Spotlight speakers 2007
Margo Williamson and Chris McIlroy
Margo Williamson is the Programme Director for Curriculum and Assessment. As such, one of her key roles is to lead and manage the development of the Curriculum for Excellence for LTS. She has considerable teaching and management experience in both school and higher education, where she worked as a senior lecturer. Her background and research interests are in literacy development and the role of ICT in learning. She has attended and presented at a range of national and international conferences and has been invited to contribute to several staff development events throughout Scotland.
Chris McIlroy was a teacher and assistant headteacher in primary schools before serving as headteacher of Yoker Primary School in Glasgow. He then worked for two years with Scottish CCC and was a member of a variety of working groups for the 5–14 programme. He joined HMI in 1989 and has held posts as lead inspector for primary and pre-school education and district inspector for Renfrewshire and South Ayrshire. Until August he was acting Chief Inspector with responsibilities for the inspection of pre-school, independent schools, and residential schools and secure units. He is now responsible for the inspection programme for primary education. Chris is also a member of the Programme Board for the Review of the Curriculum 3–18.
Further information and booking for seminar: Outcomes and Experiences for Effective Learning on Wednesday at 9.30.
Marie Dougan
Marie Dougan, the Programme Director for Glow began her teaching career as a biology and science teacher in both the secondary and special school sectors. She also worked as a teacher in a variety of hospital and home settings. Marie became interested in the potential of computer technology to enhance access to the curriculum for children with a variety of additional support needs. She completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties and was a tutor for this course for the University of Edinburgh. Marie subsequently moved to supporting teachers in introducing the use of ICT. She then managed the Information Technology Support Unit (ITSU) which provided support and advice to teachers in 150 schools within the City of Edinburgh. From 2002 until 2006 Marie managed the Masterclass project in LTS.
Seminar: Glow and the Curriculum for Excellence on Wednesday at 12.30.
Sandra J Stein
Dr Sandra J Stein is an internationally recognised expert in school leadership development, well known for her rigorous, experiential approach to developing strong instructional leaders. As the CEO of the NYC Leadership Academy, an alternative principal preparation and support programme serving the largest school district in the United States, Dr Stein’s visionary method of teaching using problem-based, real-world simulations and job embedded learning has contributed to the development and success of hundreds of current and prospective principals in New York City. Under her guidance, the Leadership Academy identifies, prepares and supports innovative school leaders who have the instructional and leadership skills necessary to empower teachers, students and parents, and to direct efforts to improve student learning in some of the City’s most challenging schools.
Further information and booking for seminar: Developing Strong Leadership through Problem-based, Experimental Learning on Wednesday 15:45.
Sergio Della Sala
Professor Sergio Della Sala was born in Milan. He holds a degree in ‘Medicine and Surgery’ from the University of Milan (where he was also first appointed as Consultant in Neurology) and a PhD in Neuropsychology. He came to Edinburgh in April 2004 from Aberdeen where he has held the Chair of Neuropsychology for over 10 years. He has held appointments at various institutions including the University of Milan, the University of Berkeley – California, the Applied Psychology Unit – Cambridge, the University of Western Australia – Perth. His research focuses on the relationship between brain and behaviour, with particular reference to memory and amnesia. He has published over 250 papers in peer-reviewed journals and several monographs. He is also interested in the dissemination of science and, wearing that hat, organised several events and exhibitions, particularly addressed to young people; he is one of the founders of the Italian section of the Skeptical Inquirers society for the promotion of critical thinking.
Further information and booking for seminar: Tall Tales about the Mind and Brain on Wednesday 16:45.
Judith McClure
Judith McClure is the Headteacher of St George’s School in Edinburgh, an all-through school for pupils aged 2–18 which has links with schools and institutions in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, Chile, South Africa, Rwanda, Malawi, Russia, China and a whole host of other countries. She has been a headteacher for 20 years and she is passionate about supporting the current collaborative movement for educational reform in Scotland. She believes that pupils and staff alike have everything to gain from international education, which opens their minds to the 21st-century world as well as giving them opportunities to develop their skills and talents and to encourage their understanding of people of other cultures and societies. Judith is Convener of SELMAS, the Scottish Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society.
Further information and booking for seminar:: International Education in Action 3–18 Thursday 9.30.
Jack Jackson
Professor Jack Jackson holds BSc and PhD degrees in Biology from the University of Glasgow. He taught medical and dental students there before taking up a post as Lecturer in Biology at the Scottish Agricultural College (Auchincruive), where he carried out research on biological control. He was tutor at the Open University before training to become a secondary teacher. He was head of a biology department for 10 years. He was senior examiner in Biology with the Scottish Examination Board and was a member and chair of several committees concerned with the development of the science curriculum. He joined HM Inspectorate of Schools in 1983 and over a period of 23 years he inspected at all levels from pre-school to post-school. He was given national responsibility for biology education in 1987 and between 1990 and 2006 he had national responsibility for science education. He was involved in all major curriculum developments, including Standard Grade, Revised Higher, 5–14 and Higher Still. He is author of a number of HMIE publications, including 'Effective Teaching and Learning in Science', Improving Science Education 5–14 and 'Improving Achievement in Science'. He was on the group reviewing the science curriculum 3–18 in relation to Curriculum for Excellence.
Further information and booking for seminar: Science Education: Evolution or Revolution on Thursday 10:30.
Aline-Wendy Dunlop
Professor Aline-Wendy Dunlop has taught in the university sector since 1993: first at Moray House Institute of Education in Edinburgh and from 1996 at the University of Strathclyde, where she is Chair of Childhood and Primary Studies, tasked to provide leadership in teaching and learning and applied educational research. She is also Lead Director of the National Centre for Autism Studies which houses the Scottish Autism Service Network. Her work lies in two key areas: early education and autism. Her very varied teaching experience over 23 years in schools and the community included home visiting, training education staff in residential childcare, teaching SNNEB students, working with parents, special educational needs and mainstream early education. Aline-Wendy has served on the PHIS working group, the Glasgow Autism Task Force, the Glasgow Autism Working Group, the Scottish Executive ASD Reference Group and its training sub-group, and she is a member of the Faculty of Education Board of Study and a number of Faculty Committees. She has been an international research conference chair, is an invited keynote speaker at a range of conferences, and has published both in early education and in autism.
Further information and booking for seminar: Early Years Curriculum: Opportunity or Challenge? on Thursday 13:00.
Gary Bloom
Gary Bloom, Associate Director of the New Teacher Center at UCSC, has 23 years of K-12 education experience, having served as a bilingual teacher, principal, director of curriculum, and assistant superintendent. He served as the Superintendent of the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District, known for its innovative programmes such as graduation exhibitions, a teacher-led high school, and teacher peer review. Gary is a Kellogg National Fellow, adjunct faculty to San Jose State University’s Educational Administration graduate programme, and has consulted and presented on a variety of topics throughout the United States and in Latin America. Currently, he is supporting a number of urban school districts and states in designing and implementing coaching-based leadership induction programmes, and in increasing the capacity of principals to serve as instructional leaders. He has published articles in educational leadership journals, most recently on the topics of teacher leadership, professional learning communities, new teacher support, principal induction, teacher supervision and the appropriate use of technology.
Further information and booking for seminar: Building Teaching Practice that is Collaborative, Public and Powerful through Professional Learning Communities on Thursday 14:00.