
Celebrate the dynamic interplay between teaching as a craft and a calling.
- As a craft, teaching demands creativity, adaptability, and continuous refinement of practice.
- As a calling, it asks for deep connection, trust, and the ability to ignite curiosity and resilience in learners.
This year’s CEESA conference, hosted by the Anglo-American School of Sofia, invites educators to:
- Explore innovative teaching strategies that strengthen student engagement.
- Deepen the human connections that empower learners.
- Re-imagine classrooms as spaces of joyful purpose, inclusion, and belonging.
Through keynotes, interactive workshops, and collaborative discussions, participants will celebrate both the art and heart of teaching and leave inspired to make a lasting impact in their schools and communities.
- Keynotes
- Hour-long workshops
- Exhibition
- Social events
- Coach & AD program
- Pre-conference programs
FEATURED SPEAKERS


Myron Dueck
Myron visits schools, conferences, and districts around the world to share his 25 years of practitioner and leadership experience. He helps educators develop ideas, construct tools and navigate issues surrounding grading, assessment, reporting, student voice and generative AI.
Myron's published work includes numerous journal articles and his best-selling books, Grading Smarter, Not Harder– Assessment Strategies that Motivate Kids and Help Them Learn (ASCD, 2014) and Giving Students a Say! Smarter Assessment Practices to Empower and Engage.
Myron and his family live in Summerland, BC, Canada where he has helped local districts embrace the new provincial proficiency scale, student self-reporting and other significant shifts.


Garfield Gini-Newman
Garfield Gini-Newman is an Associate Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education where he has taught for the past 19 years.
In addition, Garfield is the Senior Consultant with The Critical Thinking Consortium, a role he has held for the past 20 years.
Garfield has authored over 100 books, chapters, articles and reviews. He is currently working on a book titled "Flourishing By Design" with Laura Gini-Newman. The book takes a holistic look at how we promote rich and deep learning in a safe and responsive environment.
Aside from his work at OISE, Garfield consults with the Manitoba and New Brunswick governments on assessment and curriculum design.
He has also worked extensively with schools in Prague, Warsaw, Krakow, South Korea, Argentina, the United States and across Canada.
He is beginning to work with the KAST school in Saudi Arabia and is leading learning with teachers in China, where his book, Creating Thinking Classrooms, has been translated into Mandarin.


Lindsie Boykin
Lindsie Boykin, Ed.S. is an accomplished educator, school leader, and leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience strengthening school communities. She has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, curriculum director, and leadership coach in Detroit and New York City, where she guided significant cultural and academic improvement.
As Founder and CEO of Leaders Need Systems, LLC, Lindsie partners with school leaders to design clear, consistent, and capacity-building systems that reduce burnout and drive sustainable school transformation. Her work has supported leaders across the United States in creating schools where both adults and students thrive.
Grounded in her core values of connection, excellence, and making a difference, Lindsie is committed to equipping leaders—especially leaders of color—to flourish in their roles and lead with clarity, confidence, and impact.


Lauren Jones
Lauren Jones is a global inclusion and leadership consultant. With a master's in Special Education and post-graduate studies at Harvard, her work focuses on sustainable inclusion embedded in school cultures.
As a CIS-affiliated consultant and published author, Lauren previously served as HOS at the International School of Kigali and led inclusive education initiatives at Qatar Foundation. She has partnered with organizations like the Ministry of Education in Rwanda, National Geographic, and Save the Children.
Lauren chairs the board of Parents Alliance for Inclusion, facilitates the Office of Overseas Schools’ Playbook for Expanding and Enhancing Student Support, and AISA’s Small Schools Guide. Her collaborative work includes revising SEN standards for the Middle States Association and contributing to joint SEN accreditation standards with four major accrediting bodies.
Lauren partners to transform school systems and empowers communities to reimagine possibilities for all learners.


Kathleen Naglee
Kathleen Naglee is an international education consultant and leadership strategist with over 30 years of experience in teaching, school leadership, and organizational transformation. For more than 20 years, she led IB World Schools as teacher, coordinator, principal, and director, guiding institutions through curriculum transitions and cultural change.
As the founder of Kathleen Naglee Advisory Services, she now supports schools worldwide in leadership development, strategic planning, and future-focused learning.
Her work blends deep expertise in student-centered pedagogy, leadership psychology, and artificial intelligence in education. Known for her dynamic keynote speaking and practical workshops, Kathleen inspires educators to reclaim joy, agency, and belonging in their classrooms—ensuring that the art and heart of teaching remain at the center of learning.


Azra Pathan
Azra Pathan is the Director of Learning at the International School of Kuala Lumpur. With over 25 years in education, she has served as Elementary School Administrator, Teaching & Learning Coordinator, and Director of Curriculum & Instruction in the United States, India, and Malaysia. She holds a Master’s in Educational Administration & Supervision, certifications in Inclusive Leadership and Cross Language Acquisition, and training from the Equity Literacy Institute. Azra contributes globally through CIS and WASC accreditation work and presents internationally on strategic leadership, change management, and effective teaching. Her initiatives span Social Emotional Learning, equity and inclusion, service and sustainability, and tech integration. Passionate about human-centered schools, she champions approaches that place relationships, belonging, and wellbeing at the heart of learning.


April Remfrey
April J. Remfrey, MS, is an international educational consultant with over 20 years of teaching experience. She partners with international schools to build inclusive learning environments that embrace neurodiversity and support students with disabilities. Through audits, coaching, and tailored professional development, April and the Remfrey Education Consulting team guide schools in strengthening support across all three tiers.
April holds degrees in Special and Elementary Education from Luther College and a Master’s in Exceptional Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her diverse teaching background spans public, private, and international schools across three countries. She serves on the boards of SENIA International and Europe, contributes to SPAN (Safe Passages Across Networks), and is a Council of International Schools Affiliated Consultant.
Based in Zurich since 2013, April enjoys hiking, gourmet cooking, and playing the clarinet in her spare time.


Dominique Smith
Dominique Smith, Ed.D. is a principal a Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego, CA. Dominique is an international speaker and author focusing on shifting the culture and climate of schools to help foster a sense of belonging. Dominique holds his doctorate in educational leadership from San Diego State University. Dominique is passionate about doing everything he can to make a positive impact on students and staff lives.
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Stay at the stunning Grand Hotel Millennium at our special conference rate.
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Book now before it's too late and enjoy free cancellation until February 2.
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