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Presenters

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Kari Stubbs
Vice President of 21st Century Learning at BrainPOP

A poised speaker, Dr. Kari Stubbs has extensive experience in education. Dr. Kari Stubbs is the Vice President of 21st Century Learning at BrainPOP, a leading developer of online, curriculum-based content. BrainPOP hosts more than 6 million visits to its web sites each month, from thousands of schools worldwide. Previously, she was the Director of Professional Development for ePals, the world’s largest K12 learning network. She was the senior project coordinator of the Title IID initiative in Kansas from 2004-2007. In November, 2006 she was recognized by the National School Boards Association as one of “20 to Watch” rising leaders in the field of educational technology. She is also a recipient of the Making it Happen Award, and was the National Teacher Training Institute Teacher of the Year in 1997. Earning her PhD in Curriculum with a technology emphasis following 11 years in the classroom has given her perspective on the role of technology in learning from multiple angles. Her doctoral thesis at the University of Kansas focused on the use of technology in program design in preservice programs. Kari studied emerging technology trends as part of her doctoral work, and most recently served on the advisory board for the Horizon K12 Report on predicted technologies, trends, and challenges in K12 education. In December of 2008, Dr. Kari Stubbs traveled to China to study technology in education. Her career highlights include presentations at international conferences, such as The Consortium for School Networking, International Society for Technology in Education, National School Boards Association Technology and Learning, Educational Computing Organization of Ontario, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education.

Trainers

Dr. Sonia Ben Jaafar

Sonia Ben Jaafar is an education and evaluation consultant. She supports educational improvement and effectiveness in North America, the UK, the Middle East, and Africa. Dr. Ben Jaafar supports policy and programs for education systems using applied research and evaluation. Her work consistently involves an embedded capacity building component to ensure sustainable changes for local educators and policymakers. Dr. Ben Jaafar’s work focuses on classroom and large-scale assessment, accountability, educational reform and evidence-informed decision making. She has supported schools, school districts, ministries of education, NGOs and private organizations in making education more effective and achieving sustainable results. In addition to her consulting work, Dr. Ben Jaafar has published in several peer reviewed journals, educational magazines and educational books. She has also delivered many presentations and workshops around the world. Sonia Ben Jaafar holds a Ph.D. in Education Administration and an M.A. in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning from the University of Toronto. She also holds a B.Ed. specialized in science education and a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of British Columbia. Dr. Ben Jaafar harmonizes the knowledge and skills she acquired from her formal studies with those she gained in the classroom. This combination ensures all her work is rooted in the daily reality of fostering student learning.

Nibal Hamdan Barq

Nibal Hamdan Barq worked as chemistry teacher and Science Coordinator at Greenfield College in Beirut, Lebanon, before being appointed Academic Director. She majored in Nutrition and later obtained a Master’s degree in Sciences with honors from the American University of Beirut.

Her educational philosophy stems from her belief that there is a growing gap between today's students who are addicted to technology and traditional textbook-loving teachers. This philosophy is greatly reflected in the articles that she has written and in the presentations and workshops she has delivered. Nibal Hamdan has prepared Science Manuals and composed many Science songs for school and television. Her belief that no subject is too difficult when delivered in song, games and stories encouraged her to work as a Science advisor and writer for children's programmes at Future Television, Lebanon. She has written and produced many documentaries, one of which, "The Cry of the Mediterranean" received the international prize "Tapis D'Or" at the Tunisia International Festival for Environmental Documentaries. She is dedicated to all environmental issues and has worked with many ecological groups such as Green Line, Greenpeace and Operation Big Blue among others. She is committed to introducing and integrating environmental, health and nutrition topics into the curriculum.

Dr. Denise Donica

Denise Donica, Doctor of Health Science, OTR/L, BCP is an Assistant Professor at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, USA. Prior to this appointment she taught adjunct at University of Indianapolis and Indiana University. Dr. Donica earned her Doctor of Health Science in December 2007 and her Master of Health Science in May 2005 from the University of Indianapolis. Her bachelor's degree in occupational therapy is from Indiana University in 1999. She also holds another bachelor's degree from Indiana University in psychology and criminal justice that she completed in 1997. Dr. Donica's focus of clinical practice as an occupational therapist has been with the pediatric population including school-based service. She is Level 1 certified in Handwriting Without Tears® and is currently a consultant and national workshop presenter for Handwriting Without Tears®. She has also earned the Board Certification in Pediatrics designation through the American Occupational Therapy Association. She has worked with children individually and within small group settings and has conducted handwriting research on children from low-income backgrounds. Dr. Donica has completed a historical study on the development of handwriting instruction over time and is currently involved in a pre-school study looking at the effectiveness of the Handwriting Without Tears Pre-K program. She has just completed a survey of North Carolina elementary teachers about their education on handwriting instruction as well as their handwriting instruction practices in the classroom. Her passion is examining handwriting instruction of children and assisting them to be successful with school tasks. Handwriting is a primary foundational skill expected of children, but not often taught to the developing child.

Janet Evans

is a Senior Lecturer in Education at Liverpool Hope University and part time freelance Literacy and Educational Consultant. Formerly an Early Years and primary school teacher, she also completed a two year secondment as Literacy Consultant with The National Literacy Strategy. She has written nine books on language, literacy and maths education for Early Years, Key Stage 1 and 2 educators along with articles on literacy and mathematics education and chapters in edited books. She has reviewed books, videos and course materials for schools and has given consultancy advice on new literacy and Early Years/Key Stage 1 mathematics materials. Janet has taught in India, Nigeria, Australia, America, Canada, Chile and Spain and was awarded two research scholarships which enabled her to work and study in the USA. She has presented papers at many international conferences along with organising and teaching on numerous in-service conferences. Janet still manages to find time to work in schools doing action-based research with young children and their educators. Janet is currently doing freelance consultancy two days each week and often works with children and teachers in school as well as speaking at conferences.

Angela Maiers

Angela is proud of her 20-year career in education, especially the years she spent as a classroom teacher. She is currently working as an independent consultant dedicated and committed to helping Departments of Education, schools, districts, and teachers reach their goals in literacy and literacy education. She spends her time teaching, researching, writing, speaking, and conducting seminars across the country. Her work is featured in the National Research Council Yearbook, multiple professional journals, and most recently in Urban Schools Most Promising Practices, published by the International Reading Association. Angela's current work -- Classroom Habitudes (2009) -- is quickly gaining acclaim in the classrooms and in online conversations.

Dr. Kate Shuster

Dr. Kate Shuster is the director of the Middle School Public Debate Program (MSPDP) at Claremont McKenna College, the world’s largest debating program for young students. She is the coach of the U.S. national high school debate team and the author of ten books on debating and critical thinking instruction. In addition to working as a trainer and program development consultant for QatarDebate, she is currently involved in an initiative to assist the development of Arabic language debating across the Middle East. Dr. Shuster holds a Ph.D. in Educational Studies from Claremont Graduate University and actively researches in areas including program evaluation, curricular innovation, and after school program design.

Jocelyn Wallace

Jocelyn Wallace is thrilled to be a part of the merging conversation between the worlds of education, business, technology and design. As owner of Red Eleven Group, LLC her new blogsite at www.jocelynwallace.com focuses on visual thinking strategies in and out of the classroom. When speaking and writing, she contributes her 14 years of experience working for large corporations like Gateway Computers and The Principal Financial Group, encouraging what she coins as "visual translation" where it is least expected. Wallace specializes in graphic facilitation & strategic visioning, video composing & digital story creation, and design & content development for print & e-books -- all of which boldly transform her teaching style. And she shows you how you can do it too. The design philosophies and fundamentals she employs are primarily from her pre-graduate studies at the Iowa State University College of Design. She also holds an additional degree in sign language interpreting, and works as a cultural liaison and sign language interpreter in college classrooms, video relay and large speaking events.

Patrick Beyrouti

Patrick brings more than 15 years of experience in teaching and administrative roles in universities like McGill Canada, Concordia and more recently in the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE. His entrepreneurial skills within education in curriculum development as well as his innovative style in teaching and interest in learners have been an asset to him.  Currently working for Arab Business Machine the Apple Authorised distributor in the Middle-east, he hold the position of Education Manager for the Middle-east and is responsible for implementing Apple's strategy in the education sector.

نبيلة علي الميرزا

نبيلة علي الميرزا مدرسة منذ ثماني سنوات، حائزة على بكالوريوس في التربية والعلوم عام 1991 وعلى دبلوم في الإدارة المدرسية عام 2001، عملت كمساعدة مديرة مدّة أربع سنوات، وكمديرة مدرسة لفترة ست سنوات، وهي تشغل حالياً منصب مديرة إدارة التطوير والتنمية المهنية. من أهم أعمالها في الإطار التربوي، البرنامج الإلكتروني الذي صمّمته للتنمية المهنية للمعلمين.

شاركت في العديد من المؤتمرات والمشاريع في أكثر من دولة عربية وأجنبية، منها مؤتمر التعليم في تركيا عام 2008، مؤتمر ناشفيل في الولايات المتحدة الأميركية عام 2007، مشروع سلم التدرج الوظيفي لكل من مدير المدرسة والمعلم والموجه عام 2009، مشروع تدريب وتطوير المعلمين والموجهين 2009 والعديد من اللقاءات والمقابلات الأخرى. قامت السيدة الميرزا بتحضير وتنفيذ العديد من ورش العمل في الإمارات العربية المتحدة، أبرزها تلك التي أعدّتها عام 2007 بعنوان صحف التفكر وعام 2006 بعنوان التخطيط الإستراتيجي في مكتب الشارقة التعليمي. حائزة على جائزة خليفة بن زايد للمعلم عن بحثها التربوي " تفاعل المدرسة مع المجتمع وأثر ذلك في تطوير العمل التربوي"، وعلى جائزة خليفة للتميز التربوي. للسيدة الميرزا عدة أبحاث ودراسات أبرزها ما نشرته وزارة التربية والتعليم عامي 2006 و2007 بعنوان " اتجاهات بعض عناصر العملية التعليمية نحو اختبار قياس القدرة ( السيبا )" و " مدى كفاية برامج التنمية المهنية للمعلمين" والعديد من المنشورات والدراسات الأخرى

مازن الشّيخ-

رأس قسم اللّغة العربيّة في مدرسة الجالية الأميركيّة في بيروت

درّس اللّغة العربيّة للعرب والأجانب في مدارس وجامعات عديدة في لبنان وسلطنة عمان

(IB)عضو في اللّجنة الفاحصة لامتحانات شهادة البكالوريا الدّوليّة

عضو سابق في لجنة الاستشارات العربيّة في مجلس المدارس الأميركيّة في الشّرق الأدنى وجنوب آسيا

متمتخصّص في وضع مناهج اللّغة العربيّة وتقييمها

قدّم ورشات عمل لمعلّمي اللّغة العربيّة في مؤتمرات عدّة في العالم العربيّ

كتب مقالات عديدة حول قضايا اللّغة العربيّة والهويّة العربيّة

مؤلّف برنامج لتعليم "الخليجيّة المحكيّة" للأجانب

أشرف على تقييم قسم اللّغات العالميّة في المدرسة الأميركيّة الدّوليّة في مسقط

عادل الضبع

يعمل مديرًا لقسم اللغات العالمية بالكلية الأمريكية بالقاهرة. ويشتمل عمله على التخطيط والإدراة لكل ما يتعلق باللغات الإسبانية والفرنسية والعربية من مرحلة الروضة وحتى مرحلة ما قبل الجامعة. عمل مذيعًا في الفضائية المصرية بعد تخرجه ، ثم انتقل إلى حقل التدريس حيث درس في بعض جامعات الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية . أكمل دراسته العليا في تدريس اللغة العربية للأجانب. يعمل مستشارًا لبعض المعاهد الدولية والبرنامج التلفزيوني عالم سمسم. كتب عددًا من الأبحاث اللغوية وأصدر بعض القصص القصيرة والمسرحيات. هذا الصيف سيتولى تدريب حشد من مدرسى اللغة العربية في جامعة برجام يونج فييوتا.

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