Terms such as the ‘new normal’ and ‘new reality’ are quickly getting old, but what is new, is AISA’s approach to our professional development programme. Based on research and AISA’s strategic plan (the onset of which was pre-COVID-19), we have strategised, innovated and planned longer, deeper professional learning experiences, which will take place online and over several weeks.

This initiative will launch in the new academic year. While AISA will try to ensure as much as possible is free for our members, allowing PL budgets to be saved for registrations to our annual conference in November, where AISA incurs a facilitator cost, fees may apply.

“Over the past few months, AISA has become the first go-to resource and community for international schools in Africa; a reliable source of support, resources, professional learning and professional collegiality,” says Graham Watts, AISA’s Director of Professional Learning. “Our new format professional learning programmes are part of our strategy to maintain the close degree of engagement we have established during this time.”

AISA’s upcoming programmes include:

What Now and What Next? Shaping the Future for International Schools in Africa

August & September 2020

Scheduled to run throughout August, this professional learning programme pulls together the many components AISA is currently offering as part of our ‘immediate-need’ focused schools support work. It will comprise a series of webinars hosted by external experts, AISA-facilitated discussion groups and online forums for posting resources and networking.

Whilst this is a time of uncertainty and for some, sadness, this pandemic has offered opportunities for learning. It is how these lessons are understood, interpreted and adapted for an improved future that will enable us to emerge better and stronger than ever before, The What Next professional learning programme moves into a thought-leadership space, focusing on leading the transformation of international schools into the future.

As an association that is constantly evolving to lead the way in professional development in international school education, the questions of what new, what now and what next remain open for AISA.