LV

I am ready for a long road flight for work with a week- or months-long projects.

LV

EIS Teacher Development Conference

5 April 2025

Exupery International School
Jaunā iela 10, Piņķi, Latvia

The Neur

science

of Learning

Date of Conference

Date: 5 April 2025
Working Languages

English
Participation Fee

30 EUR including coffee breaks and lunch

Date of Conference

Date: 5 April 2024
Working Languages

English
Participation Fee

30 EUR including coffee breaks and lunch

Date of Conference

Date: 5 April 2024
Working Languages

English
Participation Fee

30 EUR including coffee breaks and lunch

About the Conference

Welcome to Exupery International School’s fourth annual teacher development conference. Our 2025 conference will be all about the neuroscience of learning. Throughout the day, we'll be debunking common brain myths, deepening our understanding of how the brain works, and exploring inclusive, practical ways to apply neuroscience to support the learning and development of all students. Our focus will be on creating strategies that benefit diverse learners, ensuring that every student can thrive in their unique learning journey. We'll also critically examine the limitations of neuroscience in education, ensuring that we use this knowledge effectively and responsibly.

Are you ready to take your teaching to the next level? Then get ready for an engaging and enlightening experience that will transform the way you think about teaching and learning!

Participant registration

Agenda

9:00 – 9:30

Registration and Networking

9:30 – 10:30

"Our Fascinating Brain and the Science of Learning"

Keynote – Arturs Pilkevics

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:30

Deep Dive Session I

12:30 – 13:30

Lunch

13:30 – 15:00

Deep Dive Session II

15:00 – 15:30

Closing Words

Key Conference Themes

Session I

Vēsma Sandberga

Teaching Children with Developmental Trauma I

Understanding Complex Developmental Trauma (CDT).
CDT’s impact on learning.
Correlation between attachment styles and learning, self-regulation and learning.

4

Brenna Weston Bell

Amazing Teens, the Adolescent Brain (Focus on Ages 11–14)

Key features of brain development during adolescence.
Impacts on behavior, decision-making, and learning.
Classroom strategies tailored for middle school students.

3

Artūrs Piļkēvičs, Julija Kovaļova

Key features of brain development during early years.
The importance of emotional Intelligence, play based teaching and strategies for their development.
The concept of brain integration and its use in everyday work with young learners.

"Terrible" Twos and the Preschool Brain (Focus on Ages 0-5)

2

Metacognition in Teaching & Learning

1

What is metacognition and why we should care.
Strategies and activities designed to help develop metacognitive skills in students.
Teacher metacognition – sharing of Olga’s action research.

Fleur Serriere, Olga Šancovaja

Session II

Memory, Learning, and the Brain-Based Teaching Strategies

Artūrs Piļkēvičs

Short-term and long-term memory and the mechanism of learning.
Teaching strategies for long-term potentiation and retrieval.
Brain maintenance advice: sleep, exercise, stress management.

3

Alina Jeremenko

Reasearch in neuroscience – the importance of feedback for learning.
Hands-on techniques to give and receive feedback and adapt teaching.
Creative yet practical approaches that spark deeper engagement and elevate every learner’s success.

Beyond Testing: How to Know That Learning Is Happening

2

Game Based Approach and the Reading Brain

1

Game based approach to teaching.
The neuroscience of play based learning across the ages.
The social brain and harnessing the social aspect of learning.
Understanding reading through the lens of neuroscience.
Strategies to promote reading as a tool for foreign language acquisition among teenagers.

Jekaterina Pavlova, Līga Grundšteine

Teaching Children with Developmental Trauma II

4

Understanding Complex Developmental Trauma (CDT).
Sensory needs of children with CDT.
Correlation between connection-based relational approach and learning.

Vēsma Sandberga

Participant registration

Speakers

Brenna Weston Bell

Learning Support Teacher and Learning Support Program Coordinator

Brenna Weston Bell has over 22 years of experience in education, working across early years, primary, secondary, and learning support. She specializes in supporting neurodiverse learners and promoting inclusive practices. Brenna’s work focuses on creating accessible learning environments and fostering collaboration among educators to meet the diverse needs of all students.
Artūrs Piļkēvičs

Head of School

Artūrs Piļķēvičs is an educator with 17 years of experience as teacher and educational leader in international schools on three different continents. Apart from serving as the Head of Exupery International School, Artūrs is a founder and CEO of the non-profit organization and blog “Metacognio.com” that offers professional development and workshops on the topics related to neuroscience in education.
Alina Jeremenko

Middle & High School Principal

Alina Jeremenko is a Middle & High School Principal with over a decade of leadership experience in international and bilingual settings. By combining her extensive practical expertise with a recently earned MA in Education Leadership and Management from Keele University and ongoing professional development through the Principals’ Training Center (PTC), she remains at the forefront of evidence-based teaching and learning.
Jūlija Kovaļova

Preschool Principal

Jūlija Kovaļova is a preschool principal and passionate educator with many years of experience in teaching and leadership. She began her career as a foreign language teacher in primary and secondary schools, always looking for new and effective ways to inspire her students. Jūlija believes in the importance of early childhood development as the foundation for future success in school. She is a strong advocate for teaching emotional intelligence, helping children build confidence and develop the skills they need to succeed in school and life.
Fleur Serriere

DP Coordinator, Head of Languages, TOK and French B Teacher

Fleur, a PhD candidate in Education, is researching how teacher-led action research can foster adaptive expertise. Her interest stems from her 28 years of experience teaching diverse students, from primary to adult learners, and working with teachers across three continents, particularly within the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. Fleur's goal is to empower teachers to enhance their self-efficacy, which research, such as that by Hattie, identifies as a key factor in student learning.
Olga Šancovaja

ELL Coordinator and ELL Teacher

Olga is a Preschool and Primary School ELL Coordinator and Teacher, with a Master's degree in International Education. She is currently participating in Fleur's research, exploring how reflective practice can impact learning outcomes within the ELL context. Passionate about fostering student autonomy, Olga is looking for effective strategies to build students' confidence in taking ownership of their learning beyond the ELL classroom.
Līga Grundšteine

Latvian Studies and ELL Teacher, M&H Librarian

Līga is an educator specializing in teaching English and Social Studies in international settings. Originally trained as a social anthropologist, she discovered her true passion for education and has become a dedicated advocate for reading, particularly among teenagers. Now an English teacher and secondary school librarian, Līga integrates her passion for free reading into teaching English as a foreign language.
Jekaterina Pavlova

IB Russian Language Teacher

Jekaterina is a language teacher with over 19 years of experience in Primary and Secondary schools. She is a strong practitioner of inquiry-based pedagogy and her passion lies in using the game-based approach. She has been sharing her experience by leading workshops and presentations for teachers at Exupery International School and other schools.
Vēsma Sandberga

“Latvijas kristīgās alianses bāreņiem” valdes priekšsēdētāja, atbalsta centrs „TILTS” sociālā darbiniece un apmācību vadītāja

Vēsma Sandberga is MSW with 14 years of experience working with children from difficult circumstances and their adoptive/foster families. Part of her responsibility is to collaborate with schools in order to be an advocate between school staff and foster/adoptive families in understanding children with complex developmental trauma. She is certified TBRI, TCC, PRIDE, VIP program trainer for new foster and adoptive families, experts in the field, educators, legislators as well as children from troubled circumstances. Vēsma is an adoptive parent herself with 18 years’ experience of raising a child with Complex Developmental Trauma (CDT).

Brenna Weston Bell

Learning Support Teacher and Learning Support Program Coordinator

Brenna Weston Bell has over 22 years of experience in education, working across early years, primary, secondary, and learning support. She specializes in supporting neurodiverse learners and promoting inclusive practices. Brenna’s work focuses on creating accessible learning environments and fostering collaboration among educators to meet the diverse needs of all students.
Artūrs Piļkēvičs

Head of School

Artūrs Piļkēvičs is an educator with 17 years of experience as teacher and educational leader in international schools on three different continents. Apart from serving as the Head of Exupery International School, Artūrs is a founder and CEO of the non-profit organization and blog “Metacognio.com” that offers professional development and workshops on the topics related to neuroscience in education.
Alina Jeremenko

Middle & High School Principal

Alina Jeremenko is a Middle & High School Principal with over a decade of leadership experience in international and bilingual settings. By combining her extensive practical expertise with a recently earned MA in Education Leadership and Management from Keele University and ongoing professional development through the Principals’ Training Center (PTC), she remains at the forefront of evidence-based teaching and learning.
Jūlija Kovaļova

Preschool Principal

Jūlija Kovaļova is a preschool principal and passionate educator with many years of experience in teaching and leadership. She began her career as a foreign language teacher in primary and secondary schools, always looking for new and effective ways to inspire her students. Jūlija believes in the importance of early childhood development as the foundation for future success in school. She is a strong advocate for teaching emotional intelligence, helping children build confidence and develop the skills they need to succeed in school and life.
Fleur Serriere

DP Coordinator, Head of Languages, TOK and French B Teacher

Fleur, a PhD candidate in Education, is researching how teacher-led action research can foster adaptive expertise. Her interest stems from her 28 years of experience teaching diverse students, from primary to adult learners, and working with teachers across three continents, particularly within the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. Fleur's goal is to empower teachers to enhance their self-efficacy, which research, such as that by Hattie, identifies as a key factor in student learning.
Olga Šancovaja

ELL Coordinator and ELL Teacher

Olga is a Preschool and Primary School ELL Coordinator and Teacher, with a Master's degree in International Education. She is currently participating in Fleur's research, exploring how reflective practice can impact learning outcomes within the ELL context. Passionate about fostering student autonomy, Olga is looking for effective strategies to build students' confidence in taking ownership of their learning beyond the ELL classroom.
Līga Grundšteine

Latvian Studies and ELL Teacher, M&H Librarian

Līga is an educator specializing in teaching English and Social Studies in international settings. Originally trained as a social anthropologist, she discovered her true passion for education and has become a dedicated advocate for reading, particularly among teenagers. Now an English teacher and secondary school librarian, Līga integrates her passion for free reading into teaching English as a foreign language.
Jekaterina Pavlova

IB Russian Language Teacher

Jekaterina is a language teacher with over 19 years of experience in Primary and Secondary schools. She is a strong practitioner of inquiry-based pedagogy and her passion lies in using the game-based approach. She has been sharing her experience by leading workshops and presentations for teachers at Exupery International School and other schools.
Vēsma Sandberga

“Latvijas kristīgās alianses bāreņiem” valdes priekšsēdētāja, atbalsta centrs „TILTS” sociālā darbiniece un apmācību vadītāja

Vēsma Sandberga is MSW with 14 years of experience working with children from difficult circumstances and their adoptive/foster families. Part of her responsibility is to collaborate with schools in order to be an advocate between school staff and foster/adoptive families in understanding children with complex developmental trauma. She is certified TBRI, TCC, PRIDE, VIP program trainer for new foster and adoptive families, experts in the field, educators, legislators as well as children from troubled circumstances. Vēsma is an adoptive parent herself with 18 years’ experience of raising a child with Complex Developmental Trauma (CDT).

Participation Fee

For participants

€30

Conference fee 30 EUR includes admission to all conference sessions, coffee break, lunch, as well as certificate of participation with 8 h of officially approved professional development for educators.

For participants

€30

Conference fee 30 EUR includes admission to all conference sessions, coffee break, lunch, as well as certificate of participation with 8 h of officially approved professional development for educators.

Participant registration

Key points of the conference in 2024

The Future of Inclusive Education Conference

March 2024

300 educators and parents from Latvia

21 speakers from Brazil, Latvia, the UK and the USA

24 keynotes, sessions and panel, workshops and discussion

Participation in the conference was officially recognized as 8h of state approved teacher professional development program

Reviews

Gunta M.

The day passed quickly and was very interesting. I had the chance to connect with other professionals. My work will be full of inspiration in the near future.

Inese B.

I’m already looking forward to the next conference and specific training. I feel inspired, and a hope that I thought was lost has returned. Thank you so much for the open and sincere atmosphere! I would love to work with people like all of you!

Gunita T.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to meet so many knowledgeable specialists in inclusive education, hear their experiences and research, and gather ideas for my future work with students.

Jeļena Š.

I have attended all of your conferences and would like to say that it’s the best experience I’ve ever had—both theoretical and practical. I truly hope you continue, as you’ve chosen excellent presenters. Thank you so much. Your conferences are the crown jewels of professional development events for teachers. And a big thank you for the tour around the school!

Agrita G.

I expanded the circle of professional acquaintances, which will enrich the practice of teaching and learning.

Vladlena S.

After the conference, I feel much more confident and accepting when it comes to working with special needs students. As a language teacher, I discovered many useful techniques and new methods that I can implement in the classroom. I also made valuable new contacts with whom I can collaborate.

The day passed quickly and was very interesting. I had the chance to connect with other professionals. My work will be full of inspiration in the near future.

Gunta M.

I have attended all of your conferences and would like to say that it’s the best experience I’ve ever had—both theoretical and practical. I truly hope you continue, as you’ve chosen excellent presenters. Thank you so much. Your conferences are the crown jewels of professional development events for teachers. And a big thank you for the tour around the school!

Jeļena Š.

The day passed quickly and was very interesting. I had the chance to connect with other professionals. My work will be full of inspiration in the near future.

Gunta M.

I have attended all of your conferences and would like to say that it’s the best experience I’ve ever had—both theoretical and practical. I truly hope you continue, as you’ve chosen excellent presenters. Thank you so much. Your conferences are the crown jewels of professional development events for teachers. And a big thank you for the tour around the school!

Jeļena Š.