling  Visit our website, teachmiddleeast.com, and follow us on social media. The links are in the show notes. The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail 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 and kids  • “control without controlling” through co-learning and daily check-ins  • classroom benefits like faster quizzes, differentiated materials and support with marking  • avoiding brain shortcut dependence by keeping routines and principles  • Why relationships matter when kids seek comfort from chatbots  • the age question after Covid and why exposure is unavoidable  Connect with Yasir Naveed Riaz on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasirnaveed/ The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail 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 and boundary setting • autonomy, fewer meetings, no after-hours email norm • wellbeing habits, family life, and modelling balance • AI’s coming shock to education and the human edge that remains The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail 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 literacy, events, soft skills • attention, wellbeing, and milestone-based motivation • role modelling and personalised interventions • how Lab of Future partners with schools and students If you want to get in touch with Lab of Future , click this link: https://www.laboffuture.com/ The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail 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 • Why multi‑curricula breadth led to Taaleem • growth via PPPs, charter and Dubai Schools • IPO with an education‑first mindset • values of care, respect, and inspiration guiding strategy • teacher retention, PD, and internal pathways • Harrow partnership built on authentic DNA • adapting heritage to UAE culture and policy • balancing core literacy and numeracy with AI • using technology to reduce teacher admin • personal rituals that keep leadership grounded The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/

Send us Fan Mail 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 observations as evidence • Instructional coaching over grading teachers • Smart uses of AI for planning and feedback Please hit subscribe Carl will be in the UAE for our Middle East School Leadership Conference on January 29th in Dubai at Al Habtoor Grand Hotel and Resort. www.schoolleadersme.com. Please do register at schoolleadersme.com The second annual AI in Education Summit will take place in Dubai on October 8-9, 2026. Click this link to register: https://aiineducationsummit.com/ Support the show 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. 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/