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As educators, we are constantly looking for frameworks that bridge theory and practice, tools that ground our daily classroom decisions in solid developmental science. Reading through the 12 Principles of Child Development and Learning published by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC, 2020), two core principles immediately stood out to me as vital pillars for supporting young learners: Play as a primary vehicle for development and learning The.

In a check in meeting my Head of School he asked me how things were going and I told him great, (I wasn’t going to be the first person he fired). After all the nicities what happened next reshaped how I see leadership. After I shared my story about how I became an educator and all the places my feet have led me he then asked me, "What can the school do for you?”. ,”How can we support you in achieving your professional goals?” “What will help you THRIVE?” In that moment all a

From Zimbabwe to The World My pathway to international education has been paved with what many of us call "war stories and scars." But the future does not have to look like the past. In international school education It is important to build an ecosystem where Black African educators are intentionally seen, sponsored, and positioned to thrive. Relational Trust and Psychological Safety are non-negotiables, it is important to prioritise empathetic listening and open-minded enga

This is from my very first post in 2011... In my attempt to create a space on my blog dedicated especially to the people who nurtured and cared for me when I was a child, I found that as an African, you can almost include everyone. In African culture, you have so many fathers, so many mothers, and so many brothers—all who nurture and care for you. The lady in the market, my mum's sisters, and her friends all played the role of mother. I then realised I had to narrow this down

Theatre's Enduring Contribution to Conflict Transformation and Community Restoration (Reflections from My Restorative Practices Training this week) It's hilariously poetic how life circles back? Two decades after diving deep into my first dissertation on theatre for conflict transformation in Zimbabwe with Savanna Trust, here I am—fresh off Restorative 360 Degree Training for Restorative Practices in Education. Yes, I am still refining those same ideas and this time I have si

Scholars such as Ruggs and Hebl (2012), Delpit (1995), and Onore (1992) challenge educators to rethink classroom practices for greater equity. This essay explores how reframing educational topics empowers teachers to amplify students' cultural voices, fostering awareness and inclusion. Modern pedagogy demands ongoing curriculum negotiation to meet diverse learner needs, with student voice at its core. Teachers must create platforms where learners actively contribute, moving b

Embarking on a PhD journey is both challenging and rewarding. One of the most crucial moments for me was the proposal submission. The ideas of my research plan facing scrutiny and feedback was daunting. This stage also comes with a wave of opportunity, it offered me a chance to sharpen my focus and build confidence around Arts based thinking and Arts research. The submission of my PhD proposal on culturally responsive drama pedagogies in international middle schools marked

In today’s classrooms, diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness are not optional add-ons they are essential. Scholars like Ruggs & Hebl (2012), Delpit (1998), and Onore (1992) remind us that teaching is not just about delivering content; it’s about rethinking how we frame topics so that learners’ voices are heard, valued, and connected to their cultural identities. Reframing Topics: Giving Students a Voice Modern teaching demands more than periodic student comments. It ca

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a a game-changer in supporting in my exploration and delivery of culturally responsive drama curricula. I find I am able to offer personalised learning that honors diverse student identities with more ease. In my Middle Years Programme (MYP) Drama , AI helps craft materials, resources, and activities attuned to multifaceted cultural narratives demonstrated in my classroom, thus fostering deeper engagement and affirming learners' creativ

Transforming AI Chatbots for a Brainstorming Teaching Technique of Process Writing Karanjakwut, C. & Charunsri, K. (2025). Transforming ai chatbots for a brainstorming teaching technique of process writing. Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Technology, 13(1), 1-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.52380/mojet.2025.13.1.559 Research Paper Takeaway Traditional Brainstorming Techniques: Methods: Freewriting, mind mapping, listing (Campbell & Ballenger, 2009; Rao, 2007). Benefits:

Embarking on a PhD journey has been a complex process filled with moments of discovery, challenge, and growth not to mention the imposter syndrome (shhhhh). When the focus is on arts-based pedagogy within culturally diverse educational settings, the path becomes even more intricate and my passion is even more heightened. Occassionally, my posts will explores and document my experience with pursuing a PhD that has a specific emphasis on drama education and culturally responsiv

This presentation marks one of my earliest forays into applied educational research, a foundational brick in my fascination with supporting learners' academic success by borrowing from my Theatre Arts background. The Psychology of Learning Spaces: My Journey Staging A-Level Literature Classrooms As educator with a background in theatre and curriculum design , I've always seen the classroom as a stage where environment sets the scene for learners to perform their best. In they

Engaging students in meaningful analysis of literature often proves challenging. Many of my learners struggle to move beyond surface-level understanding and fail to connect deeply with the text. The Socratic Seminar method offered my learners and me a solution by encouraging critical dialogue and reflection, helping them explore complex ideas in a collaborative setting. This approach activated their prior knowledge and promoted deeper learning, especially in studying challeng

Teaching is more than delivering facts or following a curriculum. It is about shaping minds, inspiring creativity, and nurturing critical thinking. My teaching philosophy centers on arts-based thinking , a powerful approach that integrates artistic processes into learning to deepen understanding and foster innovation. This post shares my personal journey with arts-based thinking and explains why it is essential in education today. An arts-driven classroom sparks creativity, c

Silence is golden... For a long time, I believed that the mark of a good teacher was a silent classroom-students sitting quietly at their...

I recently led an exciting and transformative project that brought together my Grade 8 Drama students and the Deaf Sign Alliance in...

In the realm of arts education, the pursuit of professional development is a vital aspect of honing one's craft and staying attuned to...

In the realm of education, there is a growing recognition of the powerful combination of arts education and English language teaching....

In the realm of education, the intersection of arts education and English language learning has garnered increasing attention and...