Welcome to the Professional Development website!!! CURRENTLY IT IS IN DEVELOPMENT….
Mission Statement:
Vision:
Member Roles & Responsibilities:
Current Membership:
Ex officio Management Liaison -
David Hughes
“Since joining the ABP in 2001, I have been grateful for the PD opportunities that the ABP has afforded faculty. Now, as Curriculum Supervisor in Abu Dhabi, I sit on the PD committee ex officio. This allows me to act as a liaison between the management team and the PD committee to ensure we meet the ABP’s PD goals.”
Dubai Campus -
Chair:
Kara McKeown
“In joining ZU in August 2009 I was immediately impressed by the ABP’s ongoing commitment to professional development, which is why I was really pleased to have the opportunity to join the PD committee. I believe that being challenged to continue to try out new ideas and techniques is crucial to a teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom and professional well-being. My current interest is in utilizing technology to truly enhance students’ learning.”
Members:
Fairlie Atkinson
“The PD Committee has been a great way to get involved in the professional development side of my job. I have enjoyed organizing and giving workshops and presentations, and the challenges that come with being a presenter and a committee member. The 2009-2010 academic year proved fruitful for the Zayed University ABP and many interesting presentations were shared by internal and external speakers. 2010-2011 looks just as good!”
Kerry Malster
”I’m the newest member in Dubai, only joining ZU in January 2010. I have really enjoyed the practicality of the PD sessions ZU has offered in this short time. I am particularly interested in learner training and learner autonomy.”
Marion Engin
“I joined ZU in August 2009 and have enjoyed the activities and PD days that the PD committee organize. Being involved with this organization is a great way for me to learn more about learning and teaching”. I am interested in student-teacher interaction and talk for learning.”
Mary Karatal
“I have been highly impressed with the ABP’s on-going commitment to professional development. I believe that PD is one of the most important aspects of our program and it is what makes Zayed University such a cutting edge place to teach. Serving on the PD committee allows me to make a contribution to our program and it helps me to keep up-to-date with changes and trends in ELT.”
Pinar Ozdemir-Ayber
“I joined ZU in August 2009. I have enjoyed being part of the PD committee and having the chance to contribute to the ABP’s continuous development and professional collaboration spirit. Being a committee member helps me keep updated with educational technology and new teaching ideas. My current interest is blended teaching/learning.”
Abu Dhabi Campus -
Chair:
Tara Waller
“Since coming to ZU in February, 2009 I have been a part of PD, which allows me the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across all our campuses and participate in the further development of not only my teaching, researching and general knowledge in the field, but also contribute to activities that will enhance others and the ABP. My professional interests are centered around professional development in terms of research, leadership training and curriculum/materials creation.”
Members:
Andrew Perkins
“I’ve heard it said that “the truth is out there” and while I feel privileged to have sampled a few snippets, I know that there is plenty more to learn. What better way is there to continue the search than to do so with like-minded colleagues while serving our ABP community at the same time?”
David Ribott
“As part of the original Teaching & Learning group from Sweihan in 2008, I see PD as a never-ending extension of our professional lives and a part of life-long learning. Personally, I think you can only go so far without concentrated personal and professional development before you exhaust your natural talents and run the risk of regression. Surrounding yourself with professionals who can challenge you just enough is needed to remind us of what we are doing in the field and in life in general. It keeps us sharp, up-to-date and in touch with the realities of the classroom and teaching and learning. My professional interests are student success, outcomes-based assessment, developing youth leadership, educational equality and the inclusion of experiential education for at-risk students.”
Effie Georgiadou
“When it comes to PD, I believe John Cotton Dana sums it all up with ‘Who dares to teach must never cease to learn’.”
Nicholas Yates
“Being a PD committee member encourages me to keep up-to-date with current issues in English language teaching and learning, and in turn I can facilitate and support others in their growth. My personal interests are in teacher cognition, educational technology, and ELT methodology and approaches.”
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