Webinar: Creating a Thriving School: Empowering Teachers & Students for Wellbeing by GESS Education

Creating a Thriving School: Empowering Teachers & Students for Wellbeing

About

A positive school environment is key to success for both teachers and students. Explore practical strategies to foster wellbeing, from building strong relationships and managing workloads, to creating a supportive classroom culture and integrating mindfulness practices. Learn how to cultivate a space where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

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Presenters

GESS Education

Tracy Moxley

Executive Director of Schools - New Century

Tracy Moxley is a skilled educational professional, founding and leading UK, US and international schools across the world. She has extensive experience in educational innovation, new pedagogies, teacher professional development and school improvement. As a curriculum developer, Tracy is committed to interdisciplinary, innovative global education and service learning. Tracy has designed a curriculum around social media; health and wellbeing and human rights, including a course on human trafficking. Tracy has also been involved in research with Harvard Graduate School of Education Project Zero in the implementation of innovative pedagogy through teacher action research, exploring the creation of innovative communities within educational institutions. Tracy is a published author on the IB Middle Years programme and was a Co-Founder of a unique NGO set up and led by students, supporting peers in developing schools in India, Morocco and Uganda. Tracy has a Masters degree and Professional Diploma in International Education from the Institute of Education, University College London and an NPQEL in Educational Systems Leadership.

Monisha Gurkar

Wellness Facilitator & Mindset Coach - Monisha Gurkar Lifestyle Consultancy (MGLC)

With over 12 years in the AV industry in Dubai, I've mastered managing mental and emotional well-being in a demanding work culture. My personal journey through these challenges fuels my passion for fostering self-awareness and empowerment in others. As a Wellness Facilitator and Mindset Coach, I specialize in reprogramming belief systems and promoting healthier mindsets. My mission is to help individuals recognize their potential and create their reality, focusing especially on those shaping learning environments. I aim to bridge the gap between daily pressures and a fulfilling, healthy life. I believe in true leadership and the power within each of us to lead ourselves. By guiding individuals to connect with their true selves, I support their journey toward self-discovery and growth. I use a holistic approach, integrating techniques and practices that promote mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. By nurturing a supportive environment, I help clients reframe beliefs, encouraging positive change and development. Though my primary experience is in the AV industry, I have spoken at GESS and corporate events for educators, administrators, and students. These engagements have given me insights into the unique challenges in the education sector. I look forward to sharing my knowledge as a panel expert at the upcoming trade show and engaging with others dedicated to enhancing wellness in education.

Rob Faulkner

Founder and Lead Practitioner of Space To Bee - Head of Middle School - Al Dhafra Private School. Abu-Dhabi

Rob has worked in a large number of roles in the UK, starting off as a trainee teacher through to a member on SLT.

His subject is Physical Education and his roles have included Academic and Pastoral ones.

He found himself at a crossroads a few years ago battling the idea that schools weren't providing enough support to people with often complex emotional needs and this was a systemic issue rather than an individual school, town, borough one. So he made the leap to set up an Alternative Provision called Space To Bee. He works using 3 main strands, firstly, sports and exercise to help young people become more active. He uses mentoring to develop relationships and tackle barriers that may prevent a young person from accessing their education. Finally, they teach emotional management strategies to help young people self-regulate in moments when they feel anxious, frustrated or angry.

As part of the Space To Bee offer he was asked to deliver a week of CPD to a school in Abu-Dhabi, Al Dhafra and from there offered the amazing opportunity to work full time.

His journey in the UAE is a fantastic challenge to use the skills and expertise from his 25 years of working in schools, but also the huge learning from his time developing programmes for young people whilst they have been engaging with Space To Bee.

In addition to working in education he has worked as an academy football coach for over 10 years for a professional club and worked for the FA in England as a coach education tutor.

Berna Bouwer

Corporate Head of Inclusion - GEMS Education

Berna is a highly qualified Educational Leader and Educational Psychologist with almost 25 years of experience in the field. She began her career as a primary school teacher in South Africa, specializing in Mathematics and ELL, and has since worked in a range of environments, including schools catering to students with diverse learning needs. After earning her MEd in Educational Psychology, Berna worked as a School Psychologist and also managed a Private Practice. Her international experience includes roles in Dubai as a Director of Inclusion, Deputy Head, Year 1 -6 teacher, GCSE Psychology teacher, ABA Therapist, and Inclusion Specialist. In the UK, she served as Lead Inclusion Specialist for GEMS (UK & Europe), a teacher of mathematics and psychology GCSE. Head of Prep at Sherfield School, as well as Head of Inclusion, DSL, and Pastoral Deputy Head (whole school). Berna has recently returned to the UAE as Corporate Head of Inclusion for GEMS Education, where she is overseeing the development and implementation of comprehensive inclusion strategies and initiatives across the network of schools. Berna is passionate about cultivating a culture of inclusion and excellence, not only in GEMS but also in the region.

Priya Mitchell

CEO - PMC Safeguarding

Priya is a highly qualified social worker & mental health practitioner with over 30 years of experience in education, social care, and mental health. Since 2013, she has been at the forefront of safeguarding initiatives in the Middle East & Southeast Asia, offering training, supervision, and contributing to both government and NGO strategies. She recently chaired the International Task Force Child Protection (ITFCP) data recording working party. Priya serves as a school accreditation evaluator for the Council of International Schools. She is actively involved in various significant projects, including:

● Delivering the Dama Al Aman training within Abu Dhabi Emirate

● Writing content for safeguarding and wellbeing for platforms such as Educare, Eduspark, and Managebac.

● Providing supervision for school counsellors & school safeguarding staff globally.

● Conducting mental wellbeing webinars for Managebac and the International School Network.

● Undertaking school accreditation visits.

● Chairing the ITFCP working party on data recording and retention.

Priya's commitment to safeguarding & child welfare is unwavering. She firmly believes that the welfare of the child must remain at the centre of all educational efforts. Her previous roles included providing safeguarding training & child protection consultation to schools in the UAE. She founded and chaired the Abu Dhabi Child Protection Cluster Group, which collaborated with the MOI-CPC to implement consistent practice.

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