AGIS Conference 2026 Potsdam

AGIS Conference 2026 Potsdam

Working Together To Support Learning

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9:45am CEST

Lesson study-A Co Planning Protocol for Lessons within the Whole School

Saturday September 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CEST

Lesson study is a transformative approach to professional development that is based on collaborative action research. Originating in Japanese educational practices and spread around the world after, lesson study is a process in which a small group of teachers plan one or more lessons collectively, observe each other's teaching and then come together to refine their strategies. The main aim is to improve curricular resources and teaching methodologies in order to increase the quality of student learning. At Franconian International School a pair of teachers designed a lesson for three G7 Science classes. The following competences were considered: motivating students for the act of learning, using interactive methods based on teamwork, training students to ask questions to help them solve the requirements od the task. The lesson was directly observed and analysed according to an observation grid created for this purpose. Students participated constructively with ideas and suggestions, working both individually and in teams.

Session Outcome(s)
To familiarise teachers of all grades with this approach and to encourage them to apply it to their lessons in their schools.

Speakers

Constantin Lomaca

Science and ToK Teacher, Franconian International School

A science and ToK specialist with a passion for pedagogy.

Saturday September 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CEST
0.246 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

9:45am CEST

Maxed Out Minds: Managing Working Memory for Powerful Learning

Saturday September 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CEST

Understanding and Supporting Working Memory in Learning
Working memory is the brain’s mental workspace—the system that temporarily holds and manipulates information during thinking, problem‑solving, and learning. This workshop explores how working memory functions, why it is limited, and how cognitive overload can disrupt students’ ability to process new information and move it into long‑term memory. When working memory becomes overwhelmed, learners struggle to follow directions, complete multistep tasks, or retain new concepts, making instructional design and pacing essential to student success.
Participants will examine the relationship between attention and working memory, including how distractions, stress, and competing stimuli reduce the brain’s capacity to hold information. The session highlights how attention acts as the “gatekeeper” for learning—if attention is lost, working memory cannot engage, and long‑term storage cannot occur.
The workshop provides practical, classroom‑ready strategies to support working memory during lessons. These include chunking information, using visual anchors, modelling thinking steps, reducing unnecessary cognitive load, incorporating retrieval practice, and embedding purposeful brain breaks to reset attention. Educators will learn how to design instruction that aligns with how the brain learns best, ensuring students can process, store, and retrieve information more effectively. Participants leave with tools to create learning environments where working memory thrives and long‑term learning sticks.

Speakers

Deb Lancashire

MYP Teacher / Author, International School of Stuttgart

Deb Lancashire has been a passionate educator for 41 years and a two time teacher of the year. Her experiences include Kindergarten-third grade behaviour disabilities, Learning Support for grades 6-8, Grade 4 classroom teacher, and Grade 6-8 classroom teacher all subject areas... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CEST
0.219 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

9:45am CEST

Students Teaching Students: The Power of Peer Teaching in Language B Classes

Saturday September 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CEST

This session is focusing on student leadership in language B classes. The concept of students teach students can of course be applied to other subjects, however, the examples that will be presented in this session are from our German B DP classes. By giving students the freedom to choose their own topics and having them teach their fellow students, we help them to be more responsible for their own learning. The teacher becomes more of a facilitator than a teacher. We will show you how this method can increase the students’ motivation and willingness to study vocabulary and content; how we as teachers can foster the students’ creativity and confidence. We will provide you with ideas of how to implement this concept, how to structure the work units and how to assess them.

Speakers

Kerstin Reuther-Roché & Monika Hammerschick

Teachers, International School of Hamburg

Monika has been an educator in international schools for over 30 years. She has taught IBDP German B SL und HL for over 25 years and also German AbInitio at times. She has also taught English B for about 10 years and IBMYP German B for about 20 years. Monika has retired from teaching in... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CEST
0.233 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Secondary / Middle learners aged 11-16; Secondary / Diploma learners aged 17-18
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

9:45am CEST

The Feedback Loop: Using Feedback to Navigate and Individualize Learning Support

Saturday September 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CEST

In learning support, the most powerful tool isn’t a textbook—it’s the student’s voice. This workshop moves beyond "one-size-fits-all" instruction toward a Feedback Loop that builds genuine student agency. Using lean, digital systems (Google Forms, exit tickets, and AI as a learning coach), we’ll demonstrate how to capture real-time insights to pivot your curriculum.
Through the lens of our classrooms, we will show how student feedback transformed a standard program into a responsive curriculum featuring targeted organization and summarization strategies. Learn to design a "living curriculum" where modular planning and collaborative goal-setting put students in the driver’s seat of their own success.

Speakers

Jessica Shiffman

Learning Support Teacher, International School of Hamburg

With 25 years of classroom experience, Jessica brings a deep, multi-disciplinary perspective to education. She holds a BS in Speech-Language Pathology, an MS in Audiology, and an Ed.S. in Special Education. Her career includes a decade as an ELA teacher and three years as a learning... Read More →

Dagny Remmler Mörsen

Teacher of German and Learning Support Teacher, International School of Hamburg

With 11 years in education and three specializing in learning support, Dagny focuses on the intersection of resource management and developmental growth. She hold a BA in Education and an MA in Integrated Learning Therapy, specializing in learning and development support for children... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CEST
0.225 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Secondary / Middle learners aged 11-16
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

11:15am CEST

Building Practice, Not Positions: Moving International Schools from Rhetoric to Authentic Student Leadership, Agency, and Service.

Saturday September 19, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CEST

This workshop critiques how international school student leadership often prioritizes confidence, compliance, and availability - narrowing leadership to titles and power - and invites educators to reframe leadership as service, emotional intelligence, and authentic agency using SEL and IFSEL competencies. Participants will interrogate whether their systems solicit mere feedback or genuine student voice and will explore practical, inclusive models (issue-based teams, student proposal cycles, low-threshold roles) that enable student-initiated, service-oriented action while preserving appropriate adult support.

Through reflection, discussion, and hands-on design, attendees will identify adult behaviors that limit agency, apply a Leadership Audit Tool to spot barriers, redesign one leadership structure to pilot immediately, and leave with concrete tools and coaching strategies to cultivate leadership as a learned practice that strengthens wellbeing, belonging, resilience, and global citizenship.

Speakers

Jessica Stralkowski

Deputy Head of Secondary, English Teacher, Franconian International School

A dedicated Deputy Head of Secondary, English teacher of 18 years, and advocate of student voice.

Saturday September 19, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CEST
0.245 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

11:15am CEST

Chances and Limitations of grading handwritten work with AI

Saturday September 19, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CEST

In this workshop, I will share my experience with Noten-Copilot, a GDPR-compliant app that transcribes handwritten student work, converts it into digital text, and assesses it using teacher-defined criteria. IS Hamburg has approved this pilot project, and I’m excited to open this space for shared exploration and professional dialogue.
I dare to say that many teachers find the idea of AI-supported assessment both appealing and intriguing - some may already have experimented with it, just as our students are doing. Together, I would like to explore not only its practical possibilities, but also how meaningful, transparent communication with students and families can be initiated and structured around its use.
Alongside this, we will engage with key questions of professional ethics, student data protection, and privacy, as well as the growing challenge of providing timely, meaningful feedback on increasingly complex student writing in middle and high school. We will reflect on transparency, trust, and the autonomy and professional competence of teachers in the assessment process.
This workshop will present one practical pathway toward fair, efficient, and pedagogically sound assessment of handwritten work - supporting high-quality feedback for students while strengthening sustainable, ethical professional practice for teachers.

Speakers

Andrea Dreyer

Head of Department (Modern Foreign Languages MFL), International School of Hamburg

Before becoming a teacher, I worked in a fast-paced professional environment shaped by tight deadlines, complex workflows, and demanding client expectations. This made me an early adopter of digital tools and someone who enjoys exploring new technologies as practical solutions - not... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CEST
0.241 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Secondary / Middle learners aged 11-16; Secondary / Diploma learners aged 17-18
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

11:15am CEST

From Escalation to Regulation: Practical Strategies for Every Classroom

Saturday September 19, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CEST

In international schools, behavior challenges often present differently than in other contexts. Rather than frequent overt disruption, educators more One-Hour Workshoply encounter anxiety, avoidance, shutdown, perfectionism, and subtle resistance — all of which significantly impact learning.
As Head of Learning Support, I work closely with teachers across grade levels to strengthen Tier 1 classroom practices that support regulation for all students, not just those receiving targeted interventions. This session introduces a practical, research-informed framework that any teacher can use to prevent escalation, respond effectively in the moment, and build emotionally safe, high-rigor learning environments.
Participants will leave with immediately applicable tools, including structured de-escalation protocols, task chunking strategies, and language shifts that reduce power struggles while maintaining clear expectations.
This session is designed for classroom teachers, team leaders, and instructional staff seeking realistic, proactive strategies that work across grade levels and student profiles.

Session Outcome(s)

Participants will:

Understand how regulation impacts academic engagement for all students
Recognize early signs of escalation and quiet dysregulation
Use task chunking to reduce overwhelm without lowering rigor
Shift classroom language to support regulation and accountability
Strengthen Tier 1 practices that prevent behavioral disruption school-wide

Speakers

Viviana Gyori

Head of Learning Support, Franconian International School

I’m the Head of Learning Support and I’m passionate about helping all students feel understood and successful at school. Before this, I worked as a Dean of Students in the USA, where I gained a lot of experience supporting students with behavioral challenges. I enjoy working closely... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CEST
0.226 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

11:15am CEST

Hidden Architecture: Whats driving culture in our organisations?

Saturday September 19, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CEST

This workshop introduces content from Frederic Laloux’s "Reinventing Organizations," comparing traditional organisational hierarchies to modern, "living" ecosystems.

We will explore:
- A timeline of different organisational structures and how they function.
- How our current organisational model impacts culture, from leadership to the classroom.
- What the future may hold for our workplaces and examples of 'change in action'

You’ll leave with a new perspective of your school environment, knowledge on how organisational structure impacts workplaces and ideally, a renewed hope in what is possible for the schools and communities we are a part of.

Speakers

Samuel Vink

Activities Director, International School of Hamburg

I'm an experienced leader working at the International School of Hamburg, where I’ve spent the last four years building and developing our extra-curricular program.
My career so far has included roles in leadership and communication, early childhood education, and change manag... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CEST
0.235 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators; Administrative staff
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

11:15am CEST

The Inclusive Classroom: Supporting Diverse Learners and Students with Disabilities in Core Subjects

Saturday September 19, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CEST

What does an inclusion classroom look like? What does it mean to be inclusive? How do I develop inclusive lesson plans?

Designed for core subject area teachers—including Math, Science, English, Humanities, Music, and the Arts—this session explores practical, classroom-ready strategies for building inclusive learning environments that support students with disabilities and diverse learning needs. Participants will develop a clearer understanding of what an inclusive classroom looks like in practice, including how to embed inclusive principles into everyday teaching and lesson planning.

Speakers

Dr. Candyce Edwards-Allen, Ed.D.

Secondary Learning Support Teacher, Bavarian International School

I am from a big little city called Las Cruces, New Mexico, in the US. I moved to New York City early in my career, where I spent over a decade in the public schools working with diverse learners from all over the world. I am committed to creating classrooms where students feel valued... Read More →

Esme Crocker

Learning Support Teacher, Bavarian International School

Learning Support teacher

Saturday September 19, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CEST
0.225 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Secondary / Middle learners aged 11-16
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

11:15am CEST

Thinking about engagement in STEM

Saturday September 19, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CEST

Description:
This presentation interrogates what we mean when we speak about “engagement” in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) within international school settings. Rather than equating engagement with visible participation or on-task behavior, the session conceptualizes it as a multidimensional construct involving cognitive challenge, emotional resonance, and intellectual agency. It critically examines how engagement is frequently interpreted through observable compliance, while deeper indicators—curiosity, persistence, and epistemic ownership—remain less visible but more consequential.

Drawing on contemporary educational research, the session considers how inquiry-driven pedagogy, authentic problem framing, and interdisciplinary design can foster sustained intellectual investment rather than short-term task completion. Particular attention is given to how teacher assumptions shape classroom structures that either enable or constrain meaningful participation.

Intended Impact:
Participants will leave with a conceptual framework for diagnosing disengagement and rethinking learning design. The session ultimately challenges not only how we teach STEM, but how we define and evaluate student involvement in complex, future-oriented disciplines.

Speakers

Dr Ana Abreu

Teacher of Physics, International School of Bremen

I am a Physics teacher at the International School of Bremen.

Nicola Perfect

Mathematics Coordinator, International School of Bremen

I am the Mathematics coordinator at the International School of Bremen.

Saturday September 19, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm CEST
0.227 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Secondary / Middle learners aged 11-16
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

1:15pm CEST

Better Together: Facilitation That Moves Groups Forward

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST

“Facilitation is creating the conditions for a group to learn from one another, make progress on goals, and accomplish a task.” — Candice Bocala

This session is designed for educators who facilitate professional learning and want to strengthen their ability to design purposeful and impactful meetings. Too often, meetings are seen as routine parts of the school day, yet the way they are designed and led has a direct influence on school culture, collaboration, and collective effectiveness.

Thoughtful meeting design matters. Meetings communicate what a school values. They shape how people listen, contribute, think together, and move work forward. When intentionally facilitated, meetings can build trust, promote inclusion, strengthen collaboration, and create the conditions for shared ownership.

Participants will explore the mindset of an effective facilitator through the lens of Heart, Head, and Hands: leading with emotional awareness and trust, intellectual clarity and focus, and practical strategies that turn dialogue into action.

Participants will leave with practical approaches for leading meetings that better align with the values of effective collaboration.

Speakers

Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini

Head of Middle Leadership, ECIS, the Educational Collaborative for International Schools

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

1:15pm CEST

Beyond Recess: Designing Outdoor Learning Environments for Early Learners

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST

Outdoor spaces in early learning settings are often viewed primarily as areas for recess or free play. However, thoughtfully designed outdoor environments can function as powerful extensions of the classroom, supporting inquiry, creativity, physical development, and cross-curricular learning.
This roundtable will explore how educators can intentionally design and use outdoor spaces as intentional learning environments rather than simply recreational areas. Participants will share experiences, challenges, and practical strategies for transforming school grounds into spaces that support literacy, numeracy, science exploration, and social development.
Through collaborative discussion, educators will consider how outdoor learning environments can encourage student curiosity, sensory exploration, environmental awareness, and authentic learning experiences.

Speakers

Mairim Nsofu

Early Years Coordinator and Teacher, International School of Stuttgart

Mairim “Mai” Nsofu is an international educator with over 20 years of experience teaching early learners, from preschool through grade 2. She currently serves as the Early Years Coordinator at the International School of Stuttgart, following her previous role as a literacy coordinator... Read More →

Stefanie Oesterling

Teacher, International School of Stuttgart

I am a young, passionate educator who values meaningful, inquiry-driven learning. Extending learning beyond the classroom is something that excites me, especially through the use of outdoor spaces and real-world experiences to support deep thinking. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST
0.215 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Early Years learners aged 3-6
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

1:15pm CEST

Bridging Across Differences: Cultivating Intercultural Understanding in Polarised Times

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST

What do we need to consider and be mindful of to bridge affectively as a remedy to our current polarised times? Intercultural development research shows that the ability to hold multiple truths, suspend judgement, and stay curious under tension is learned, practised, and essential in intercultural environments (Bennett, Deardorff). Discover what intercultural competence looks like across a continuum ranging from denial to adaptive. In our current complex times it’s not about staying silent or smoothing things over. Join this session to engage in ways to bridge across differences while navigating and holding onto your integrity and core value.

Speakers

Angeline Aow

Advancing Learning Lead, Berlin International School

Advancing Learning Lead (Strategic Initiatives)

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST
0.237 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

1:15pm CEST

Data in Action: Decisions That Impact Student Growth Through Personalized Learning

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST

This session explores practical strategies for using data to inform instructional decisions and support personalized learning in elementary literacy and mathematics classrooms. Participants will examine how assessment data can guide flexible student groupings, targeted instruction, and the organization of learning spaces and resources to better support student growth.

Drawing on our experience as multi-age teachers, we will share how ongoing assessment, reflective observation, and responsive planning can help teachers address individual learning needs while maintaining curricular and grade-level expectations.

Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own classroom contexts and begin planning ways to apply these strategies in their teaching. Whether working in single-grade or multi-age environments, educators will leave with adaptable approaches for using data to strengthen engagement, personalize learning, and support sustained student success.

Speakers

Molly Schuster

G1/2 Homeroom Teacher, Frankfurt International School

Homeroom teachers at FISW for the past 15 years (combined grades PrePrimary-Grade 4).

Annika Hauswald

G1/2 Homeroom Teacher, Frankfurt International School

To be added later.

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST
0.219 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Elementary/Primary Learners aged 6-11
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

1:15pm CEST

Developing and Implementing an AI Policy

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST

Still navigating the evolving AI landscape and its appropriate application within your school? This session will detail our school's approach to integrating AI, sharing our process, feedback, and key insights. We'll facilitate discussions on the ethical, legal, and educational implications of AI, with a specific focus on the integration of the Gemini AI model within Google Workspace.

Speakers

Jessamine Koenig

Director of Education, International School Augsburg

I am the incoming Director of Education at the International School Augsburg ISA - gAG. I am very excited to be taking on this role and working within the ISA community.

Previously I had been working in leadership roles in China at various schools, including Hangzhou International School and Shanghai Community International School... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST
0.226 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

1:15pm CEST

Empowering Student Agency Through Assessment

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST

Presenters: Soha Saad and Yuni Santosa

This session explores the impact of teacher clarity on student engagement and achievement, particularly within an inquiry-based classroom where direction and agency must coexist. Participants will investigate practical approaches for co-constructing rubrics and checklists with students. The session focuses on how shared understanding enables students to self-assess with accuracy and set intentional learning goals. By involving students in defining success, the focus shifts from teacher-led assessment to student-led growth.

Target Participants

All PYP teachers across year levels and subject areas
Educators interested in assessment, differentiation, and student agency

Speakers

Soha Saad

Soha Saad

PYP Coordinator, International School Ruhr

Yuni Santosa

PYP Coordinator, International School of Stuttgart

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST
0.225 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Early Years learners aged 3-6; Elementary/Primary Learners aged 6-11
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

1:15pm CEST

Supporting Neurodivergent Learners: Strategies for Effective Classroom Management

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST

This workshop is designed for MYP students with practical strategies and approaches for effectively managing classroom behavior and creating a supportive learning environment for neurodivergent learners. Participants will gain insights into the neurodivergent experience, learn evidence-based strategies, engage in activities, and discuss ways to build an inclusive classroom culture that celebrates

Speakers

Kat Kimling

Learning Support teacher, Bavarian International School

Learning Support teacher

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST
0.227 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Secondary / Middle learners aged 11-16
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

1:15pm CEST

Supporting Students with Developing Academic Research Skills (PYP through to DP)

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST

Academic research skills are a core aspect of the IB curriculum from primary (e.g. PYP Exhibition), through middle-school (e.g. MYP Personal Project) all the way to diploma-level (e.g. DP Internal Assessments and Extended Essay). This session explores practical techniques and tools for building students’ research confidence and independence—from guiding students in formulating focused research questions, to supporting them in locating and using reliable, age-appropriate academic sources, and introducing simple approaches to citation and referencing. Participants will also have the opportunity to exchange with others and share best practice. Drawing on academic approaches, the session highlights how we can support students with research skill development, leaving participants with adaptable activities and resources to strengthen students’ ability to find, evaluate, and reference academic research effectively.

Speakers

Julie Mansuy, PhD

Extended Essay Coordinator, Berlin Metropolitan School

Placeholder - more to come soon!

Saturday September 19, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm CEST
0.235 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)
None Groups of Tables

2:30pm CEST

A Powerful Partnership: Inquiry with Student Agency

Saturday September 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CEST

What happens when we stop planning for students and start planning with them? In this interactive session, we share how to transform the inquiry cycle into a dynamic framework for student voice, choice, and ownership. Using authentic examples of student-led discovery, we will demonstrate how to move away from teacher-directed lessons toward a classroom where students help decide the "what, how, and why" of their learning.

Speakers

Amina La Cour

PYP Curriculum Coordinator/Instructional Coach, International School of Hamburg

I recently joined the International School of Hamburg as the PYP Curriculum Coordinator and Instructional Coach. Over the past twenty years, I have had the privilege of serving as both a teacher and leader in international schools across Guatemala, Panama, Vietnam, South Korea, The... Read More →

Preethi Isaac

Grade 3 Homeroom Teacher, International School of Hamburg

An engineer-turned-educator, I bring a problem-solver’s mindset to the classroom. I’m passionate about inquiry-driven, project-based learning that helps students explore big questions and build real understanding.
I taught for 7 years at the American International School of Chennai before moving to the International School of Hamburg, where I continue to focus on engaging, student-centered learning. Coming from a third-generation teaching family, education is both a profession and a legacy... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CEST
0.223 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Elementary/Primary Learners aged 6-11
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

2:30pm CEST

Active Thinking, Active Students: Whiteboard & Discussion Methods That Stick

Saturday September 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CEST

This practical, hands-on session explores simple but powerful routines that make student thinking active, visible, and accountable. Drawing on strategies from Building Thinking Classrooms and TQE (Thoughts, Questions, Epiphanies), participants will experience structures such as standing groups, onemarker protocols, targeted prompts, and short discussion cycles that shift students from passive completion to genuine cognitive engagement. Through modeling, guided practice, and reflection, teachers will see how whiteboards and structured questioning can quickly elevate the quality of student talk, promote productive struggle, and provide immediate formative insights.

Speakers

Elyse Krachman

Senior School English teacher, Munich International School

Senior School English teacher

Saturday September 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CEST
0.245 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Secondary / Diploma learners aged 17-18
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

2:30pm CEST

Digital Citizenship in the Middle Years: A Grade 6 Case Study

Saturday September 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CEST

This workshop is designed to share how Digital Citizenship has been woven into the pastoral and ICT curriculum to support students, focusing on Grade 6. This presentation’s starting point was a survey to gather more awareness of how students use tech, which informed both designing a pastoral unit “Our Digital Lives,” as well revamping the Digital Citizenship components in the ICT curriculum. Further development is being done in the domain of algorithmic literacy, or, pedagogical methods that explore how algorithms influence all aspects of digital life, from online identities to the types of content that young learners are “fed” on social media and online gaming platforms.

We will explore these questions:
-How do students interpret and critique what they see online?
-To what extent do online conversations intervene in classroom socialisation?
-How do we teach younger learners about digital and algorithmic literacy?
-What are the best practices for curriculum development, given the rapid pace of technological change and the continual development of AI?

Speakers

Courtenay Comiskey

Secondary EAL / I&S, Grade 6 Lead Teacher, Leipzig International School

to be added later

Clinton Glenn

Learning Technology Support Specialist, Grade 6 ICT Teacher, Leipzig International School

to be added later

Saturday September 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CEST
0.225 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Secondary / Middle learners aged 11-16
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

2:30pm CEST

Feedback That Improves Teaching: Evidence‑Based Conversations After Lesson Visits

Saturday September 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CEST

High‑quality lesson visits have the potential to significantly improve teaching, but only when the feedback is clear, specific, and directly connected to student learning. Aimed at teachers, Middle Leaders, and those involved in developing teaching and learning, this session reframes observations – or visits – as learning‑focused enquiries rather than performance checks. Together, participants will look closely at how to collect meaningful classroom evidence by noticing what students are doing, saying, writing, and thinking, and how to connect these insights to precise teacher actions that shape learning.

We will model short, effective feedback conversations that identify one high‑leverage next step, avoiding vague praise, generic targets, or overwhelming lists of “areas to improve.” Drawing on research‑informed practice and real classroom examples, this session offers practical tools and scripts that make feedback clearer, calmer, and genuinely developmental. Participants will leave with a simple, sustainable approach to lesson visits that builds trust and leads to lasting improvements in teacher practice.

Speakers

Jordan Wooler

Vice Principal Teaching & Learning / AGIS Rep, Berlin Metropolitan School

Placeholder - coming soon!

Saturday September 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CEST
0.239 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

2:30pm CEST

From Commitment to Coherence: What One International IB School Reveals About Inclusive Practice in 2026

Saturday September 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CEST

This session draws on dissertation research conducted in an international IB World School in Germany to examine how educators and senior leaders understand preparedness for inclusive practice, and which school structures most strongly support or constrain implementation. Focusing on the gap between inclusive values and daily practice, the session explores where inclusive practice appears to rely on individual effort and where greater school-wide coherence may be needed to support diverse learners.

Participants will leave with practical questions and a clear framework for reflection, based on the study’s findings, to help them identify where inclusive practice in their school is well aligned, and where it still relies too heavily on individual effort rather than consistent systems. The session will also point to the Index for Inclusion as one possible tool for whole-school reflection and review.

Speakers

Claudia Freitas

Learning Support teacher, Bavarian International School

I have 35 years of experience in education and have worked in five international schools across five different countries. I am Brazilian and began my career in international education in Brazil. For the past 22 years, I have worked at the Bavarian International School. I hold a bachelor’s... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CEST
0.241 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

4:00pm CEST

From Passive to Participating: Building Inclusive Classrooms

Saturday September 19, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CEST

This workshop aims to support secondary teachers in developing practical, inclusive approaches that increase meaningful student engagement across diverse classroom contexts. The session will begin with a brief overview of key engagement trends and barriers to learning that commonly affect participation, including language load, confidence, neurodiversity, and prior learning experiences.

The workshop will explore how classroom routines, and communication strategies can improve access for all learners. Participants will be introduced to adaptable, cross-curricular strategies that promote low-risk participation, scaffold language and thinking, and explore techniques and structures that enable and encourage students to contribute. The session will then shift to collaborative discussion, allowing teachers from different subject areas to reflect on their own contexts and share effective practice. The overall goal is to strengthen classroom environments where all students feel able, supported, and motivated to participate actively in learning.

Speakers

Eloise Williams

Secondary Drama and English Teacher / CAS Coordinator, Berlin Metropolitan School

Placeholder - more to come soon!

Saturday September 19, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CEST
0.233 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

4:00pm CEST

From Re-reading to Retrieval: Evidence-Based Revision Strategies That Actually Work

Saturday September 19, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CEST

Many students invest hours in revision strategies that feel productive but lead to fragile learning, high anxiety, and rapid forgetting. Cognitive science research shows that some of the most popular techniques-such as re-reading and highlighting-are among the least effective, while less intuitive approaches such as retrieval practice, spacing, and learning through error produce durable understanding and deeper transfer.
In this interactive session, participants will explore key findings from cognitive psychology and neuroscience on how learning really happens. Using concrete classroom examples from secondary and Diploma contexts, the workshop will unpack why testing can be a powerful learning tool, how distributed practice supports long-term retention, and how “getting it wrong” can strengthen understanding rather than undermine confidence.
Participants will critically reflect on their current revision and assessment practices and redesign a learning activity using evidence-based strategies that improve retention, reduce cognitive overload, and support student well-being.

Speakers

Margarita Mechkova

Science Teacher and College Counsellor, Heidelberg International School

To be added by speaker

Saturday September 19, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CEST
0.226 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

4:00pm CEST

Growing Minds: Helping Students Understand and Strengthen Their Executive Function Skills.

Saturday September 19, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CEST

As students move from primary to secondary school, success increasingly depends on more than subject knowledge—it hinges on executive functioning skills such as planning, attention control, working memory, and self-monitoring. In this interactive workshop, we explore how teachers can help students recognize these cognitive processes in themselves and develop strategies to strengthen them. Participants will be introduced to a short, flexible teaching unit on Executive Functions and Brain Development, designed for use in upper primary or lower secondary classrooms. The unit comprises four lessons focusing on: (1) understanding key executive functions; (2) exploring how the prefrontal cortex develops; (3) applying metacognitive thinking to learning tasks; and (4) developing personalized action plans to improve one chosen skill.

Speakers

Carl Andresen

Primary Teacher, Leipzig International School

Alison Schmid

Primary Teacher, Leipzig International School

to be added later

Saturday September 19, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CEST
0.217 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Elementary/Primary Learners aged 6-11
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

4:00pm CEST

Visual Media in Education: Imagining Artificial Intelligence

Saturday September 19, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CEST

Description:
Join me for this interactive session where we will explore the history of artificial intelligence through movies, illustrations, and icons. How people see movies, cartoons, and shows has always shaped AI. From its early days as simple machines to its many forms today, visual media has led to common misunderstandings about what AI really is. The objective of the workshop is to spark ethical debates amongst primary and secondary students and teachers by providing a set of valuable visual resources. The presentation aims to give you engaging ideas for using these learning materials across different school subjects, such as science, tech, history, and art.

Intended Impact:
This interactive workshop empowers international primary and secondary teachers to critically explore how movies and visual media have shaped global perceptions of artificial intelligence, equipping them with practical, cross-curricular resources to spark ethical debates, strengthen media literacy, and foster informed, responsible AI discussions in diverse classrooms.

Speakers

Víctor González, Ph.D.

Teacher of Spanish & Book author, International School of Bremen

I am an experienced language teacher, examiner, and author with expertise in language learning, e-learning, digital media, and world cinema. I combine a strong command of assessment practices and curriculum standards with the ability to design and deliver effective, technology-enhanced... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CEST
0.227 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Secondary / Middle learners aged 11-16
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

5:15pm CEST

A Year-Long Journey: Implementing the PYP Exhibition Through Staged Inquiry

Saturday September 19, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm CEST

Discover how to transform the PYP exhibition from a daunting end-of-year project into an empowering year-long journey of inquiry and action. This session shares a proven, staged approach that builds student agency and produces meaningful community impact.

Starting with exploration of what the exhibition is and connecting to student interests, we progress through identifying local challenges and opportunities. Through reading articles and observing their own neighborhoods, students develop authentic inquiry questions. They then narrow their focus, conduct research through interviews, surveys, and experiments, and design actions that matter to them. The entire school community becomes involved, creating a powerful sense of collective purpose—especially meaningful in small school settings.

This staged process ensures students take genuine ownership while maintaining manageable pacing, resulting in presentations that reflect deep inquiry and authentic action.

Speakers

Jessee Müller

Grade 5 Teacher, International School Ruhr

A big part of my work, both in the classroom and as a former PYP Coordinator and Head of Primary, has been the Exhibition. I have lived with it from almost every angle: as a mentor, as the teacher who took over a cohort midway through, as the coordinator supporting from the outside... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm CEST
0.221 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Elementary/Primary Learners aged 6-11
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

5:15pm CEST

Explicit Teaching in Practice - Teaching Writing Explicitly

Saturday September 19, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm CEST

A practical session with examples, takeaways and materials designed to be integrated into everyday
teaching. This session will build upon theories of explicit teaching and visual learning to demonstrate
how strategies can be used to improve student writing across disciplines.

Speakers

Tayla McGregor

DP Psychology & TOK Teacher, MYP Humanities, Bavarian International School

DP Psychology & TOK Teacher, MYP Humanities,

Saturday September 19, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm CEST
0.245 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Secondary / Middle learners aged 11-16; Secondary / Diploma learners aged 17-18
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)
None Groups of Tables

5:15pm CEST

Small Voices, Big Choices: Cultivating Student Agency in the Lower PYP

Saturday September 19, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm CEST

This session explores how student agency can be meaningfully nurtured in the Early Years and lower Primary Years Programme through everyday classroom practice. Participants will examine how choice, voice, and ownership can be embedded in routines, play experiences, and inquiry-based learning in developmentally appropriate ways. The session highlights the role of the teacher in balancing guidance and independence, creating conditions where young learners actively participate in decisions about their learning. Through reflection and practical examples, educators will consider how small, intentional shifts in practice can strengthen engagement, confidence, and learner ownership in the early years

Speakers

Dimitra Kagianza

International School of Ruhr

Saturday September 19, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm CEST
0.215 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Early Years learners aged 3-6; Elementary/Primary Learners aged 6-11
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

5:15pm CEST

Unlocking the Power of Data: Insights and Collaboration for Educators

Saturday September 19, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm CEST

The AGIS Data Usage Working Group aims to create a collaborative space for educators to explore how different types of data can be used thoughtfully to support student learning and inform school improvement. Participants will have the opportunity to share practices from their schools, discuss approaches to collecting and interpreting data, and reflect on how data can meaningfully inform teaching, learning, and decision-making. The group will also serve as a network for ongoing collaboration among AGIS educators. We hope to begin this work with our first face-to-face meeting at the upcoming AGIS Conference.

Learning OutcomesParticipants will deepen their understanding of data-informed practice and gain insights into how different schools collect, organize, and use data to support student learning. The working group aims to foster collaboration across AGIS schools, encourage reflective dialogue around data use, and support educators in developing practical approaches for using data to inform teaching, learning, and school development.Participants will deepen their understanding of data-informed practice and gain insights into how different schools collect, organize, and use data to support student learning. The working group aims to foster collaboration across AGIS schools, encourage reflective dialogue around data use, and support educators in developing practical approaches for using data to inform teaching, learning, and school development.

Speakers

Merve Korkmaz

Lower School Assistant Principal, International School of Stuttgart

Merve Korkmaz is an experienced international school leader with over 16 years in education. Her work focuses on curriculum design, leadership development, and school improvement, and she is known for bridging strategic vision with practical classroom practice to support sustainable... Read More →

Vedran Kapetanovic

Upper School Assistant Principal, International School of Stuttgart

Saturday September 19, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm CEST
0.241 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

One-Hour Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

AGIS Conference 2026 Potsdam

From €156.89