In this episode of The International Classroom, co-hosts Alex and Drew dive into the highs and lows of the first two weeks back at school. With a new academic year in full swing, they explore how educators can maintain their "new school year energy" while juggling leadership responsibilities, work-life balance, and classroom challenges.

🔑 Key Topics Discussed:

• Work-Life Balance for Teachers: How to prioritize personal time while staying committed to the demands of teaching and leadership.
• Leadership in Education: Alex’s new role overseeing a Sixth Form and the strategies he uses to build a positive school culture and community.
• Teacher Wellness & Energy Management: Insights on sustaining energy throughout the school year, balancing extracurriculars, gym routines, and maintaining a healthy diet.
• Challenges of a Growing School: Drew shares the excitement and challenges of being part of a growing school in Dubai, including managing new staff and students.
• Surviving the Inspection Cycle: Both hosts share their experiences with inspections and the pressures it brings for teachers and school leaders.

Join Alex and Drew for a lighthearted yet insightful conversation about how educators can survive and thrive during the busy start of the school year.

Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or just navigating the demands of a new job, this episode offers practical tips for maintaining your energy and focus all year long!

Welcome back to Season 3 of The International Classroom! In this special back-to-school episode, we're onto part two of the series in collaboration with the British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education. From practical strategies for integrating AI into your classroom to expert tips for school leaders on managing digital change, this episode covers everything you need to get started with AI this school year. We discuss the importance of simplifying policies, empowering staff, and creating sustainable frameworks to support AI implementation. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or part of the education community, you’ll discover actionable advice on overcoming challenges, developing effective AI policies, and maximising the impact of AI on learning and teaching. Keep the conversation going and join The International Classroom Podcast Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/VtVySVrPiBFjGMCM/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Learn more about SMART Technologies: https://www.smarttech.com/en/education ------------------------------------------------------------------ 🎬🎙️Use Riverside: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=alex-gray ------------------------------------------------------------------ 🎬 Follow and connect with me on other social platforms: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergray84/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ticpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinternationalclassroom ------------------------------------------------------------------ 🎧 Listen: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-international-classroom/id1726686782 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2zGUdthbVSYIYNRySzXUSY?si=03227d0b06274977 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3de5d7af-a44a-45e6-98a2-612c8c535967/the-international-classroom Subscribe to The International Classroom podcast for more episodes that bring you to the heart of educational innovation, and join us as we continue to explore how technology and traditional teaching methods can coexist to shape a brighter future for all learners. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to Season 3 & Overview of the Episode 01:05 – Sponsorship Message: SMART Technologies 01:41 – Efraim Lerner 10:27 – Ben Whitaker 17:21 – Dan Fitzpatrick 28:46 – Dr Nick Jackson 41:24 – Dr Sabba Quidwai 48:13 – Matthew Weymes 1:01:08 – Outro: Subscribe and Follow for More Education Insights

Welcome back to Season 3 of The International Classroom! In this special back-to-school episode, we kick off a two-part series in collaboration with the British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education. From practical strategies for integrating AI into your classroom to expert tips for school leaders on managing digital change, this episode covers everything you need to get started with AI this school year. We discuss the importance of simplifying policies, empowering staff, and creating sustainable frameworks to support AI implementation. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or part of the education community, you’ll discover actionable advice on overcoming challenges, developing effective AI policies, and maximising the impact of AI on learning and teaching.

Keep the conversation going and join The International Classroom Podcast Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/VtVySVrPiBFjGMCM/

------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about SMART Technologies: https://www.smarttech.com/en/education

------------------------------------------------------------------🎬🎙️Use Riverside:https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=alex-gray

------------------------------------------------------------------🎬 Follow and connect with me on other social platforms:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergray84/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ticpodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinternationalclassroom

------------------------------------------------------------------🎧 Listen:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-international-classroom/id1726686782

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2zGUdthbVSYIYNRySzXUSY?si=03227d0b06274977

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3de5d7af-a44a-45e6-98a2-612c8c535967/the-international-classroom

Subscribe to The International Classroom podcast for more episodes that bring you to the heart of educational innovation, and join us as we continue to explore how technology and traditional teaching methods can coexist to shape a brighter future for all learners.

Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to Season 3 & Overview of the Episode

01:05 – Sponsorship Message: SMART Technologies

01:41 – Al Kingsley

10:17 – Ryan Tannenbaum

20:18 – David Hatami

29:34 – Evan Harris

39.28 – Darren Coxon

53:01– Leon Furze

58:31 – Philippa Wraithmell

1:01:42 – Outro: Subscribe and Follow for More Education Insights #BackToSchool #AIInEducation #EdTech #SchoolLeadership #TeachingTips #InternationalClassroomPodcast