Teach Middle East Magazine Jan - Apr 2021 Issue 2 Volume 8 | Page 22

Featured School

AL ITTIHAD PRIVATE SCHOOL AL MAMZAR : A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS DISRUPTING TRADITIONAL EDUCATION

for their children to participate in an education that prepares them for life and immerses them in their God given Emirati culture .
The inception of Al Ittihad Private School Al Mamzar , which was over 40 years ago , was a visionary and courageous step taken by the founders . The founders were in tune with the spirit of this great nation as they dared to dream big . The school continues to strive to live up to the vision of the founders through a commitment to positive religious , social , emotional and academic outcomes .
“ Tell me and I forget , show me and I remember , involve me and I understand ”
Xun Kuang ( Xunzi )

Schools form the backbone of any good community . In fact , many communities rely on its schools for much more than teaching and learning . They look to their schools to promote a learning culture that lasts long after graduation . They depend on schools to help in weaving the very fabric of society , contributing to the social and personal development of everyone who walks through their doors .

In this issue of Teach Middle East Magazine , we highlight the work of the dedicated staff and students at Al Ittihad Private School Al Mamzar ( IPS-M ). The school prides itself on providing the perfect combination of academic excellence and strong values .
Al Ittihad Private School Al Mamzar is an American Curriculum school , underpinned by Emirati Culture , Character and Philosophy … IPS-M is unique ! They work towards preserving the local culture and heritage and instilling core Islamic values in their learners . Whilst keeping their religious values intact , they prepare their students to meet the needs and challenges of the modern world with high competency , confidence and competitive skills .
IPS Mamzar offers an American curriculum , following US Common Core standards , and adapted to be culturally responsive to the Emirati culture and Islamic tradition . IPS-M is a fully inclusive learning community , they firmly believe that every member of the community has a distinctive voice , purpose , and gift . The concept of tolerance is embedded in their daily lives as they live their Islamic religion within the context of all that they do . Hence , they have developed special bonds with all of their families , who understand the school ’ s uniqueness and see the school as an extension of family life .
With 40 + years of experience , innovation and passion in education , they are proud of their legacy and heritage . They foster opportunities
Learning Communities , Teams , Collaborative Learning and Agile Scrum
Xunzi ’ s thought has never been so pertinent ...
To understand a Professional Learning Community Culture that is underpinned by Agile thinking and action , at IPS-M they ensure that all their decisions and thinking are supported by sound research and literature … hence , as they embarked upon this foundational change , this change itself needed to be informed by an understanding of the changing nature of leadership , its definition and its application in the school .
Duignan and Bezzina ( 2006 ) express the notion that a shift in the meaning of leadership as it pertains to schools is required . This shift is needed to encourage an organisational culture that … promotes , nurtures and supports leadership . Further , they
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Term 2 Jan - Mar 2021 Class Time