International Educator / PYP Workshop Leader /
Curriculum Coordinator
RESUME
professional ​
summary
I have worked in various roles in my career, as a class teacher, curriculum coordinator, and administrator. Through this range of experience in different schools I have become familiar with the International Baccalaureate's (IB) standards and practices, referring to these extensively during initial implementation of the PYP, preparation for authorisation and evaluation visits, and in the development of school policies and curriculum. I have also been afforded multiple opportunities to work collaboratively with different groups of people, as well as facilitate IB PYP workshops on a variety of topics.
Current Inquiries:
I am currently a member of the Lanning & Erickson CBCI Institute, aiming to become a Concept Based Curriculum and Instruction trainer by July 2024. I am also inquiring into the Council of International Schools' Accreditation Process, training to become a CIS Evaluator.
work​
experience​
PYP Coordinator & Learning Support Teacher
International School of Busan
Republic of Korea
​2022- Current
As a member of the Educational Leadership Team I work closely with the other IB coordinators and the principals to ensure the vertical articulation of the curriculum and its alignment to our whole school goals. As a pedagogical leader, I collaborate with the teachers in the Elementary School, facilitating the development of our concept-based, inquiry driven programme. As a learner support teacher I continue to have opportunities to work directly with students in the classroom.
Campus des Nations, International School of Geneva​2013 - 2022
As the PYP Technology for Learning Coordinator I work collaboratively with teaching teams from Reception to Year 6 and the Primary Leadership team to facilitate the integration of appropriate technologies to support and enhance learning and teaching. I assist teachers with their professional development in utilising technology effectively with their students and have opportunities to work with students directly in classes and through our coding, robotics and Minecraft clubs.
Canadian International School of Hong Kong
​2010 - 2013
As an upper elementary PYP teacher, I strive to create a place for students to engage in authentic inquiry; where they are supported and challenged to become independent and self-aware learners, empowered to tackle problems collaboratively in creative ways.

​In my role as team leader I facilitate the development of our units of inquiry to ensure they are transdisciplinary and concept driven. Through close collaboration with my colleagues and our school’s PYP Coordinators, we have reviewed each unit, assessing them against descriptors in Making the PYP Happen, reflecting on how well the essential elements are being addressed and assessed, and revising where necessary.
Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa, Kenya
​2005 - 2010
Though initially hired as a Grade 4 teacher, I was soon leading literacy initiatives within the school, working closely with the PYP Coordinator and Junior School Management Team to prepare for our PYP Authorisation. I then was appointed Deputy Principal of the Junior School and later, spent my last two years working as the Dean of Studies. In this role I worked closely with the PYP, MYP and DP Coordinators to ensure that the IB standards and practices were reflected in our programmes. In addition to curriculum development, as a member of the Senior Management Team, one of my key responsibilities was professional development, where I led numerous workshops to facilitate a paradigm shift; from one-off, event driven PD to that of a professional learning community.
As a Grade 3 teacher and Grade 2 & 3 team leader, my mandate was to facilitate a change in practice, from traditional methods to a more student centred, inquiry-based model. Working with my team we created SMART goals to guide this shift and support colleagues in taking risks as they explored new pedagogical practices.
It was here that I was first introduced to the PYP and as the Grade 1-3 team leader facilitated the development and implementation of our first units of inquiry once we became a candidate school. As a Grade 3 teacher, I continued to develop my own practice, exploring how to transform the theory of the PYP into my classroom reality.
professional development​
As a committed and life-long learner, I continue to attend conferences, workshops and take online courses to grow both personally and professionally.
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Lanning & Erickson CBCI Institute, 2023-2024
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Universal Design for Learning, Explore & Apply, HGSE, 2023
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The Role of the Coordinator, IBEN, 2022
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SENIA Level 1 Certification, 2022
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Instructional Leadership Certificate, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2021-2023
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Welcoming Diversity: A programme for international schools, National Coalition Building Institute, 2021-2021
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IBEN Programme Standards and Practices Online Course, 2020
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Approaches to Learning, IB Continuum, 2019
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Growing Communities of Practice, IBEN, 2018
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Creating Cultures of Thinking, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2018
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The Learning Environment and Inquiry, IB PYP, 2017
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Pedagogy of Play, Harvard Project Zero, 2017
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Leadership Tools for International School Teacher Leaders, Teacher Leader Institute, 2017
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Pedagogical Leadership in the PYP, 2017
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Concept Based Learning with Lynn Erickson, 2014
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Building for the Future
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Introduction to the PYP
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Making the PYP Happen: Implementing Agency
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Evidencing Learning in the PYP
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The Role of ICT in the PYP
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Digital Citizenship
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Encouraging Children's Creative Instincts in the Classroom
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Transdisciplinary Learning
​
Class of 2011, Vietnam
Global Institute, Cork Ireland, 2012
From former colleagues
"Jennifer truly models herself as a risk-taker; she is always willing to try new ideas with the focus being student learning."
Former Vice Principal,Canadian International School of Hong Kong
"...I consider her to be an outstanding educator and leader and a highly committed professional."
Former PYP Coordinator, Canadian International School of Hong Kong
"Jennifer leads by example...an outstanding PYP practitioner...models the Learner Profile in her actions and interrelationships with parents, teacher and students..."
Former Junior School Principal, Aga Khan Academy
"...hard-working, intelligent and extremely knowledgeable about curriculum...she played a major role in insuring the Academy became authorised to offer the PYP... I give her the highest of recommendations..."
Former Head of School, Aga Khan Academy
2010 - present
2010 - present