Pre-conference workshops

This workshop will explore the role of assessment practices in creating the conditions for all members of a school community to achieve agency. Drawing on key work in the assessment and agency spaces, participants will unpack what an “ecological” model of agency might look like in practice, and its implications for assessment practices. Participants will explore the fundamental role of assessment practices as tools to empower members of communities to take meaningful action in the world. Participants will leave the workshop with an understanding of the interrelationship between agency and assessment within their own context, and will develop a set of practical strategies to empower all members of their learning community.

This interactive workshop empowers innovative educators to rethink their staff evaluation system by separating its developmental and accountability functions. Participants will explore how to create differentiated pathways that align with the diverse needs of educators in International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools, ensuring a more personalized and effective approach to staff growth. The session emphasizes practical strategies that support the unique demands of an IB-context learning organization, fostering an environment where evaluation becomes a tool for professional development and accountability without compromising one or the other. Through collaborative discussions and hands-on activities, attendees will leave with actionable insights and a framework to implement in their schools. This workshop is perfect for leaders who aim to create a balanced, meaningful evaluation process that nurtures growth and ensures accountability.

Through different interactive, constructive activities and discussions, this workshop will deconstruct the typical Middle Years Programme (MYP) assessment process and identify opportunities for optimization. By integrating criteria and strand skills with student achievement data, teachers gain a deeper understanding of student learning. This approach helps in confidently mapping out students’ skill levels, fostering reflective teaching practices. Teachers can then tailor activities to meet the diverse needs of their students, enriching the educational experience for both. The session will explore how detailed, targeted feedback can support students in strengthening their skills in relation to MYP criteria and command terms. At the end of the workshop you will be empowered as an educator and leader to optimize your MYP assessment to help your students learn.

This practical workshop will engage educators in restorative practice with the aim of developing and sustaining inclusive educational communities that support individual and collective well-being. Participants will gain the fundamental knowledge, skills and tools to guide the implementation of restorative practices with all members of their community, promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and relationship building capacity.

Restorative practice is a social science studying relationship and connection development; it promotes empathy, equitable conflict resolution, accountability and community resilience. The use of these tools in school settings has been found to reduce student behaviour challenges and promote fair process. This workshop will provide concrete tools and skills to implement with staff, students and all school stakeholders to strengthen interconnectedness and relationship building capacity.

This workshop equips educators with innovative strategies to integrate generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in IB learning, teaching and assessment. Participants will explore IB-specific GenAI applications, including unit planning, authentic assessment design and addressing approaches to learning and approaches to teaching and the learner profile. The session demonstrates how to leverage AI as a teacher coach, inquiry facilitator, personalized tutor, teaching assistant and as a tool for deepening conceptual understanding. Addressing AI literacy, the workshop prepares educators to nurture this in themselves and their students. Participants will engage with school AI policy development, using a provided template and AI tool to draft policies for effective and ethical GenAI use in their unique contexts. Through interactive experiences and hands-on activities, educators will gain the knowledge and confidence to implement GenAI effectively in their IB programmes.

Managing change is one of the greatest challenges leaders face. This pre-conference session will guide participants through strategies that help to identify the magnitude of change and deepen understanding for the ways that mental models, public value, operational capacity and legitimacy and support contribute to whether a community accepts or rejects change. Through collaboration and networking with other school leaders, this session will facilitate the application of change theory to the education systems and frameworks that the IB has designed to cultivate in flourishing IB World Schools. If you feel as though your community is divided regarding their perceptions of the value and purpose of IB education, or maybe you and members of your team have imagined an IB World School that is not yet reflected currently, this session can offer strategies to transform aspects of your school and to reach your defined school optimum.

This interactive workshop is designed to enhance your school’s professional learning journey. Educators will experience that professional learning goes beyond mandated professional development days and required IB workshops. This pre-conference invites participants to inquire into what constitutes continuous professional learning and how an intentional approach to the growth of individual teachers, leaders and the learning organization is fundamental to student learning. The session will navigate a variety of professional learning engagements and their potential for driving change. Embedded learning opportunities, such as book studies, instructional coaching, team teaching and learning walks, are suggested as possibilities for personalized professional learning plans that can build capacity and drive strategic development for deeper student learning. Educators will connect professional learning to their current focus of IB programme development.

The overall purpose of this workshop is to collaborate and share experiences of inclusive education practices, focusing on the IB. Participants will explore what inclusive education means, identify and remove barriers to learning, and design diverse learning environments and inclusive assessments. The workshop is a mixture of inquiry-based tasks, collaborative discussions, presentations and hands-on activities. The attendees will develop actionable frameworks to lead schools in embracing the IB's core values of inclusivity and global citizenship. This session is ideal for programme coordinators, school leaders and educators committed to creating learning spaces where every student feels included, valued and empowered to succeed. Participants will leave with practical tools for embedding inclusiveness into school culture, engaging staff and students in meaningful intercultural dialogue and ensuring that learning environments reflect the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of all students.

This workshop delves into the vital connection between well-being and leadership, framed by the idea of "cathedral thinking"—the visionary approach to building with the future in mind. As educators and leaders, we have the power to shape not only the immediate environment but also the lasting legacy of our institutions. By embedding well-being at the heart of our leadership, we create cultures of care that nurture resilience, purpose and sustainable growth—for ourselves, our teams and our communities. This workshop is crafted for leaders, educators and administrators who aim to strike a balance between caring for the well-being of their teams and students and maintaining a strategic, long-term vision. It is especially meaningful for those driving IB programmes or for those working in environments that emphasize holistic development, student agency and creating an enduring impact.

This workshop provides educators across all educational contexts, an introduction to the guiding principles of UDL. The workshop will explore how simple adjustments can be applied to areas such as the goal, methods, material and assessment resulting in increased student agency and improved outcomes. Utilizing approaches to learning, educators will have the opportunity to develop strategies that can be transferred to all educational contexts, creating bespoke resources and artefacts. Practical examples will be shared including a multi programme resource bank.