The 2026 NESA Educators Training Institute Recap and Gallery

The warmth and camaraderie of being with so many educators who were eager to learn was an amazing experience.ETI26 Delegate

The NESA 2026 Educators Training Institute (ETI26) brought together more than 300 educators from schools across the NESA region January 22-24 on the beautiful, state-of-the-art campus of the American International School-Riyadh (AISR). It marked the first time the ETI has been held in Saudi Arabia – widening access to professional learning and creating space for all voices.

The NESA ETI is designed to support educators in a powerful stance of inquiry, growth mindset, practice and reflection. The extended institute design allows time for skill development, in-depth exploration and collaborative inquiry.

VIEW THE ETI26 VIDEO PRODUCED BY AISR

*NESA Executive Director Maddy Hewitt welcomes delegates to ETI26 at AIS-Riyadh.*

The three-day program kicked-off January 22 with the Instructional Coherence (IC) Institute. On Day 1, delegates rotated through cross-cutting clinics centered on UDL principles:

“Culture, Identity and SEL” with Jacinta Williams
“Inquiry” with Trevor McKenzie
“Neurodiversity and Inclusion: Special Needs” with Lee Ann Jung

These specialists then presented workshops January 23-24 on the same topics to delegates following the two-day ETI program.

*Instructional Coherence Institute delegates collaborating in small groups at their introductory plenary session facilitated by Trevor McKenzie.*

Other three-day certification workshops January 22-24 offered were “Teaching from the Back of the Room” with Joy Marchese, and “The ISCA International Counseling Model” with Cheryl Brown.

Instructional Coherence participants continued Days 2 and 3 in discipline-specific workshops focused on best practices in their subject area:

Arabic (K-12) with Hanadi Dayyeh
Literacy (K-6) with Meghan Hargrave
Mathematics (K-7) with Megan Holmstrom
Mathematics (8-12) with Ryan Grady
Science (K-12) with Chris Charnitski
Social Studies (K-12) with Matthew Bornstein-Grove
World Languages (K-12) with Mariana Curti

I liked the opportunity for deep, collaborative professional learning with teachers from across the region. The sessions allowed for meaningful reflection, inquiry, and exploration of high-impact practices – all in a supportive, engaging environment.ETI26 Delegate

Additionally, Anita Churchville presented a two-day institute remotely on “Neurodiversity and Inclusion: Gifted and Talented”. Other two-day role-specific workshops included “Leading from the Middle: An Institute for Middle Level Leaders” with Joelle Basnight and Colin Boudreau, and “From Excellence to Impact: An Institute for Administrative Assistants & Support Staff” with Uzma Ahmed.

ETI26 speakers (l-r): Jacinta Williams, Lee Ann Jung, Marianna Curti, Chris Charnitski, Ryan Grady, guest co-presenter Britton Riehm, Megan Holmstrom – and Hanadi Dayyeh in second row – at the Opening Plenary.

At NESA events, collaboration and connection extend beyond the professional learning. This year, AISR, in partnership with NESA and presenter Jacinta Williams, organized a “Saudi Cultural Immersion Evening” on Friday, January 23. Delegates were invited to explore four cultural “doorways” for an authentic Saudi experience that honored the values of hospitality, land, lineage, story, beauty and joy. Traditional Saudi music accompanied food, sweets, tea and other refreshments, as well as traditional handicrafts for sale, and henna and calligraphy stations.

ETI delegates enjoy a Saudi Cultural Immersion Evening on the AIS-Riyadh campus.

We thank Superintendent Colin Boudreau, Director of Learning Amanda Knight, and the faculty and staff of the American International School-Riyadh for hosting ETI26, and to every educator who made ETI26 such a powerful shared experience!