Carl Reis

Background

About Carl Reis

From as far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a desire to work with people and have a positive impact in their lives. Before qualifying, I worked part time with previously disadvantaged adults who were being trained in their second and third languages. Mentoring has always been a passion of mine, and I was privileged to be mentored by a ‘community giant’ at my 3rd teaching job. Here I headed up academic subjects, bringing in a more creative approach to teaching and focusing on skills rather than just rote learning, and although an academic at heart they thrust me into the area of sports as a Senior teacher. Later at my 4th job experience, as Vice-Principal of the Kings School Westrand, I was given the opportunity to head up the Pre-Primary and Primary sections of the school. Here I lead a team looking at curriculum from around the world and began the process of designing "our school" curriculum. We also trained teachers in concepts of “Future Proofing our Children” This also resulted in the creating of the Mentoring program used throughout the school for pupils and teachers. I loved the opportunity to extend my knowledge into the foundational years of the development of a child and current neuroscience theories when involved in the piloting of an Early Childhood and Foundation Phase Education programme, called: BrainBoosters, that trained parents and teachers in establishing strong foundations in children. I also became an accredited assessor and moderator, and served both BrainBoosters, and a CWP in the Eastern Cape: Siyakhlowa. Later I returned to Trinityhouse Randpark as a Vice Principal, being promoted to Snr Deputy within this same school a year later. Here I continued with teacher training – in Blooms Revised Taxonomy, Active learning, Traditional vs Modern teaching styles. I also managed the process of international accreditation with IPP (Investors in People). Here I completed my postgrad degree, obtaining my Honours in Educational Management and leadership. I'd always dreamt of teaching abroad and after researching about the education reform in The UAE, applied, interviewed and relocated. The curriculum being used in public schools was the New South Wales Curriculum (OBE), with which I was familiar, as a skilled based curriculum had been evolving in South Africa for some time. With ADEK’s moving to a Common Core Curriculum, I again broadened my curriculum knowledge and experience. As this journey continues I look forward to the learning, growing, imparting and sharing of ideas and experiences.