Thank you for joining us at IB Global Conference, Washington DC 2024!
Thank you to all who attended the International Baccalaureate (IB) Global Conference in Washington DC, held in July 2024. Your passion and commitment to education were the pillars of our journey towards inspiring learners and realizing potential.
Over 1,700 attendees from 43 countries gathered in Washington DC with a unified goal: to engage in meaningful discussions and bring renewed inspiration back to their classrooms. Together, we explored innovative pedagogical approaches and navigated the evolving landscape of modern education. The conference theme, Inspiring Learners, Realizing Potential, guided us in fostering student inquiry and maximizing the potential of every young person we encounter.
Day 1 highlights
The conference opened with a vibrant jazz performance by students from Meridian High School, conducted by their teacher, Mary Jo West.
We were then honored to hear from Isela Consuegra, Head of School at Escuela Lomas Altas, Mexico and President of IBAMEX and member on the IB Board of Governors.
To follow, our community voice Maximilian Belyantsev took the stage to share his insights from his IB journey, and inspire us all. Maximilian will be attending Columbia University in the Fall, studying Financial Economics. Maximilian is a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar, a distinction awarded to the top 0.0045% of graduating high school seniors nationwide; a 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist; and a 2023 Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation ‘Coolidge Senator’ distinction recipient. He received the 2024 President's Award for Academic Excellence and a Maryland State Seal of Biliteracy in English, French, and Russian. Maximillian graduated in 2024 from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland.
Our keynote, Dr John B. King, Jr., Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), delivered an inspiring address on the historical and philosophical connections between the International Baccalaureate and the State University of New York, emphasizing their shared commitment to inclusive, high-quality education. He emphasizes SUNY’s holistic approach to student success, including civic engagement, support for students with disabilities, mental health initiatives, and addressing food insecurity.
Watch highlights from Day 1 below.
Day 2 highlights
Day two began with a moving performance by students from the St. Timothy's School, who inspired us with their rendition of “Psalm 23”, and “Dream Keeper” conducted by their teacher, Mercy Calhoun-Dion.
Dr Lewis Ferebee, Chancellor of DC public schools (DCPS) followed with his remarks. He touched on the commitment DCPS has to ensuring every student in the district receives a quality education. We were truly moved by his impactful speech.
Our keynote, Dr Charles Fadel, delivered a thought-provoking address on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in education. He explored how educators can adapt to this new era and harness AI as a powerful tool for success. Charles Fadel is a global education thought leader, author, futurist and inventor. He is the founder and chair of Center for Curriculum Redesign, chair of the education committee at BIAC/OECD, a member of the OECD AI Experts group, and co-author of Education for the Age of AI, Artificial Intelligence in Education, Four-Dimensional Education and 21st Century Skills.
Watch highlights from Day 2 below.
Day 3 highlights
Breakout sessions
In addition to the general sessions, attendees engaged in over 100 breakout sessions organized into four distinct tracks: educational technology and innovation, inclusive education and well-being, learning and teaching, and leadership. See below for some session highlights!
Supporting student and teacher well-being: presented by Jen Merriman and Jen Pleszkoch from the International Baccalaureate - In this session, attendees learned from the latest research on student and teacher well-being and heard practical tools and strategies that educators can use to enhance their own well-being, increase their resilience and learn about skills to enhance student well-being.
Approaches to learning boost: Unleash the power of visible thinking routines: presented by Andrea Medina and Shoonit Khoshen from the Metropolitan School of Panama - This session invited educators to explore how visible thinking routines can actively promote and enrich approaches to learning. Participants learned how they can incorporate thinking routines to structure and scaffold conversations, make students’ thinking visible, and keep track of the individual and collective learning journeys.
DP deep dive into curriculum and programme developments: presented by Danny Meltzer, Jamie Schlais and Ryan Joyce from the International Baccalaureate – Attendees joined members of Diploma Programme (DP) development team as they shared a deep dive into the IB’s continuous improvements and innovations in DP subjects and components. With a focus on upcoming subject launches for 2024 and 2025, attendees learned about near-term developments as well as the longer-term vision for the DP.
Day 3 closed out with a lively celebration dinner at the prestigious Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.
Watch highlights from Day 3 below.
Day 4 highlights
Our final community voice, Angelina Xu, delivered a thoughtful speech to open up our closing general session. Angelina is a class of 2024 graduate from Richard Montgomery High School, where she received an International Baccalaureate diploma. This fall, she will be studying Environmental Science and Public Policy and Economics at Harvard College. In the Maryland Association of Student Councils, she served as the President, where she presented on behalf of youth needs and policy recommendations to the Maryland State Board of Education, Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals, and legislators such as Representative Steny Hoyer (MD-05).
Our keynote, Steve Bollar, a.k.a. Stand Tall Steve, followed with a captivating and inspiring address. Steve is an educational thought leader, former Superintendent of Schools, principal, author and a school culture and motivation expert. He is known for his quick wit, creative thought, and humorous personality. Steve has been identified as one of the Top 30 Global Gurus In Education. He is the author of the leadership book Stand Tall Leadership, school culture book Ideas, Ideas, Ideas! and is a contributing author in the book Because of a Teacher and School Climate 2.0: Preventing Cyberbullying One Classroom at a Time. Steve openly shares his knowledge, experiences and creativity with others. He currently speaks to students, staff and communities throughout the world about how to think differently about schools, education, and life.
We remember his presentation with the quote, "When you stand TALL you don't think small.”
A heartfelt thank you
We extend our deepest gratitude to all educators, speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors who contributed to the success of the IB Global Conference, Washington DC. Your dedication and enthusiasm made this event a memorable and impactful experience.
Attendees can log in to the conference app to download session slides that have been shared by presenters.
Looking forward
We look forward to seeing you at the IB Global Conference, New Orleans 2025! Stay connected and relive your favorite moments from the conference on social media with #IBGC2024.
See you next year!
