SMART TEACHERS EMERGING LEADER PROGRAMME

Are you a new or aspiring leader? Would you like to know if being a leader is for you?

Being a leader is highly rewarding, however it is a complex and multifaceted role which can quickly become overwhelming and stressful if not expertly managed.   In this course we will explore ideas that will put you in the right direction on your leadership journey.

Becoming an effective leader takes time and experience and this course will give you a “kick start” by showing you some deliberate acts of leadership which will help make being a leader more rewarding and fun. We will also give you some important tips on how to look after your own well-being as a leader and strategies to build a positive team culture within your setting.

The course is highly interactive and will include a lot of discussion to help you, together with your fellow participants, build an understanding of effective leadership and its challenges. It will give you practical ideas and frameworks that you can take home and put into practice straight away.

Course activities include:

• Working together and using frameworks to build and support effective teamwork.
• Exploring ideas on how to run successful meetings.
• Increasing awareness of where or how things may go wrong.
• Exploring well-being and motivation strategies for leaders.
• Examining ways to build a culture where people can thrive.
• Trying out frameworks for challenging conversations.
• Looking at various leadership styles and what they mean to you and your team.

COURSE AIMS:

• To gain access to and confidence in a range of core leadership skills.
• To increase awareness of your own leadership style and the impact it has on others.
• To learn how to adapt a leadership style to the changing needs of a team and setting.
• To promote a range of strategies which cultivate a positive working culture within your setting.
• To develop confidence in using frameworks for difficult conversations and an awareness of how positive culture makes these conversations easier.
• To become familiar with a range of strategies to manage stress and nurture your own well-being as a leader.
• To discover your voice and how influence your organisation positively.
• To have fun, share experiences and learn from like-minded teachers from different countries.
• To gain a support network of colleagues from around Europe and beyond.

OUTSTANDING TRAINERS:

This course is run by Christine Brown, a New Zealander with 25 years’ experience in school leadership.  She has a Master’s degree in Education: Leadership and Professional Development and has continued to nurture her professional learning throughout her career; working with and being inspired by many fabulous people

One of her numerous roles has been as Lead Principal for a geographical cluster of 10 schools in New Zealand, (Te Kāhui Ako o Tarkākā).  These schools work closely together for the benefit of all students as they navigate their schooling from five years old to 18 years old. 

Her latest position was as the principal of a large Intermediate school Rāroa Normal Intermediate (11–13-year-old students).  A mainstream school that also has an important role in teacher training; supporting the theory taught at Victoria University of Wellington with practical learning. Christine was also a member of the New Zealand National Executive for teacher training schools. 

Despite retiring from principalship, Christine is continuing with her passion to work with and help develop leadership in others. Her main focus is to help budding leaders have fun, navigate complexity and manage stress while developing school cultures that enable all to thrive.

Christine divides her time between her home in New Zealand, and Iceland where her children and grandchildren live.  In her early 20s Christine decided to see some of the world which eventually took her to Iceland. During the 80s and 90s Christine lived in Iceland for 13 years before returning to New Zealand. During her time in Iceland, she learned to speak Icelandic and continues to practice and build on this today.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE EDUCATION SECTOR:

This course offers learning opportunities for teachers and school staff across the education sector including: Kindergarten; Primary; Secondary; Adult education; Special Needs; Teaching assistants; School management; Vocational education; Higher education; and Student teachers.

VISIT ICELANDIC SCHOOLS:

As part of the course and with your Icelandic hosts, you will have the opportunity to visit Icelandic schools at each educational stage. You will witness, first-hand, how Iceland, with only 330,000 inhabitants, produces so many well-known athletes and artists. You will see how outdoors, sport and practical subjects, such as home economics, woodwork and art, are given the same priority as academic subjects at all stages of education.

SHARING GOOD PRACTICE AND NETWORKING:

We also provide the opportunity to share good practice during the course so we can learn from each other and find partners for future projects: KA1 projects, job shadowing opportunities and/or KA229 projects.

TEACHER WELL-BEING:

One of our priorities while you spend your valuable time with us in Iceland is your well-being. Every teacher is important to us and we want you to feel valued and comfortable throughout your stay. As well as the extra activities we provide as part of the course fee (see below), we work hard to ensure you have a really good time. We ensure lots of team-building and “get to know you” activities from day one and our courses are dynamic and fun-packed. We are genuine Icelandic hosts so you will get the real Icelandic experience and we are renowned to look after our teachers really well.

AS PART OF THE COURSE WE ALSO PROVIDE:

• Morning refreshments
• Cultural evening
• Visit to the local swimming pool and hot tubs
• Course material
• Certificate of attendance

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND SIGHTSEEING:

Join us on our own tailor-made local tour of amazing Iceland with our SMART TEACHERS PLAY MORE TOUR PACKAGE for both participants and their families! A great way to enjoy the wonders of Iceland, network and get to know your new European friends.

ACCOMMODATION:

Don’t miss out on our EXCLUSIVE PARTICIPANT DISCOUNT VOUCHERS for a brand new trendy hotel we work with close to our course centre!

COURSE DATES:

03.03.2024 > 09.03.2024 CONFIRMED

18.08.2024 > 24.08.2024 CONFIRMED

13.10.2024 > 19.10.2024 CONFIRMED

20.04.2025 > 26.04.2025

20.07.2025 > 26.07.2025

17.08.2025 > 23.08.2025

09.11.2025 > 15.11.2025