By: Adeline Lepine
At Mont’ Kiara International School, Professional Development is a critical part of ensuring we maintain our excellence in teaching, learning, and student achievement through the International Baccalaureate programs. To this end, the school organizes opportunities for teachers to engage in collaborative learning experiences.
On February 8 and 9, Mont’Kiara International School hosted an enriching professional development workshop, “Mastering Integration and Interdisciplinarity in Education,” led by internationally renowned educator and consultant Andy Vasily. With 40 enthusiastic participants, the two-day event focused on interdisciplinary teaching strategies. Participants explored meaningful assessment methods and innovative curriculum design, diving into these themes through hands-on engagement.
A Journey of Inquiry and Collaboration
The workshop opened with Framing It Up, prompting educators to reflect on their core motivations—their ‘why’ behind teaching. This introspective exercise set the tone for the rest of the workshop, encouraging participants to approach learning with a renewed sense of purpose.
As the day progressed, educators engaged in Exploration Before Explanation, a hands-on session focused on fostering meaningful student engagement through inquiry-driven lessons. Discussions revolved around the conditions necessary to cultivate intrinsic motivation, ensuring that learning experiences remain authentic and impactful.
Other highlights from Day 1 included Narrowing the Focus, where participants shared strategies to enhance differentiation, and A Dive into Assessment, which explored ways to develop students' assessment capabilities. The day concluded with a reflective Wrap Up, allowing participants to consolidate key takeaways.
Deepening Understanding Through Application
Day 2 built upon the foundational ideas of the first day, beginning with The Power of Provocation. This session emphasized the importance of using thought-provoking prompts to spark curiosity and engagement at the start of a unit. Participants then delved into Time-lining, intentionally mapping out units and ensuring alignment with standards, scope, sequence, and key concepts.
One of the most impactful sessions was Transdisciplinary Learning and Integration, which provided practical strategies for connecting single-subject teaching with broader classroom inquiries. Educators are left with a clearer understanding of collaboration strategies across disciplines to enrich student learning experiences.
The workshop culminated with Putting the Pieces Together, a hands-on session where participants developed comprehensive unit plans, integrating all the concepts and strategies explored over the two days.
A Lasting Impact
Throughout the workshop, purposeful pauses were woven into the agenda, allowing participants to reflect, connect, and exchange ideas in informal settings. These moments of dialogue reinforced the event's collaborative spirit, making it a learning experience and a professional community-building opportunity.
Educators left the workshop energized and equipped with a toolkit of strategies to enhance their interdisciplinary approaches. Andy Vasily’s expertise and facilitation style ensured that each session was both insightful and practical, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended.
As we move forward, the ideas and strategies gained from this workshop will undoubtedly contribute to a more integrated and meaningful learning experience for our students. The conversations sparked over these two days will continue to inspire innovation in our teaching practices, strengthening our commitment to transdisciplinary learning.
In the coming months, we are excited to see how these strategies translate into classroom practices and spark meaningful change across our school community.
