Featured School
Ajman Academy … Engage . Learn . Create
Dr Tassos Anastasiades , Director at Ajman Academy .
The United Arab Emirates is fast becoming a beacon of excellence in education in the region . Schools and education authorities are beginning to think outside the box , to ensure that their students are well equipped to function efficiently in a changing world .
The adoption of new education technologies and the employment of 21 st century teaching methods are being pioneered in schools all over the country . If you follow most mainstream media sources , you could be forgiven to think that this is only taking place in schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi . However , we have discovered that schools all across the country are breaking the mould and taking their teaching and learning to new and exciting levels .
From Sharjah to Ras al Khaimah , Ajman to Fujairah , there is a wealth of best practice happening in schools . These practices , when shared , are great in helping teachers throughout the Middle East and beyond , to become even more innovative inside the classroom .
Teach Middle East Magazine is delighted to unearth these gems , and to bring them to the attention of the wider education sector within the region and beyond .
Ajman Academy is one such school . Teachers and students in Ajman Academy strive harmoniously to achieve the best learning outcomes for their students .
It is said that a school is only as good as its teachers , and that a good school cannot have a bad leader . Ajman Academy is a great school with great teachers and leaders .
The school , under the leadership of Director Dr Tassos Anastasiades , focuses on educating the whole child . Special focus is given to academic excellence and developing students ’ independence , confidence and the ability to show tolerance and understanding to all .
Dr Tassos has held many distinguished leadership positions within the MENA education sector . With over 34 years of experience , he is acutely aware of what works in developing and maintaining an outstanding school .
The leadership at Ajman Academy not only recruits highly qualified and experienced staff , but also empowers their teachers to become leaders .
“ We empower our teachers ,” said Dr Tassos , “ they are trained to become Leaders of Learning , using the Inspire … 2 … Teach strategy and working very closely with Incyte consultants .”
Incyte is a proven methodology , which Dr Anastasiades has used for four years in a number of schools .
This involves the selection of four or five outstanding teachers , who have been identified to become ‘ Leaders of Learning ’. These teachers are able to identify what good learning looks like in the classroom and what the key ingredients are , that are essential in planning , to ensure this takes place .
“ It has been consistently recognised , that the quality of teaching and learning can only be improved over time , if all stakeholders ‘ buy in ’ to the concept of ‘ grass roots ’ improvement ,” Dr Tassos shared .
He cited the following points as key elements that can be used to accomplish consistency in effective teacher performance :
• Sustainable improvements begin to take place when teachers see the need to improve and are provided
30 | Jan - Feb 2017 | | Class Time