3rd Annual Symposium 2022
Keith Attard is a biology teacher with a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Malta and a Master’s degree in Educational Neuroscience from London’s Birkbeck College and UCL’s Institute of Education. His professional experience includes teaching biology in a number of local state senior schools and at the University of Malta Junior College. More recently he has also developed modules for the Educational Neuroscience Programme at the Institute for Education in Malta, and delivers lectures in the subject, mainly in Cognitive Neuroscience & Learning and Developmental Neuroscience.
Amanda Bezzina, PhD, is a Lecturer at the Institute for Education. For the past years, she was the Head of Department in Personal, Social and Career Development within the Ministry for Education and Employment. For several years, she was a PSCD teacher, a mentor and a guidance teacher. She is also a Visiting Assistant Lecturer at the University of Malta. She is a member of the Board of Governors at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology. For ten years, she was the President of the Malta PSD Teachers’ Association. Her areas of specialisation and research interests are holistic education, youth and community development, effective teaching strategies, facilitation and teaching skills.
Janice Darmanin was born and spent most of her primary education in Australia. She continued her education in Malta and graduated from the University of Malta with a Bachelor’s Degree in Maltese and Early & Middle Years. She has worked as a primary school teacher and Assistant Head of School, where she worked closely with kindergarten educators in the implementation of the emergent curriculum, and with educators and parents to improve the learners’ educational journey. She has recently completed her Master’s degree in Applied Educational Leadership with the Institute of Education and is currently holding the role of Manager Research Analyst within the Institute for Education.
Joanne Grima has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Education since founding it in 2015. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Education from the University of Malta and taught Chemistry in the secondary sector for ten years. In 2009 she moved to Higher Education to teach Environmental Science. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, Administration and Management and a Master’s degree in Education (Science). Joanne was an Education Officer – Assessment for Learning and developed a teacher-training programme to implement this pedagogy. She also served as Assistant Director – Assessment within the Curriculum Department.
Angele Pulis is a full-time lecturer at the Institute for Education. Her research domains include educational leadership, quality assurance of schools, pupil voice, and mixed methods research. She holds a PhD from the University of Leicester, a Master in Philosophy from the University of Wales, a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Administration and Management, and a B.Ed. (Hons) from the University of Malta. Her career in schools has included various roles. She was Head of a primary school and an Assistant Head in both a sixth form and a secondary school. She has taught Integrated Science and Chemistry in various secondary schools and has also taught Biology up to sixth form level.
Alexis Reid is an educational therapist and learning consultant in private practice (Reid Connect, LLC) in Boston, MA, USA and CAST UDL Faculty member. She specializes in executive function (EF), social emotional learning (SEL), positive youth development (PYD), as well as designing flexible and accessible learning environments through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Working across settings, Alexis supports individuals and systems at the intersections of learning and well-being through a holistic, neuro-developmental approach.
Clarisse Schembri Frendo is a Biology and HSC educator, currently leading the Sciences and VETs department at a local private school. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master of Science degree in Cognitive Science. Besides lecturing in education and psychology, she delivers workshops about educational neuroscience within various entities, such as Esplora and Café Scientifique. Lately, she has graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Mentoring and is currently reading for a doctoral degree combining her passion for education with her deep interest in cognitive science.
Daniel Sobel MA Ed (Psychology) FCMI FCIC FRSA is the CEO of Inclusion Expert, Chair of the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP) which has representation in 105 countries, Founder of the Global Inclusive Teaching Initiative (GITI), consultant and advisor to over ten thousand schools, regional and national governments as well as UNESCO, UN and the EU. He has authored 3 best-selling books the latest is The Inclusive Classroom which has been trending on Amazon as the number one education book for a year. Daniel has also authored over 90 articles and a successful Master’s programme for hundreds of students at the University of Buckingham in Inclusive Educational Leadership. Daniel is a prolific speaker and a major influencer in education with a massive following on LinkedIn.
Dr Helen Street is one of Australia’s most highly respected experts in wellbeing and resilience. She works as an education consultant, applied social psychologist and honorary fellow at The University of Western Australia. Helen has worked with schools in 15 countries. Her fourth book, ‘Contextual Wellbeing – creating positive school from the inside out’ will form the basis of her contribution to this symposium.
Jacqueline Vanhear was the Director – Quality Assurance Department within the Ministry for Education. Its aim is to evaluate and promote the quality of learners’ holistic education provision in Maltese pre-compulsory and compulsory educational institutions. She was the lead driver behind the National Policy Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care for Malta and Gozo (0-7 years) and the updating of the National Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care Services (0-3 years). She has taught in the early years, secondary and tertiary sectors and coached educators, with a special focus on learning how to learn. Her research focuses on how children learn and teaching and learning models facilitating meaningful learning while addressing learner variability. She is currently a Senior Executive, Quality Assurance at the University of Malta.
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