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Middle Leader Certification

For those who desire to create an impact

SCHEDULED ONLINE COURSES | BESPOKE IN-PERSON AND ONLINE COURSES

We define Middle Leaders as teachers and coordinators in schools (Preschool-Grade 12) who have a specific area of responsibility that involves leading and collaborating with teams. Middle Leaders are the change agents of a school; they work with teachers to ensure great learning happens. Effective professional learning builds on the competencies of Middle Leaders to support their roles and responsibilities within the context of their schools. These programmes are sustained and multidimensional to meet the array of needs of a Middle Leader. ECIS proudly provides a variety of courses designed to enhance the leadership abilities of Middle Leaders. Upon successful completion of four courses, participants will be awarded an ECIS MLC certificate.

NEWS: Register now for all 2024-25 courses. See the calendar below.

NEW FOR 2024-2025

ECIS proudly introduces the Middle Leader Certificate of Distinction, an advanced certification created in response to feedback from Middle Leaders eager to continue their learning journey and gain additional insights as leaders in their schools. This advanced certificate builds on the foundational ECIS Middle Leader Certificate, requiring participants to complete an additional three MLC courses, for a total of seven. Importantly, educators who have already completed more than four courses towards the ECIS Middle Leader Certificate will have those courses counted towards this new distinction. Enrol now to advance your leadership skills and make a lasting impact on your educational community.



The objectives are to:

  • Provide differentiated approaches to meet the needs of middle leaders within our international school community to positively impact student learning and teacher practice
  • Create a culture of learning which promotes peer collaboration and connection, to elevate pedagogies that positively impact student learning and teacher practice
  • Establish a platform for continuous professional learning, avoiding the typical “one size fits all” approach
  • Highlight ongoing research that expands Middle Leaders’ understanding of effective leadership practices and team effectiveness
  • Elevate mentoring possibilities to empower Middle Leaders to make sustained and transformative changes within their schools

Scheduled Online Courses

02, 09, 16, & 30 October 2024

John Mikton

In international school educational leadership, AI and digital fluency—which includes literacy, citizenship, tools, security, and devices—today are key learnings for middle-level leaders, enabling them to effectively fulfill their roles in the dynamic landscape of education. “AI and Digital Fluency for Middle Level Leaders” explores the digital competencies necessary for leadership in an international school setting. Given the accelerated changes in the digital world impacting us both professionally and personally, the course supports middle-level leaders to creatively and critically leverage digital environments and tools, including artificial intelligence, to enhance their leadership capacity.

Emphasising the development of a middle-level leadership disposition with ethical online behavior and positive digital footprints, the course supports middle-level leaders with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to seamlessly integrate AI and digital fluency into their leadership practice. Throughout the course, participants will explore key digital literacies and practical applications. They will delve into strategies for effective digital communication, collaborative workflows, and digital tool utilization, emerging from the course with the skills to navigate their roles as adept ‘digital fluency leaders.’

Course Objectives

  • -Gain an understanding of digital fluency components and their relevance in international school educational middle level leadership.
  • -Analyse the impact of rapid digital changes and develop strategies to leverage digital tools effectively for enhanced middle level leadership capacity.
  • -Cultivate a middle-level leadership disposition focused on ethical online behavior and positive digital footprints for seamless integration of digital fluency into middle level leadership practice.
  • -Acquire practical skills in key digital literacies and applications, including digital communication and tool utilization, to emerge as proficient ‘digital fluency middle level leadership.’

7 and 14 October 2024 or 11 and 18 October 2024

Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini

We know that building and leading an effective team is an important step in enabling individual and collective success. This course explores how middle leaders can create cohesive and collaborative teams that are focused on student learning.

The course draws on the extensive body of literature and research in order identify what is most useful, practical and productive in leading teams. Teachers and administrators are by definition expected to be leaders. The key is to use that authority thoughtfully, sensitively, and productively. Should we find ourselves in the role of a leader without perceived authority – a more informal position, it is a different dynamic.

Participants leave the course with a clear understanding of how to build a high functioning team in order to transform learning.

Key Questions

· What are some characteristics of a highly functioning team?

· How can I facilitate the creation of a team focused on student learning?

· How can protocols, structures and norms facilitate thinking and a focus on student learning?

· What types of conversations are critical, and when are they likely to occur?

· What processes and behaviours can be prepared in advance to enable difficult situations and conversations to be well managed?

25 & 26 November 2024

Helen Morgan

Coaching is an important leadership approach for teacher leaders because it focuses on getting the best out of people by unlocking and unleashing their potential. In an educational context, coaching is about developing people so that they are empowered to solve problems and navigate their way through challenge and change. It supports well-being and gives people the skills and confidence to have better conversations and figure things out.

At an organisational level, coaching is pivotal to continuous and sustainable development. This course will equip middle leaders to develop the beliefs, knowledge, skills and understanding to adopt a coaching approach in their everyday practice.

During the course, participants will explore key coaching theory and have practical opportunities to translate this into practice. They will explore how effective coaches listen well and ask powerful questions. Across the two days, they will build a toolkit of strategies and approaches apply in their own context. They will leave the course with the confidence and skills to become a ‘coaching leader’.

Key questions

· What is coaching and how can we develop a coaching mindset?

· What is the role of listening in coaching and why does it matter?

· How can asking better questions enable better conversations?

· What tools and techniques do we need in our coaching toolkit?

28 and 29 November 2024

Teresa Belisle

What role do middle leaders play in ensuring teachers are engaged in current, best practice around assessment? We know that assessment is most useful when teachers know how to use it to improve learning and achievement. This course draws on the latest research and literature about assessment and explores it through a middle leadership lens.

This course covers several key areas that will deepen understanding of best practices that lie at the heart of assessment, including assessment for learning and feedback. Participants will explore how to influence and support their team with the use of assessment to inform teaching and learning. The course will look specifically at how feedback can be used to optimise learning and progress.

The course will also unpack how leaders can make sure that assessment is accessible for all students and consider the role of leaders in supporting wellbeing in relation to assessment.

At the end of the course, participants will leave fully equipped with practical knowledge and powerful strategies to lead assessment for learning with real confidence.

Key questions

· What is assessment and why does it matter?

· Where do assessment for learning and feedback fit in and what does best practice look like?

· What do leaders need to do to make sure assessment is for all learners and how can we support wellbeing in relation to assessment?

· How can a middle leader influence their team to implement best practice?

23 and 30 January 2025 plus 06 and 13 February 2025

Jimena Zalba and Cindy Gause Vega

In an organisation, leaders make the weather and create the culture. This shapes how the organisation works and feels. The Culture of Leadership is an exciting course that gets to the heart of this by focusing on international teacher leadership at the middle level, exploring the relationship between culture, context and leadership.During the course, participants explore critical aspects of the middle leader role and how their beliefs and values influence their practice. In addition, they will have the opportunity to build their leadership knowledge, understanding and skills order to strengthen their effectiveness and impact. By the end of the course, participants will have a strong understanding of why leadership matters and how they can shape the culture in their team. They will leave with a clear plan to assist them with the successful application of their learning.

Key questions:

· What does research claim about effective teacher leadership?

· To what extent is leadership context driven?

· How does culture impact leadership?

· How can a teacher leader develop the ability to lead effectively in different contexts?

· What are beliefs and values about leadership and how does this impact leadership practices?

13 and 14 February 2025

Nunana Nyomi

In recent years, we have been witnessing a global awakening to a call for a more intentional focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ). In the wake of the outcries for racial justice which reverberated around the world, many institutions indicated an intent to become places where those within their care can thrive with all aspects of their identity celebrated. However, international education continues to face significant challenges in creating lasting systemic change.  

 

Middle Leaders are often at the forefront of observing and experiencing the myriad of inequities that exist, such as the lack of affirmation of certain student identities within the school culture and curriculum, staffing barriers relative to educator backgrounds, & more. How might we equip ourselves and our institutions to break through these challenges? Join this course to explore these themes and co-create actions that lead to breakthroughs which will enable yourself, your institutions, and the international education community to flourish. 

 

Key questions 

  • What systemic inequities do our fears protect and how can we interrupt them? 
  • How do we support those within our care to experience breakthroughs in order to flourish? 
  • How might we break through the systemic barriers to our own growth as middle leaders? 
  • What can we do as middle leaders to collectively inspire tangible change towards diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within the international school ecosystem? 

Nunana Nyomi

Nunana is passionate about developing communities where everyone can thrive as their full selves and helping students find career pathways which allow them to fulfill their potential. Nunana currently serves as University Advisor and DEIJ Coordinator at Leysin American School (LAS) in Switzerland. He also serves as co-chair of the Accreditation Committee of the International School Anti-Discrimination Taskforce. Prior to joining LAS, Nunana was based in the Netherlands as Associate Director of Higher Education Services for the Council of International Schools (CIS) and provided programs to support student transitions from school to university education.

Additionally, Nunana served on the CIS Global Citizenship Team and on a special CIS Board Committee on Inclusion through Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism (I-DEA). He also previously led international student admissions for Calvin University in the U.S. Nunana is a Third-Culture Kid who grew up in the U.S., Ghana, Kenya, Switzerland, and the U.K. He has a BA in International Relations and French (Calvin University) and a MA in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (Michigan State University). 

10 and 17 March 2025

OR

11 and 18 March 2025

Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini

We know that investing teacher quality improves learning, builds capacity and increases retention. These are only a few of the benefits.

This is an interactive course that gives middle leaders the knowledge and practical tools to lead teacher teams. Across the course, you will explore what effective teaching and learning looks like based on the latest research and literature. You will also learn how to use evaluation as a catalyst for high quality professional development at an individual and group level.

Throughout the sessions, we will look at different models, strategies and approaches for improving teacher quality with your own team. By the end of the course, participants leave fully equipped to lead Teacher Quality Improvement in their own setting.

Key questions

· What does research and literature indicate about what great teaching looks like?

· How can middle leaders evaluate the quality of teaching and learning in their teams?

· What are the most effective strategies and approaches for improving the quality of teaching and learning for individuals and teams?

· How can teacher leaders support the growth of the adults in their team and enable sustainable improvement and professional development?

06 and 07 March 2025

Helen Morgan

Coaching is an important leadership approach for teacher leaders because it focuses on getting the best out of people by unlocking and unleashing their potential. In an educational context, coaching is about developing people so that they are empowered to solve problems and navigate their way through challenge and change. It supports well-being and gives people the skills and confidence to have better conversations and figure things out.

At an organisational level, coaching is pivotal to continuous and sustainable development. This course will equip middle leaders to develop the beliefs, knowledge, skills and understanding to adopt a coaching approach in their everyday practice.

During the course, participants will explore key coaching theory and have practical opportunities to translate this into practice.  They will explore how effective coaches listen well and ask powerful questions. Across the two days, they will build a toolkit of strategies and approaches apply in their own context. They will leave the course with the confidence and skills to become a ‘coaching leader’.

21 and 28 March 2025

Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini

At the centre of middle leadership is a commitment and desire to improve student learning. We know there are several factors that impact student learning and at the top of the list of school-related factors is a guaranteed and viable curriculum.

For it to have real impact, it needs to be far more than just a piece of paper. This course unpacks the role that middle leaders play in driving the curricular vision of the school. Participants consider the key principles of effective curriculum design and implementation.

They will consider how students learn, exploring the latest research in cognitive science and how this can support curriculum design and development. Participants will leave with a range of practical strategies and tools to ensure that the curriculum supports highly effective learning in their context.

Key questions

· How do vision and values drive curriculum design and development?

· What are the key principles that underpin effective curriculum design?

· How do students learn and how can this influence curriculum design and implementation?

· What is the role of the leader in curricular design and development?

31 March and 01 April 2025

OR

01 and 02 May 2025

Helen Morgan

Being able to manage and embrace conflict effectively is an essential part of middle leadership if teams and individuals are to maintain a shared sense of purpose and direction. As a middle leader, one of the greatest challenges in managing and embracing conflict is managing yourself and making sure that communication is clear and effective.

During this course, participants learn to identify conflict and what their roles and responsibilities are within such a situation. They develop strategies to manage emotions, manage change and learn how to separate the personal from the professional. On a practical level, participants learn how to have difficult conversations and practise different techniques in a safe and supportive environment.

By the end of the course, participants will have a practical toolkit of strategies and protocols to manage and embrace conflict successfully in a range of contexts.

Key questions

· Why does conflict occur and what is the role of the leader?

· How can leaders manage and embrace conflict within their team?

· How can successful leadership of change help leaders to navigate through conflict effectively?

· What strategies and approaches can leaders use to manage difficult conversations?

Fees

Non-ECIS members £350
ECIS Level 1 Membership £315
ECIS Level 2 Membership £300
ECIS Level 3 Membership £280

AN EXCEPTIONAL OFFER FOR YOUR SCHOOL TEAM

Tailor-made to your school’s strategic needs. Each course is eight hours in total.

Make an impact, build capacity, and increase retention by signing up your Middle Leader team to our top-rated Middle Leadership Certificate. If you want to hit the ground running, check out our fantastic new special offer for schools.

10 CERTIFICATE PLACES: £9,750

05 CERTIFICATE PLACES: £4,875

Learn more about each course below. For further details, please contact mlc@ecis.org.

Facilitators

Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini

Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini is Head of Middle leader Certificate (MLC) programme for ECIS.  She has over 30 years of experience as an international educator and is a member of the International Association of Facilitators. Nancy is one of the network leaders for @WomenEdLux and is the Chair of the ECIS “Women in Education” Special Interest Group. In 2022, ISC Research recognized Nancy as an #Edruptor, a highly-rated influencer within international education.

Tracey Belisle

An energetic, tenacious, strategic and evidence-driven change agent, leader and challenge seeker, Teresa is passionately curious about learning, creating cultures of possibility, and having a positive impact. 

  

Through her career, Teresa is grateful to have taught, facilitated and led educators from early childhood through adult levels in France, the United States, Mexico, Egypt, Thailand, the Czech Republic, and online. Her experience has been in public and private school sectors, both nationally and internationally, as well as with not-for-profit and non governmental and accrediting organisations. 

  

After 11 years at the International School of Prague and 38 years as an educator, Teresa is taking a year to rethink and reconsider how best to live, learn, and lead in today’s world as she re-envisions and refocuses the final chapter of her career 

John Mikton

John is currently the Technology for Learning Coordinator at the International School of Geneva – La Châtaigneraie bringing 30 years of experience in education and media technology. John has worked in international schools, in Africa, Asia and Europe. With leadership roles as IT Director, Director of eLearning, Head of Education and Media Technology, and Deputy Principal, all with a focus on integrating digital fluency into education.

John is a trainer and course designer at the Principal Training Center, Facilitator with ECIS Middle Leader Certificate Programme, and coach for the Faria Education Group. Co-host of International Schools Podcast.

ISC Research Award in 2021 | 2022.
Portfolio: https://beyonddigital.org

Helen Morgan

Helen Morgan is Head Of Leadership, Development, and Learning for ECIS and also provides training, coaching and educational expertise in a range of different contexts. Her portfolio is underpinned by over 20 years of experience as a teacher, local authority consultant and Headteacher. As a local authority consultant, Helen led on the implementation of the National Strategies for English and Literacy across the curriculum.

Nunana Nyomi

Nunana Nyomi is passionate about developing communities where everyone can thrive as their full selves and helping students find career pathways which allow them to fulfil their potential. Nunana currently serves as University Advisor and DEIJ Coordinator at Leysin American School (LAS) in Switzerland.

Cindy Vega

Cindy Vega’s career as an educator spans 40+ years in the United States, Spain, and the Czech Republic. She taught in an international elementary and middle school in Spain where she served as the Director of the school before leaving to complete her EdD in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership at Vanderbilt University

Jimena Zalba

Jimena Zalba is an experienced and accomplished educational leader with over 19 years serving international schools in the Czech Republic, Romania and Cambodia as a PYP coordinator, Associate Elementary Principal and Elementary Principal. Jimena has, in close collaboration with other educators, led the design and implementation of innovative school improvements with a high impact on student learning.

Bespoke Training: In-person and online

At ECIS, our bespoke consultancy and training offer is growing as schools embrace the concepts of continuous and sustainable improvement. We work in genuine partnership with our schools to make a difference together, building confidence and capacity at all levels.

Our approach to consultancy and training is personalised, professional, practical and impactful. We build it around the needs of the school or organisation, and its unique context. Key to our approach is listening so that we understand exactly what the school needs.

As a result of growing demand, Helen Morgan has joined us as Head of International Consultancy. Helen has extensive experience of working with international schools and organisations as an independent educational consultant. If you would like to find out more or have an initial discussion, simply email Helen at helen@ecis.org.

A commitment to continuous learning

Middle leader cafe

The objective is to highlight how ECIS promotes continuous Middle Leader professional development by creating a platform that is:

  • Based on the needs of Middle Leaders
  • Encourages collaboration with international colleagues to develop a network of Middle Leaders
  • Relevant to the roles and responsibilities of Middle Leaders
  • Applicable to impact teacher practice and student learning
  • Sustained overtime recognising that significant shifts in practice take considerable time and work

Check our events page for the next Middle Leader Café, we’d love to see you there!

WATCH OUR PREVIOUS SESSIONS ON CATCH-UP VIA OUR YOUTUBE PLAYLIST.