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Middle Leader Certification

“More than a course, it’s a community.”

MORE THAN A COURSE, IT’S A COMMUNITY!

BESPOKE IN-PERSON AND ONLINE COURSES: 2026-2027 now available!

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.

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

 

CALENDAR
Timezones:
Europe
Asia
September / October 2026
November / December 2026
FACILITATORS
TB: Teresa Belisle
KD: Keryn Dowling
NLS: Nancy Lhoest Squicciarini
JM: John Mikton
HM: Helen Morgan
MN: Michael Neumann
JZ: Jimena Zalba
January 2027
February / March 2027
May 2027
Guiding Questions

    Upon successful completion of each course, participants earn a Middle Leader Certificate. Once FOUR individual certificates have been completed across any combination of course offerings, the participant qualifies for the ECIS Middle Leader Award, a recognition of sustained professional learning and leadership development.

    These sessions are aimed at building the capacity of middle leaders and supporting a sustainable, ongoing professional learning journey. Additional development opportunities include access to a dedicated Middle Leader LinkedIn group, Middle Leader Cafés for informal dialogue, and a structured mentoring platform for ECIS member schools and affiliations.

    AN EXCEPTIONAL OFFER FOR OUR ECIS MEMBER SCHOOLS

    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 nancy@ecis.org.

    Plus: A Course With Distinction

    Cost Per Online Course

    Non-ECIS Members £390
    ECIS Level 1 Membership £351
    ECIS Level 2 Membership £331.50
    ECIS Level 3 Membership £312

    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. Enroll now to advance your leadership skills and make a lasting impact on your educational community.

    Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini

    Teresa Belisle

    Keryn Dowling

    John Mikton

    Helen Morgan

    Jimena Zalba

    Michael Neumann

    A commitment to continuous learning

    Middle Leader Cafe

    • 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.

    Middle Leaders events

    Middle Leaders events are on-site, face-to-face professional learning experiences that bring together international school educators in one location for focused learning, practical application and meaningful collaboration.

    Through interactive sessions, hands-on activities and shared discussion, participants strengthen their leadership practice, learn alongside colleagues from other schools and leave with strategies they can apply within their own context.

    Many schools, one room

    Key highlights

    Middle Leader Certificate

    Engage with research-informed content focused on an area of middle leadership and earn an ECIS Middle Leader Certificate.

    On-site professional learning

    Learn together, in person, through discussion, collaboration and practical activities designed to make the most of being in the room together.

    Professional connections

    Connect with middle and teacher leaders from other international schools, exchange ideas and build relationships that extend beyond the event.

    Practical learning

    Explore leadership approaches through interactive activities, discussion and application, with strategies that can be transferred directly into school settings.

    Experienced facilitators

    Learn with experienced facilitators who bring international school experience, research and practical examples to the learning.

    Middle Leaders in…

    • Prague

      Managing and Embracing Conflict for Growth

      30-31 October 2026International School of Prague
      Facilitated by Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini

      View event
    • Luxembourg

      Managing and Embracing Conflict for Growth

      22-23 January 2027St. George’s International School
      Facilitated by Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini

      View event
    • Bratislava

      Building and Leading Teams

      19-20 March 2027Cambridge International School
      Facilitated by Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini

      View event
    • Munich

      Creating Systems for Belonging

      20-21 May 2027Munich International School
      Facilitated by Michael Neumann

      View event

    30 Oct @ 09:00 – 31 Oct @ 15:00

    Middle Leaders in Prague: 30 & 31 October 2026

    £340-425
    22 Jan @ 13:00 – 23 Jan @ 15:00

    Middle Leaders in Luxembourg: 22-23 January 2027

    £340-425
    19 Mar @ 09:00 – 20 Mar @ 15:00

    Middle Leaders in Bratislava: 19 & 20 March 2027

    £340-425
    20 May @ 13:00 – 21 May @ 15:00

    Middle Leaders in Munich: 20-21 May 2027

    £340-425