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Consulting & Coaching

There is no greater profession in the world than being an educator.   I'm very proud to be a part of this profession and  it is my firm belief that we have the potential to change lives forever through the work that we do. 

When I think of what leadership in education means, I'm drawn to a memory that I have of a good friend who on her first day of taking over as the school's new principal, she stated that she was there to liberate greatness in others.  I've never forgotten those words. This sums up exactly what quality leadership is all about to me. It's about liberating greatness not only in ourselves but within every teacher that we work with. 

Great leaders have the ability to choose the right words or right questions at the exact right time. And in doing so, these chosen words are a call to action for the teachers that they work with to take initiative to grow, learn and deepen their practice.  Nothing is more rewarding to me than helping teachers to better their best. 

As the current work that I do at Gardens Elementary School (The KAUST School) is top priority for me, any consulting and/coaching work that I do, must be undertaken during my off hours and during my holiday time. I have a strong commitment to my responsibilities at The KAUST School and am very happy and proud to be a part of such a great organization that places high value on learning and growth.

I have worked with a number of different international schools, teachers, and leaders from around the world helping them to refine their professional practice, their programs, and their ways of working and collaborating with one another in order to be their best for those who they serve on a daily basis. I have done this in person and virtually over the years.
Every single school is uniquely different, as are their teachers and leaders. This requires a tailored approach to my delivery in order to ensure relevant, authentic and meaningful personal and professional growth opportunities for all stakeholders.

The training that I offer is rooted in helping each person learn through the power of reflection, goal-setting, and making commitments to their own growth through the learning they experience in my workshops.
My fee largely depends on the nature and intensity of the work that is required. I’m happy to discuss this with you once we connect.

If you are interested in my services, please feel free to contact me by email, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Please find testimonials below that outline the quality of my work and the difference it has made. Thanks!

 
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Upcoming Keynote Speaking Engagements

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Connected PE Conference
Dubai, UAE
​October 2016 & October 2017
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ACHPER Tazmania
Hobart, Australia
September 2016
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Australian Council  for Health, Physical Education and Recreation
November 2015
Monash University in Melbourne


Andy was invited to give the opening keynote address to over 1000 educators at the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at Monash University in Melbourne in November 2015. In his talk, Andy reminded teachers about the importance that they play in the lives of their students and colleagues. Ultimately our profession is about serving others and making a difference in their lives and in doing so we realize the impact that we can have. 

Regardless of our role in education, it is imperative to strive for both personal and professional excellence and in doing so, not only will we  have a great career, we will also have a profound impact on our subject area and on student learning.  Teachers attending Andy's keynote speech  walked away with an important message that was aimed at helping them to understand and embrace the value that they bring to education.

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Asia Pacific Physical Education Conference
November 2015
Hong Kong

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Andy gave a keynote address to over 300 educators at the Asia Pacific Physical Education Conference in November 2015. In his talk, he challenged teachers to look within  themselves in order to better reflect on the work that they do. The focus for any teacher needs to be student learning, but at the heart of it comes the importance of mindful reflection, paying attention to the little details and being inspired on a daily basis if we are to have a long lasting impact on the young people who cross our lives through our careers in education.  Andy highlighted the importance of  never underestimating the  importance that we play in making a genuine difference within our profession in this keynote address. 

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3-E Conference
September 2015
International School of Ho Chi Minh City


​Andy was invited to give the opening keynote address to an audience of elementary school teachers at the 3-E conference being held  at the International School of Ho Chi Minh City in September of 2015. The  talk itself was designed to get teachers reflecting on their own levels of motivation and the importance of clarifying their purpose as educators.  Andy's talk helped to set a very positive tone for the two-day conference helping educators to zero in on what matters most in teaching and to find greater meaning in the work that they do.

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National Institute of Physical Education Institute
July 2015
Asheville, North Carolina

Andy was  invited to be a keynote speaker at the National PE Institute conference which was held at University of North Carolina  Asheville Campus this past summer.  Speaking to over 400 teachers from across the US and other parts of the world, Andy  shared his message which  was related to the  importance of truly finding our purpose as educators. In finding this purpose, not only will we have a greater impact on our profession but also on those who matter most, the students that we teach. 

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European Council of International Schools Physical Education Conference
April 2015
Munich Germany

The organizing committee invited Andy to be the closing keynote speaker of this conference which was  held at Munich  International School. The theme of the conference was 'Game On'  and Andy's message was all about bringing on our A-Games as educators in order to deliver the most meaningful learning experiences possible to those who we teach.  He spoke of the importance of finding our purpose  as educators and delivering our programs in a way that help to encourage and support student autonomy. To finish off his talk Andy emphasized just how critical it is to ensure that educators address mindset whenever possible with their learners  and that doing so helps to enhance and deepen the learning taking place in the programs in  which they teach. 

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Shanghai United International Schools Cross Campus Conference
March 2015
Shanghai, China

Andy was invited to be the closing keynote speaker at the annual cross campus conference that was attended by 450 teachers and administrators from 7 different schools in the Shanghai region .  His main goal of this keynote speech was to help teachers and administrators better understand that  they are the true difference makers in a time when the world and young people need them the most.  Meshing personal stories along with real-life examples  of  his educational practice helped to deliver a very important message to teachers attending this conference.  The feedback received after his speech was very positive and his message seemed to hit home with many of the educators in the audience. 

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Physed Summit 1.0 
October 2014


Andy was invited to be the keynote speaker for the world's first  virtual Physical Education conference which was organized by the Physedagogy team and held in October of 2014. In his keynote speech, he emphasized the importance of being difference makers within our profession and discussed how the tide is changing in regards to educators taking the reigns when it comes to their own professional development.  You can watch his virtual keynote speech by clicking the You Tube video below. 

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Corporate Team Building Workshops
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EMZ Smart Solutions Team Building Session
Sunday, May 10th, 2014
Nanjing, China


Consulting Summary
During this dynamic session, the senior management team from EMZ Smart Solutions took part in a number of team building activities. Each activity was delivered in layers with the main aim being not only to break down the ingredients necessary for success within each manager's own job role, but also ingredients necessary for success as a team. Each participant was challenged to reflect upon their professional relationships within the workplace and how to better work together to support one another in reaching their targets and goals. EMZ Smart Solutions is a highly successful company to begin with and the fact that they took part in this team building session demonstrated the commitment that they have for improving the service that they deliver to their customers. 


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Single Subject  Good Teaching Practice Workshop
Mount Scopus Memorial School
November 2015
Melbourne, Australia

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Workshop Summary
In this intensive one-day workshop non-subject specific good teaching practice was explored. Teachers form Jewish studies, Hebrew, music, gardening, PE, visual arts, and ESL came together to evaluate to what extent they are applying certain key fundamentals in their programs. Learning environment was also assessed in this workshop with the aim of brainstorming how to better design  their learning space to help enhance student learning in their specific programs. 
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Single Subject Inquiry and Assessment Workshop
Frankfurt International School
November 2015
Germany

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 Workshop Summary
Single subject teachers from German language, PE, Music, Visual Arts, as well as PYP Coordinators came together to unpack good teaching practice within their subject areas. Although inquiry and assessment was the major focus  of this workshop, reflection also played a large part  which helped to encourage teachers to identify obstacles holding them  back from  achieving excellence within their subject areas. 
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Featured Workshop Presenter
Asia Pacific Physical Education Conference
November 2015
Hong Kong

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Workshop Summaries
As a featured presenter, Andy led sessions on both days of the conference aimed at sharing the power of provocations and making learning outcomes explicit and visual in the units taught in PE. These sessions were practical with lots of take away value for teachers attending. 
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 PYP PE Focused Workshop
 November 2015
 Canadian International
School      of Hong Kong



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 Consulting Summary
During this 2-day visit, the PE curriculum was examined in order to breakdown  how it might be improved upon. An in-depth look at assessment and integration was also explored with big decisions being made about how best to move the program forward. Continued collaboration will take place for the remainder of the 2015-2016 school year. 
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  Deepening the PYP Workshop   Series
 October 2015
​Taejon, South Korea

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Consulting Summary
During this 2-day visits all PYP teachers were observed and feedback given to help strengthen their teaching practice. Co-planning sessions were held across the grade levels and single subject areas with a particular focus on  developing deeper conceptual questions. Way to better deliver transdisciplinary learning across the PYP was also explored. 
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Single Subject  Deepening Practice Workshop Series
October 2015
Songdo, South Korea

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Consulting Summary
During this 3-day visit, the single subject areas of design  learning, music, Korean language,  PE, visual arts, and  ESL were focused on through observational visits, mentoring, and working to develop more comprehensive learning experiences for the students in the PYP at Chadwick.
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3E Conference
All Elementary
September 2015
​Vietnam

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Workshop  Series Summary
The non negotiables of good teaching practice were shared  in this  workshop series. From the use of powerful provocations to making learning outcomes explicit and visual, teachers were challenged to reflect on their own practice and ways to deep their delivery in order to enhance student learning in the programs. 
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  I-Physical Workshop for Victoria       PE Teachers
  Deakin University
  June 2015
​ Melbourne, Australia

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Workshop Summary
In this session, teachers examined to what depth that they use provocations in their teaching to springboard important learning forward.  The unpacking of essential student learning outcomes was explored in and effort to make teachers aware of just how important this process is in teaching.  
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End of Year Goal-Setting Workshop
YK Pao School
June 2015
Shanghai, China

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Workshop Summary
In this one-day workshop, PE classes were observed and feedback was given. This led to a number of  different one on one discussions with teachers aimed at helping them to set professional growth goals related to both their department mission but also  to their own personal teaching.
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The Role of Inquiry and Assessment in PE
Canadian International School of Beijing
​April 2015

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Workshop Summary
Teachers were challenged to look at their existing practice for ways to deepen the learning experiences that they deliver to their students. Although inquiry and assessment were the focus of this workshop, teachers were also exposed to a  number of other research-based teaching approaches that have been shown to enhance student learning in phsyical education.
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Inquiry and Assessment Physical Education Workshop
Shanghai United International School
China
March 2015

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Workshop Summary
Throughout this workshop, teachers took part in a variety of hands on activities aimed at broadening out the way in which we deliver the units taught in PE. As well, we looked at how our units can be delivered in more effective ways to ensure our students are engaged in meaningful inquiry and deepened learning . We also examined how games can be layered  in a progressive  way to challenge deeper thinking at each stage of the units  that we teach. Making learning outcomes explicit and visual was highlighted throughout the process  so that students have a more specific direction and focus as they learn. 
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Reflective Teacher Practice Guest Lecture
Brock University
March 2015

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Featured Presenter
Teacher reflection is an essential part of our professional growth journeys in education. This session was delivered in Q and A format for 4th year concurrent education pre-service PE teachers  which was organized by their associate professor Tim Fletcher.  The students were challenged to think deeply about the importance that teacher reflection plays in helping to professionally grow and develop. Ideas and strategies for optimizing reflection  was emphasized throughout this session. 
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Physical Education Program Overview Workshop
Gems World Academy
Dubai, UAE
February 2015

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Consulting Summary
Over the 2 days,  the current Physical Education and Health program was broken down and examined by all stakeholders involved.  We looked at areas in need of growth and improvement and designed ways to better roll out and align units in order to maximize the learning taking place at GEMS. All teachers had a chance to look at their current planning practice and make the necessary changes to ensure that their unit and lesson planning takes on deeper meaning.  
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Australian Council for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation   Conference November 2014

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Featured Presenter
In this  1-hour presentation, I was asked to share and discuss the power that social media plays in helping to  maintain and deepen our professional growth.  Numerous examples and strategies were shared during this session from an expert panel in order to help educators better understand the value  in being a socially connected teacher.
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Inquiry and Assessment  PE Workshop
September 2014
Western International School of Shanghai



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Workshop Summary
Throughout this one-day workshop, multiple assessment strategies were discussed and put into practice. A number of hands on practical activities were explored while at the same time  participants focused on the importance of transdisciplinary learning and  asking  the right types of questions. All very practical in nature, many theoretical approaches were discussed and reflected on.  As well, a second day was  spent working with the PE team from Western International School helping to  re-structure the program in order  to enhance the learning of the students  in regards to their PE experience. 
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​Workshop Summary

In this virtual session, good teaching practice was delved into, in particular how to create a PYP-rich environment that allows students to take ownership over their learning.

​The teaching role in an inquiry-based program can shift in multiple directions depending upon the needs  of the students. Having to be more hands on at times does not negate inquiry but only helps to individualize it through making learning outcomes explicit and visual at a pace that students can handle. 
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Western International School  Shanghai Year Long  Mentoring /Coaching
2015-2016 School Year

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Consulting Summary
Through the school year, mentoring and coaching of teachers will be ongoing. Co-teaching, co-planning, and re-designing the learning experiences for the students has been the main focus. The goal of this year is to make an already strong program even better. 
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ACHPER Conference
Featured Presenter
Monash University
November 2015

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Workshop Summaries
As a featured presenter for the Victorian Network of physical and health educators in Melbourne, good pedagogy was examined  in order to evaluate the necessary steps needed to improve teaching practice.  From the use of provocations to making essential student learning outcomes explicit and visual, the non-negotiables of good teaching  practice were emphasized. 
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 The Power of Becoming  a Socially  Connected Educator
 October 2015
 University of Rhode Island

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 Guest Lecture Summary
In this virtual session, pre-service teachers were taken through the process of becoming a socially connected educator.  The  impact of connecting with like-minded educators was explored  along with the power of creating your own sustainable professional development journey.  The importance of connecting with mentors was also discussed in this session.
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Single Subject Workshop Series
ISHCMC
September 2015
Vietnam

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Consulting Summary
During this week  long visit, non-subject specific good teaching practice was explored within each subject area. Each teacher was observed in their own teaching space  and  closely worked with on a one-to-one basis in order to better develop their units and assessments.  The focus of the week was to get teachers thinking about how best to improve their practice in an effort to enhance student learning in their program.
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Creating More Meaning Provocations 
All Staff
Gems Academy
​Dubai
August 2015

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Workshop Summary
​This workshop was aimed at getting teachers to use a unique brainstorming tool to create more meaningful provocations in their teaching practice. When designing provocations teachers were encouraged to look through the conception lens  to identify the big ideas and themes that will drive the learning in their units. 
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Workshop Presenter
European Council of International Schools  PE Conference
Munich, Germany
April 2015

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Workshop Summaries
Three breakout sessions were presented over this 3-day conference in Munich with the aim being on making learning outcomes explicit, bringing more transdisciplinary learning into PE, and  the power of provocations in our teaching practice. It was a hands on approach  that allowed teachers to be actively engaged in these workshop. 
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Physical Education and Single Subject  Provocations Session
International School of Ho Chi  Minh City
Vietnam
March 2015

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Session Summary
In this session, single subject teachers participated in a power of provocations workshop aimed at creating more meaningful hooks in the units and lessons taught in their subject areas. Based on research and using a design thinking approach , teachers were taken through a planning process using a design tool created by NoTosh Consulting. The teachers were challenged to take a look at their existing units and strengthen the way these units are kick started by creating a more authentic and engaging hook to capture students right from the start. 
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Moving Forward PE and Single Subject Workshop
Qatar Academy

Doha, Qatar
February 2015

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Consulting Summary
During this three-day school visit, multiple workshops were held to  challenge teachers to examine current teaching practice in an effort to identify needed areas of growth.  A whole PYP staff transdisciplinary session was held to get all educators thinking about ways to better collaborate and  create a more effective environment for  learning.  As well, current units in physical education and the single subjects were looked at in order to help deepen  the learning experiences for students in the PYP at Qatar Academy.
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IBO PSPE  Workshop
Rome , Italy
November  2014

Workshop Facilitator
Wayne Quennville






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Featured  Presenter
This virtual presentation was aimed at helping teachers to better understand the roles of reflection and  purpose in education.  Each participant was challenged to think about how they may deepen their own practice and better identify their true purpose as educators. This virtual session was in support to the work that they main presenter, Wayne Quennville was doing throughout the 2-day workshop.  
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YK Pao International School  Moving Forward Workshop Part  2
December 2014









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Consulting Summary

As part of an ongoing commitment to work with this school,  the day was spent assessing progress made since the previous visit by observing teachers in action and providing feedback for growth.  As well, we  had a couple of theoretical sessions aimed at challenging teachers to implement new ideas into the planning process. 
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Assessment, Unit Planning, and Inquiry Workshop
April 2014
Western Academy Beijing Elementary (Nanjing, China)






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Consulting Summary
The main purpose of this one-day workshop was to challenge a very experienced physed team to look deeply at their current PE program and to bring more depth of inquiry into the units that they teach. We investigated a number of strategies for opening up each of their units to allow for more student ownership over learning. As well, assessment practices were discussed in order to explore possible ways of better assessment the learners within their elementary program. 
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Good Teaching Practice Sharing Presentation
December 2013
Upper Canada College (Toronto)





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Presentation Summary
Good teaching practice both inside and outside the box of physical education was the primary focus of this afternoon session held at the prestigious all boys IB school Upper Canada College located in Toronto, Canada. Several teachers from across the Toronto region attended the session. Although there was a theoretical focus to presentation, participants also took part in a number of hands on activities.


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Skype PE Program Consulting
Vilinus International School
Lithuania
2014-2015

Consulting Summary
Over the 2014-2015 school year, I have been working with the PYP Coordinator and the PE department of this school to help restructure the way physical education is being delivered. We have looked at existing space, resources, units, and lessons in order to maximize how best to teach the program.  Through a number of Skype consultation sessions, teachers have been interviewed and ideas exchanged that were  put into practice and later reviewed to ensure effectiveness and reliability. 


Goal-setting  was an important part of this process as  was teacher  reflection. Looking at how best to address conceptual learning without losing physical activity time was also a critical part of this ongoing dialogue between the PE teachers and myself throughout the process.
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EARCOS Administration Conference PLN Presentation
November 2013
Bangkok, Thailand

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Presentation Summary
The power of professional learning networks was the main focus of this 75-minute presentation which was held for several athletic directors from the Pacific Asia region of international schools. My own journey setting up a physical education professional learning community was looked at with the ultimate aim being to help establish a similar network for athletic directors. 
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The Role of Assessment & Inquiry in PE Workshop
August 2013
Surat, India

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Presentation Summary
The primary focus of this two-day workshop focused on the role of inquiry and assessment in physical education. This workshop was very much hands on and challenged teachers to look deeply at the way that they teach and assess in physical education. Through a number of very practical activities breaking down how to make learning outcomes explicit and how to better align assessment to these learning outcomes was a priority over the two days. 

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Good Practice Sharing Project
October 2012
IBO Headquarters in the Hague, Netherlands

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Project Summary
In 2012 I worked with the IBO in helping to establish a process for teachers around the world being able to contribute their good teaching practice to a new blog being set up at the time. The small committee in place, led by the PYP Curriculum manager, created important submission criteria and I was fortunate to be the first teacher published on this blog. Check out my cycle of inquiry contribution here.
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Inquiry in PE Workshop
November 2012

UNIS, Hanoi

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Workshop Summary
Working with individual PE departments is one of my favorite professional development experiences. It allows me to study a school's PE program ahead of time and identify areas in need of improvement. I always come prepared to present strategies and plans specific to that particular PE department's needs. This is what I did in the United Nations International School PE workshop that I led back in 2012. 

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Finding Your Online Tribe 
Feedback for Effective Thinking Conference
September 2013
Nanjing, China

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Presentation Summary
As social media continues to pave the way in 21st century learning, connecting to a world of greatness in education is at the tip of our fingers. This presentation was about being intrinsically motivated to set your own profession growth goals and find your own online tribe to help in pursuing these PD goals. 
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Inquiry Based Learning in PE Skype Consultation
August 2013
Stamford American School (Singapore)

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Consultation Summary
I was asked by head of department, Mark Williams, to introduce 2 days of PD on Inquiry-Based Learning, the use of questioning, and general good teaching practice to the department of 12 teachers. Consulting via Skype allows me to work personally with PE teams despite the distance between us. In this session I was able to field a number of teacher questions related to brining inquiry alive in PE. I am always happy to work with other schools using Skype as a medium for communication and collaboration. 
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IBO Stand Alone Units of Inquiry Project
December 2012
Wilton Manors Elementary School
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida


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Project Summary
Being invited to work with the IBO is always a rewarding experience. This project was aimed at developing exemplar stand alone units of inquiry. Working together with teachers from Wilton Manors Elementary School and the IBO PYP Curriculum manager, we were responsible for documenting exemplar stand alone units for publishing on the IBO website. 
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Sportfolio EARCOS Presentation
March 2010
International School of Manila, Philippines. 

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In 2010 I presented a session on how to implement the Sportfolio in a school's physical education program. The logistics of organizing 

Sportfolios and hands on examples of student assessment were the primary focus of the workshop which was attended by 20+ teachers. Teachers were led through a number of PE related activities and required to complete different types of assessment tasks to gain a better insight into the importance of varying up the styles of assessment delivered by teachers to students. Many schools began to successfully implement the Sportfolio after my workshop. 

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  • Welcome
  • All Things Teaching and Learning
  • The Aligned Leader Blog
  • Consulting and Coaching Opportunities
  • My TED X Talk
  • My Leadership Blog
  • Run Your Life Podcast Series
  • How PYP PE with Andy Has Helped Others
  • Good Teaching is L.I.F.E
  • The Sportfolio
  • Example Assessment Tasks
  • PYP Attitude Posters (printable)
  • Publications