Pre-conference workshop presenters

Benjamin Zonca is Head of Teaching and Learning at Geelong Grammar School, Victoria, Australia, and Lecturer in International Education at the University of Melbourne. As a school leader, Benjamin’s main interest is how we can work with adults in an ethical, caring and future-focused way. He is an active educational researcher, exploring the IB, home education and issues of teacher retention. As well as his school leadership and academic roles, Benjamin is a workshop leader and school visit team member for the IB.

Aubrey Curran is an educational consultant and trainer with 25 years of experience, having served as Head of School, Principal and Curriculum Coordinator in IB World Schools across the Netherlands, China, Trinidad and Tobago, and Japan. He specializes in understanding school culture dynamics and how leaders can influence them. Aubrey has consulted for over 50 schools in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe and has led more than 40 workshops worldwide. His recent work focuses on professional learning and staff evaluation systems, and he is publishing a framework for differentiated pathways. Aubrey holds degrees from the University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, and the University of Bath, England.

Stephen Michael Busbee has been in international education for 18 years as a Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) individuals and societies teacher in China and South Korea. He is an instruction and innovation coach at Shekou International School in Shenzhen, China, and is passionate about making teachers’ jobs easier by harnessing technology to assist them in making better, more informed decisions about instruction. Stephen enjoys developing practical tools and strategies for data analysis to help develop targeted differentiated activities to meet students’ learning needs. He also enjoys building administrative tools that help teachers and administrators to access and organize their data to make more informed decisions.

Meg Chamberlin is a multilingual educational leader with 20 years of experience in schools across 5 continents. A former Principal and Deputy Head at IB World Schools, Meg serves as Vice Principal of a diverse secondary school on the Sunshine Coast, Canada. Meg has a passion for global citizenship education and holds an MA in human security and peacebuilding. Having trained hundreds of educators in restorative practices, she has seen first-hand its incredible power in building positive relationships, repairing harm and increasing empathy and accountability. Meg presented at the 2022 IB Global Conference, San Diego, and is certified to deliver the International Institute for Restorative Practice (IIRP) “Fundamentals” curriculum.

Justin Zhang is a dedicated educator focusing on educational technology and international education. He holds a PhD in educational technology and dual MAs, one in applied linguistics and the other in language teaching. As a registered teacher in both the USA and UK (with qualified teacher status), Justin is an active IB educator network (IBEN) member, working in the fields of workshop facilitation, examinations and school authorization. He is an assistant professor and the Director of IB educator and leadership certificates (IBEC) at Nam Seoul University. He previously served as the school-wide Head of Chinese at an IB World School in Hong Kong and as a teacher in Beijing and Barcelona.

Phil Evans joined the IB in 2016 to support schools in the USA in preparing and applying to offer the IB programmes. His knowledge of all four IB programmes has grown out of his passion for lifelong learning as an experienced IB classroom teacher and school administrator. Phil’s current role advances the IB’s mission by supporting schools in offering an inclusive and equitable Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP). His aim is to ensure that every student can succeed and benefit from an IB education, and that IB World Schools have systems in place to support all learners.

As a senior IB World Schools manager based at the IB Global Centre, Singapore, Florian Ciprian provides guidance and support to schools and school systems to help them achieve their learning, teaching and assessment objectives. He advocates for school priorities, promotes increased depth and breadth of programme development, and acts as a catalyst for the learning community’s success through IB evaluation.

Suman Sethi is a senior IB World Schools manager at the IB Global Centre, Singapore, with more than 28 years of experience in education across Asia and Africa. She has held various key roles within the IB, including external examiner, workshop leader and evaluation leader. In her current role, Suman provides specialized support to schools, helping them to implement IB programmes and translate IB principles into effective practice. She offers guidance throughout schools’ journeys, from preparing for their first IB assessments to undergoing programme evaluations. Her aim is to ensure that each school achieves optimal outcomes for students.

Gunjan Raisinghani is an energetic, self-reliant educator with a steadfast focus and proven track record of delivering educational assistance across diverse learning levels. She has a deep commitment to fostering inclusive, student-centred learning environments. As an IB education network (IBEN) workshop leader since 2023 and an attendee of multiple IB workshops, including those focused on experiential learning and approaches to learning, Gunjan is well versed in the IB’s philosophy. Her expertise in economics, creativity, activity, service (CAS), and inclusive practices positions her to effectively guide participants in creating inclusive educational frameworks that empower all students to succeed, reflecting the IB’s core values of inclusivity and global citizenship.

Ruchi Mathur is a self-directed, proactive and enthusiastic educator with a passionate commitment to student development and the learning experience. Throughout her career as an IB educator, she has gained extensive understanding and knowledge of the IB’s aims and philosophy. Ruchi has actively participated in curriculum development initiatives, including serving as a member of the core team during IB evaluation. As a workshop leader, she possesses outstanding communication skills and is committed to creating a stimulating learning environment that encourages student participation and academic growth. Ruchi’s academic background, along with her management diploma specializing in international trade, enables her to effectively engage participants and explain complex concepts in an accessible way.

With over 20 years of experience, Priyadarshini Ramteke serves as the Head of Middle School at Oberoi International School, Mumbai, leading the transition to the Middle Years Programme (MYP) framework that fosters critical thinking and inquiry. She is deeply involved in global educational roles with the IB, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS). She also advocates for empowering students through inclusive, humanistic education. With experience in the UK and India, Priyadarshini has built collaborative teams that inspire a sense of belonging. She focuses on using data to personalize student journeys and drive innovation, leading staff towards continuous improvement through shared goals and distributive leadership to enhance collaboration and growth.

Sarah Thomas has 16 years of experience in shaping and energizing educational systems. From the Diploma Programme (DP) to the Middle Years Programme (MYP), she has navigated the journey as a secondary school Principal and is now excitedly serving as the Deputy Head of Middle School at the Oberoi International School, Mumbai. Sarah is passionate about creating a vibrant, safe and inspiring environment where students can thrive. Her approach to leadership is all about embracing a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, and putting students at the heart of everything. Let’s make education an adventure together.

Dianne Blackburn is an independent educational consultant providing bespoke education solutions to international schools worldwide. She has many years of consultancy experience in pedagogical leadership, change management and educator training solutions.

As a facilitator and designer of professional development for teachers, coordinators and Heads of School throughout the world, Dianne has been responsible for the implementation of educational programmes in international schools, introducing new methodologies and technologies.

In addition to her consultancy, Dianne works for the IB as a lead educator, field representative, programme leader, evaluation leader, team member and IB education network (IBEN) workshop leader, building on her experience as a Middle Years Programme (MYP) coordinator and principal examiner.

Dianne has worked extensively with large groups of schools in the Middle East and Europe, supporting their development of inclusive practice through the introduction of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This approach has produced outstanding results. UDL has been transformational to Dianne’s approach to differentiation, with profound outcomes for students from the offset. Students commented that they began to feel more confident in their learning, developed their independence as learners and their outcomes were better. In February 2022, the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) commented that the differentiation was so strong that you could not see the difference between students with learning support requirements and other students.