SkyGems Academy

Glenn van Zutphen speaks to Han and Alyssa, ambassadors of the Climate Action Project, about the launch of the Climate Action Project which will be collaborating with the World Wildlife Fund, the United Nations, NASA and many other leading organisations, and how it provides opportunities to discuss and address important global issues such as climate change, gender inequality and poverty.

Take action now and sign up at: www.climate-action.info.

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SkyGems Academy Podcast Series 1 - 21st speaker is Margo Furbert.

Margo is an “Onion”. That’s what Bermudians call those who were born and raised in Bermuda – a beautiful, 21-square-mile island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, 700 miles off the coast of North Carolina, USA. In the 1800s, Bermuda was a major exporter of onions to the United States.

"I think our future generations should recognize that just like the coronavirus has affected this world with a negative outcome. Your choices, your career paths, your contributions to your society could also impact the entire world. You need to make a decision about whether you want your contribution to be a negative one or a positive one," said Margo.

Now, we are pleased to present to you … Margo Furbert.

SkyGems Academy Podcast 20th speaker is Timothy Veale; better known as Tim.

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Tim's overseas international school experience began at the Anglo-American School of Moscow in 1998. Following this, he taught IB Geography and served as Social Studies Head of Department at Ruamrudee International School in Bangkok, Thailand.

Tim then taught at Karachi American School in Karachi, Pakistan from 2003 - 2005. Tim later served as MYP Coordinator and, later, as whole school Deputy Principal at MEF International School - Izmir, in Izmir, Turkey from 2005 - 2009.

In 2009, Tim completed a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Michigan State University. In 2011, Tim became the Founding Head of School at Esbjerg International School, Denmark until his departure for the USA in 2017.

Tim then served as Upper School Principal at the International School of Indiana in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA where he is completing PhD studies in Educational Leadership at nearby Purdue University. He is on track to graduate in 2022. In August 2020, Tim will commence as Secondary Principal at the International School of Hamburg.

Tim met his wife, Lizette, who is originally from Denmark, while he was teaching in Bangkok and she was working at an orphanage nearby. Tim and Lizette had two weddings:  the first in Pakistan in 2003 and the second in Denmark in 2004. They have two daughters, Olivia (13) and Eleanor (3).

"I think back to how things were pre COVID-19. We were essentially running,  a 19th century factory model, in our 21st century schools, and we all knew it. We talked about what and how to replace it, and nothing really ever happened. Very little change took place," said Tim.

Now, we are pleased to present to you … Timothy Veale.

SkyGems Academy Podcast 20th speaker is Timothy Veale better known as Tim.

Tim is the Secondary Principal at the International School of Hamburg.

“People are experiencing Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges of balancing work and life in a novel and in different ways that we've never expected, never seen. So I think that checking in with people and listening to them and getting feedback and talking is the most important way forward for me and as I grow my own leadership and help others to grow.

I think the future is very, very promising. One positive outcome of this negative situation is that it's prompting us to have conversations like this and come up with new ideas. So in that sense, it's very exciting.

I can absolutely envision in the future, lessons taught by teachers in person will both be broadcast online, and for the benefit of those who are in person. A little bit like a TV show, you might say, you know, but you should have a live audience, but they're also being watched by people at home," said Tim.

Now, we are pleased to present to you … Timothy Veale.

SkyGems Academy Podcast 19th speaker is Jaspal Sidhu.

Jaspal a Singaporean, is the Founder and Chairman of the SIS Group of Schools. The SIS Group is Indonesia’s largest chain of quality private K-12 schools, with tuition fees at multiple price points. The Group also has schools in Myanmar, India and S. Korea. SIS is currently in a strategic partnership with the International Finance Corporation (World Bank) to expand its operations both in Indonesia and other countries. In 2019 the SIS Group of Schools was awarded the Financial Times -IFC (World Bank) Global Education Award for its transformational work in education across geographies.

Jaspal graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in Civil and Structural Engineering, he obtained a Masters in Business Administration (Distinction) from the University of Hull. He is also Indonesia’s 3-time amateur standup comedian champion.

Jaspal speaks openly in international education conferences across the globe from Cape Town, Dubai, Hong Kong to Singapore. These include conferences organized by impact investors, private equity companies, school organizations and the IFC (World Bank).

“Technology is going to complement what is going to happen in schools in a bigger way. So we are going to see a more blended approach. We are going to see a face-to- face digital transformation of teaching and where it becomes more personalised,” said Jaspal.

Now, we are pleased to present to you … Jaspal Sidhu.

SkyGems Academy Podcast speaker number 19 is Jaspal Sidhu.

Jaspal, a Singaporean is the Founder and Chairman of The SIS Group of Schools. Jaspal is also Indonesia’s 3 times amateur stand up comedian champion.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jaspal noted one thing, that the schools that really look after the teachers well-being, they did well during the pandemic. The online teaching was conducted with far more gusto and enthusiasm.

Jaspal believes that the best time to get information is during a crisis. So during a crisis, don't panic and sit. Talk to people and you will get a lot of what Jaspal calls “raw emotions and raw ideas”.

“Global warming, is really not a hoax. We cannot let this environment bully us like that. We need to take it on. The climate is changing, dire consequences everywhere, extreme weather will affect our food, our water, our air. So, I urge the listeners, I urge the young people out there, please, work together, and be pro-environment,” said Jaspal.

Now, we are pleased to present to you … Jaspal Sidhu.

SkyGems Academy Podcast 18th speaker is Khadijah Tou Tou. She is better known as Tou Tou.

Tou Tou has been in the education industry for more than 12 years. She started at 16 years old during her High School days, working part time as a Montessori Teacher. She has experience teaching ESL in training schools to both children and adults, created reader’s theatre drama workshops to middle school students and hosts various mental health workshops. She is currently an IB PYP Teacher and Student Representative Council Advisor at Shanghai World Foreign Language Primary School (WFLPS).

Tou Tou is mostly known for her enthusiasm and optimistic attitude in the classroom. Implementing agency is an important practice in her pedagogy because it encourages independent inquiry and self efficacy. She believes her greatest asset in teaching are her relationships with her students, parents and co teacher. She suggests that education should be taken from an, “It Takes A Village” perspective. Tou Tou also loves to participate in Professional Development (PD) opportunities, where she takes full advantage of networking. Her latest PD was at Harvard University where she gained a certificate in, “Teaching Students to Ask Their Own Questions.” She knows the greater she can expand her own mind, she will be able to teach her students how to do the same.

Tou Tou is passionate about Diversity and Inclusion within the education system and her works outside of school are reflective of that. She is the host of the podcast “In Trance”, a producer and screenwriter for playwrights, an author, a Reiki Healer, a Gifted Speaker, an Improvisation Artist and a Singer with the voice of an angel. I quote and unquote Tou Tou “What can I say? I love the arts!”

“I think it was a great awakening. Because during this pandemic, there are problems, your leaders start to come out. That's where your innovators start to come out because they're solution based, right? So because of that, I think it requires us to be everything that we ask our students to be," said Tou Tou.

Now, we are pleased to introduce to you and present to you … Khadijah Tou Tou.

SkyGems Academy Podcast speaker number 18 is Khadijah Tou Tou. She is better known as Tou Tou.

Tou Tou is originally from the USA and took a break from teaching to pursue a career in Broadcast Journalism, working alongside of companies such as CBS and iHeartRadio. She quickly realized that the best way to understand, educate and increase awareness in society is through education. In 2015 she made the decision that the news industry wasn’t for her and went to China with the intention to learn a different culture. What she didn’t expect was to fall in love with its polar opposite differences and decided to remain there ever since.

Tou Tou is based in Shanghai China but due to Covid-19 she is now in Virginia, USA.

“Don't be afraid to take action, take ownership, lead and exchange ideas because this is the way of the future, " said Tou Tou.

Now, we are pleased to present to you … Khadijah Tou Tou.

SkyGems Academy Podcast 17th speaker is Simon Herd.

Simon is an innovative educational leader. Simon has completed a Bachelor of Education, Master of Educational Leadership and Management, Master of Educational Studies (Merit) and a Master of Business Administration.

Simon has been invited to present at International Education Conferences in Australia, Vanuatu, South Africa, USA and Ireland.

“In many ways, we've been blessed with a once in a generation opportunity to move from a broken industrial model of education, to one that is learner focused and intent on giving students the agency over their learning that they've desperately craved,” said Simon.

Now we are pleased to introduce to and present to you … Simon Herd.

SkyGems Academy Podcast speaker number 17 is Simon Herd.

Simon is the Principal of Medowie Christian School. He is based in Sydney, Australia.

He was recognised by the Educator Magazine in 2017 as one of the Top 40 Leaders in Australian Schools. He was awarded the Young Citizen of the Year honour by the Australian Government.

“Don't let go of your core values as they will become the compass that you need in times when things seem so far out of control,” said Simon.

Now, we are pleased to present to you … Simon Herd.