SkyGems Academy

We are pleased to introduce you to our very special, charismatic and distinguished guest speaker for SkyGems Academy Podcast Series 1 Episode 6 – Ummesalma Rizvi or better known as Salma.

Here’s some key highlights of Salma’s sterling track records:

Salma is currently the Executive Principal Shijiazhuang Hanlin International School at Shijiazhuang, China.

Salma believes in teamwork and as a leader she works in a close relation with her peers. She is a quick learner and a follower of the instructions and which she receives from her leadership. She possesses adequate skills in self-organization. She introduces herself as a learner, educator and an innovator in teaching and learning and believes that when a teacher enters the classroom then learning begins as a two-way process in which both children and the teacher are actively involved.

Salma strongly believes that a leader must not only be a qualified person in a specific field but should possess the passion of lifelong learning to benefit his people. A leader holds manifold responsibilities and every single piece of responsibility pairs with some challenges at the same time. Being a leader, one needs to understand the working environment thoroughly and should prepare himself to deal with all these challenges with a broad vision.

Salma believes that as a school leader, one must focus on the two specific factors i.e. students’ success rate and teachers’ further development. To focus on these two key factors, a leader should establish rapport with both students and teachers as students’ success is conditional to outstanding teaching and an outstanding teaching comes from those educators and teachers who strive for brining quality and diversity in their teaching style.

Salma sense of humor helps her solving many problems that a leader encounters while dealing with different day-to-day affairs. Umm-e- Salma is a nature-lover. She possesses great aesthetic sense and enjoys glass painting, oil painting, flower making, baking, interior decoration and playing guitar in her spare time.

I quote and unquote Salma :

“It is very important to pay attention on those life skills, and learning those life skills, which students can also practice at home with the help of the advice, with the help of the families, with the help of other friends. " Ummesalma Rizvi.

Now, let’s tune in to SkyGems Academy Podcast Episode 6 for Ummesalma Rizvi’s Podcast.

SkyGems Academy Podcast Series 1 – How Covid-19 Transformed the Education Industry. We’ve interviewed 40 exclusive educators and leaders in the education industry worldwide starting with China where the pandemic initially started.

Our 6th distinguished speaker in SkyGems Academy Podcast is Ummesalma Rizvi from Shijiazhuang, China. Ummesalma is better known as Salma.

Salma was at Dali a small city in Yunnan at that time of Covid-19 outbreak in China. She  clearly remembered that it was 17th of January when she heard the condition in Wuhan. She was posting on WeChat moments and asking for people to pray for Wuhan.

All of a sudden, within a few weeks, it had started to spread like a wild fire in the jungle. And then the whole country basically, it quickly became  epidemic and now a global pandemic.

“I think Covid-19 has changed everything in the education industry in terms of curriculum, training, training procedures, teachers’ personal pedagogies and their own teaching methodologies in an on-line classroom or in an off-line classroom, that’s changed everything." said Salma.

Tune in to SkyGems Academy Podcast Episode 6 for more interesting insights and sharing from our outstanding and distinguished speaker.

Presenting… Salma!

We are pleased to introduce you to our charismatic and distinguished guest speaker for SkyGems Academy Podcast Series 1 Episode 5 – Dike Felix O.

Here’s some key highlights of Felix’s sterling track records:

Dike Felix O is a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and currently a researcher at Fudan University, Shanghai China where he is developing a model that explains how managers, policy makers and researchers can use transformational learning to promote environmental sustainability practices among individuals and in different societies.

Felix also has experience in educational test and assessment. For example, he had developed a manual for assessing psycho-moto ICT (Information and Communication Technology) competencies for Junior Secondary School three (JS3) students in Enugu State, Nigeria. He is passionate about topics and educational contents that promotes critical thinking and pro-environmental behavior change for sustainability.

In his leisure time, Felix likes playing football, reading articles and travelling.

I quote and unquote Dike Felix :

“The world has moved on. The new normal is you have to flow with the change. You have to simply adapt. "

Now, let’s tune in to SkyGems Academy Podcast Episode 5 for Dike Felix’s Podcast.

SkyGems Academy Podcast Series 1 – How Covid-19 Transformed the Education Industry. We’ve interviewed 40 exclusive educators and leaders in the education industry worldwide starting with China where the pandemic initially started.

Our 5th distinguished speaker in SkyGems Academy Podcast is Dike Felix from Nsukka, Nigeria.

Felix was in Shanghai, China when Coronavirus first came to light in China. Felix is still in Shanghai and has been living through different phases of the pandemic situation in Shanghai.

In Episode 5 of SkyGems Academy Podcast, Felix will be sharing his personal experiences, ideas and view points during the different phases of the Covid-19 pandemic and his views on the future of education.

I quote and unquote Dike Felix:

“I will call it ‘getting comfortable with change’. It’s very important and this is the key to overcome challenges.”

Tune in to SkyGems Academy Podcast Episode 5 for more interesting insights and sharing from our outstanding and distinguished speaker Dike Felix.

Presenting… Dike Felix !

We are pleased to introduce you to our charismatic and distinguished guest speaker for SkyGems Academy Podcast Series 1 Episode 4 – Rob Champion.

Here’s some key highlights of Rob’s amazing track records:

Rob Champion is current Head of Faculty of English and Humanities at Straits International School (Rawang) in Malaysia. He is a highly experienced school leader and IB examiner with extensive leadership experience in international education having taught in schools around the globe including; Peru, Czechia, Jordan, Sri Lanka, and the UK.

In his private time Rob is working on his first novel, is a published poet, and has represented Peru at international cricket as both player and manager.

I quote and unquote Rob Champion :

" It is so important that we give them those skills, not just the academic skills but the skills that they need for life. Maybe those 21st century skills and  those ever present basic human skills of your own humanity and empathy and general kindness to people."

Without further ado, let’s tune in to SkyGems Academy Podcast Episode 4 for Rob Champion’s Podcast.

SkyGems Academy Podcast Series 1 – How Covid-19 Transformed the Education Industry. We’ve interviewed 40 exclusive educators and leaders in the education industry worldwide starting with China where the pandemic initially started.

Our 4th distinguished speaker in SkyGems Academy Podcast is Rob Champion based in Rawang, Malaysia.

Rob was in Malaysia from the beginning of the pandemic and has been through different phases of the pandemic situation in Malaysia.

In Episode 4 of SkyGems Academy Podcast, Rob will be sharing his personal experiences, ideas and view points during the different phases of the Covid-19 pandemic and his views on the future of education.

I quote and unquote Rob Champion:

“Life can change at any moment. Life is short. So make the most of the opportunities that you have been presented with, because tomorrow, you might be stuck at home..”

Tune in to SkyGems Academy Podcast Episode 4 for more interesting insights and sharing from our outstanding and distinguished speaker Rob Champion.

Presenting… Rob Champion !

We are pleased to introduce you to our charismatic and distinguished guest speaker for SkyGems Academy Podcast Series 1 Episode 3 – Aaron Wise.

Here’s some key highlights of Aaron’s outstanding track records.

Aaron is an international school principal who has led schools to see great success in Australia, Hong Kong, and Beijing. He also works as a consultant to principals and schools around the world and is co-author of the book “The Focused Principal”.

Aaron is a firm believer that a person’s character will determine their success above all else. Because of this, schools have a responsibility to promote not only academic success but also those things which genuinely matter for each student’s future. Aaron sees this character development as not only crucial for students on a personal level, but also for countries as a whole as they tackle national and global problems.

In his spare time, Aaron competes in Ironman triathlons and enjoys travelling the world to meet new people and experience different cultures.

Be sure to check out Aaron’s new book which he has co-authored “The Focus Principal.” A special shout out to you Aaron, “CONGRATULATIONS!”

I quote and unquote Aaron Wise :

" People had the chance to shine and had the chance to show their worst as well. And it just highlighted for me, again, how important character is, how important great mindset is. How we do handle normal situation and how we especially handle adversity when it does come. "

Now, let’s tune in to SkyGems Academy Podcast Episode 3 for Aaron Wise’s Podcast.

SkyGems Academy Podcast Series 1 – How Covid-19 Transformed the Education Industry. We’ve interviewed 40 exclusive educators and leaders in the education industry worldwide starting with China where the pandemic initially started.

Our 3rd distinguished speaker in SkyGems Academy Podcast is Aaron Wise based in Beijing, China.

In Episode 3 of SkyGems Academy Podcast, Aaron will be sharing his personal experiences, ideas and view points during the different phases of the Covid-19 pandemic and his views on the future of education.

Aaron was in Beijing during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic back in January 2020. Aaron spent a period of time in Romania and now in USA and is looking forward to return to Beijing once possible. Tune in to Episode 3 of SkyGems Academy Podcast. Listen to Aaron share interesting insights and stories on how he managed and adapted to remote and online management of the school, students and parents from miles away.

Aaron Wise said, and I quote:

“The good and the bad had really been a function of people’s character, people’s mindset and that’s being highlighted during this time.”

Be sure to check out Aaron’s new book which he has co-authored “The Focus Principal.” A special shout out to you Aaron, “CONGRATULATIONS!”

Tune in to SkyGems Academy Podcast Episode 3 for more interesting insights and sharing from our outstanding and distinguished speaker Aaron Wise.

Presenting… Aaron Wise !

We are pleased to introduce you to our charismatic and distinguished guest speaker for SkyGems Academy Podcast Series 1 Episode 2 – Evan Hunt.

Here’s some key highlights of Evan’s sterling track records.

Evan Hunt has spent twenty years teaching and working in schools in the United States, Latin America, and Asia. He is currently the Principal - Head of School at Beanstalk International Bilingual School in Beijing, China. Previously he served as Head of School in Guatemala.

In both settings he was able to use his experience to support the needs of bilingual and bi-cultural communities. Evan is passionate about helping unlock the full potential of a very diverse group of students.

From 2013 - 2015 he was a High School Principal in Shanghai and from 2008 - 2013 an Elementary Principal in Mexico City. He has experience with both the IB Diploma and PYP Programs and overseeing athletics. Evan has a Masters in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University and recently completed a Fellowship at Columbia in New York. He is a strong believer that children learn best when teachers not only support their student’s academic needs but they also focus on helping them develop socially and emotionally.

Evan resides in Colorado Springs when he is not overseas, and has two children Ana Alicia who is in Grade 10 and George who is in Grade 7.

I quote and unquote Evan Hunt :

"One of the words that I always use to describe a modern teacher is they really have to be a coach, a mentor and a whole lot of it."

Well guys, tune in to Evan's Podcast exclusively streamed on SkyGems Academy Podcast. Listen to Evan speaks passionately about his passions in life, impact of Covid-19 in the education industry and his key messages to our listeners and future generations.

Without further ado, let’s tune in to SkyGems Academy Podcast Episode 2 for Evan Hunt’s Podcast.

SkyGems Academy Podcast Series 1 – How Covid-19 Transformed the Education Industry. We’ve interviewed 40 exclusive educators and leaders in the education industry worldwide starting with China where the pandemic initially started.

Our 2nd distinguished speaker in SkyGems Academy Podcast is Evan Hunt based in Beijing, China.

In Episode 2 of SkyGems Academy Podcast, Evan will be sharing his personal experiences, ideas and view points during the different phases of the Covid-19 pandemic and his views on the future of education.

Evan was in Beijing throughout Covid-19 and witnessed the pandemic unfolding since early January 2020.

Here’s a quote from Evan:

“I really think that the new normal is an opportunity for us to take a look at really what matters to us the most and that obviously comes back to the social-emotional connections we talked about. And it also comes back to the word ‘change’ and ‘adaptability’.”

Be sure to tune in to SkyGems Academy Podcast Episode 2 for more interesting insights and sharing from our charismatic and distinguished speaker Evan Hunt.

Presenting… Evan Hunt!