#AlwaysLearning: The ICS Community's Collaboration for Better Education

At ICS, our community is #alwayslearning.

Throughout mid October, the entire ICS community and beyond have been coming together continuously for special events aimed at maximizing the ICS educational experience. Three world-leading experts have been on campus to work with ICS teachers, students, parents, as well as visiting teachers and administrators from schools throughout Africa and the UAE, on specialized topics.

The calendar of targeted community learning events is a demonstration of our school’s dedication to innovation in teaching and learning, the valuable partnership between home and school, and ICS’ vision of being our best with Africa and the world.

“At ICS, we are committed to future-focused learning for our students, teachers, and parents, as well as our local and global communities,” Head of School Earl Chamberlin said. “Alongside ICS families, we are engaged in continuous reflection and learning to ensure our teaching practices allow us to offer the impactful, innovative, and personalized experiences we know our students need to achieve success now and in their future beyond the classroom.”

In the last two weeks, the school has welcomed Dr. Anthony Muhammad, a leading voice in helping schools achieve educational equity and excellence. We have also had teacher and parent workshops with conceptual learning expert and best-selling author Julie Stern, as well as Anne van Damm, a global leader in early years education, learning spaces, leadership, and student agency. ICS teachers have also been leading specialized workshops for their colleagues throughout the week to facilitate exchange of expertise among our own faculty and visiting conference participants.

A key element of the ICS philosophy is to create learning opportunities for all. This extends to involvement with our parent community, who we know plays a key role in the educational success of their children. It is also the reason for inviting teachers and administrators from schools in Addis Ababa, the rest of Africa, and the world to take part.

“ICS believes that learning shouldn’t have boundaries, and it involves every one of us including teachers, parents, local and global communities,” Seble Genet, ICS Professional Learning Manager, said. “ICS encourages and supports purposeful and powerful opportunities that refine practice, lead to growth, and enhance student learning. One of the most valuable forms of Professional Learning is the collaboration that takes place among our extended networks.”