By providing a forum for cooperative learning and professional development, ISCO has brought Omani educators together around a common goal: promoting innovation, diversity, and quality in education.
MUSCAT : ABA Oman International School proudly hosted the inaugural International Schools Conference of Oman (ISCO), bringing together over 600 educators from across the county for an extraordinary professional development experience. Themed “Navigating the New Normal,” ISCO showcased a diverse exploration of seven essential educational tracks: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB); Sustainability; Flexible Spaces; Distributed Leadership; Health and Wellness; Safeguarding; and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Commenting on the significance of the conference, ABA Head of School, Mr. Craig Williamson, who spearheaded the ISCO initiative, remarked, “This conference represents a significant milestone in our commitment to educational excellence in Oman. We are grateful to the Ministry of Education for their leadership and guidance. ISCO was envisioned as a platform for educators across the Sultanate to engage in meaningful knowledge-sharing, skill enhancement, and professional collaboration. It has been inspiring to witness such a dynamic exchange of ideas that will undoubtedly enrich our schools, contribute to the advancement of education in Oman, and ultimately directly benefit our students. By empowering teachers with new perspectives and innovative practices, we are enhancing the learning experience and supporting our students’ growth in a rapidly evolving world.”
The conference opened with an engaging keynote address by Mr. Anthony Copeland, Technology Integrator at the American School of Dubai and author of ChatGPT for Teaching and Learning. In his presentation, “Human-Centered AI in Education – Responsible Innovation for Technology Enriched Schools,” Mr. Copeland highlighted AI’s potential to make learning more personalized and accessible. He urged everyone to adopt AI thoughtfully, with a focus on fairness and ethics, to ensure these tools enrich learning without compromising core values of inclusivity and equity.
ISCO participants engaged in a variety of sessions tailored to meet the evolving needs of educators today. Workshops included “AI Policies for the School and Classroom,” providing a structured approach to responsible AI integration, and “Strategies for Effective Student Interaction,” equipping teaching assistants with advanced techniques for classroom engagement, “Leveraging Media Spaces,” showcasing digital media innovations, and “Zones of Regulation,” exploring flexible classroom designs to support diverse learning needs. Some of the other sessions offered were on Robotics, Approaches to Learning, Universal Design for Learning, Appraisal and Professional Growth, Tools for Effective Leadership, Peer Mentoring, Social-Emotional Learning, Wellbeing, Integrating Sustainability, and The AI Toolbox, to name a few, providing a comprehensive platform for skill enhancement and professional growth.
ISCO Coordinator, Jennifer Demellweek, shared her thoughts on the conference’s impact: “ISCO has offered educators in Oman a unique platform for professional development and meaningful learning opportunities. Through shared experiences and best practices, the conference has enabled Muscat schools to form strong partnerships and establish connections that go beyond professional collaboration—building genuine friendships and a supportive community of colleagues.”
“The positive feedback from our delegates has been truly inspiring,” she added. “Educators have appreciated the depth and variety of sessions, the relevance of the topics covered, and the openness of the discussions. This overwhelmingly enthusiastic response energizes us, and we are excited to keep the momentum going, fostering a network that will continue to support growth, innovation, and collaboration within the education sector here in Oman.”
In addition to academic sessions, ISCO introduced ‘Job Alike’ meetings—collaborative sessions where professionals in similar roles shared insights, discussed challenges, and exchanged best practices. These sessions fostered a collaborative spirit among Muscat educators, paving the way for ongoing partnerships and open communication.
A notable highlight of ISCO was the parallel track designed for non-academic and support staff, which included a Google workshop led by certified trainers Katie Steen and Stefan Wäschenfelder. Catering to both beginner and advanced users, the sessions empowered educators to leverage the latest Google tools for enhanced teaching practices. Additionally, ABA’s Aquatics team provided a comprehensive First Aid and CPR course, while the British School Muscat team led essential safeguarding training, underscoring ISCO’s holistic approach to professional development across all staff roles.
The conference saw an impressive number of schools coming together to collaborate, including ABA Oman International School, British School Muscat, The American International School of Muscat, Al Sahwa Schools, Al Batinah International School, Cheltenham Muscat, Downe House Muscat, Ellesmere Muscat International School, Hay Al Sharooq International School, Knowledge Gate International School, New World International School, Digital Private School, Our Planet International School, PDO School, Royal Grammar School Guildford Muscat, The Sultan’s School, International French School of Muscat, Azzan Bin Qais International School, Finland Oman School, TLC Oman International School, and United Private Schools.
ISCO has facilitated a platform for collaborative learning and professional growth, uniting educators across Oman in a shared mission to drive innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in education.
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