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Derek Smith

Head Teacher

I am Head of School at the International School of IITA in Nigeria and have served as Chair of the Executive Committee and President of the AISEN. I have also worked with the British Council, and the Alliance Française to improve learning and teaching across Nigeria. After volunteering as a math teacher in local schools in Guinea Bissau I worked with the European Union and the Ministry of Education to develop a four-year in-service training program for science and math teachers throughout the country. Following this I worked with international schools in The Gambia, where I partnered with the national government, the World Bank, and local private sector companies to introduce the internet into classroom teaching. My passion for education extends beyond my role as a school leader. I was a founding member of the British Council Schools Network and played a key role in the launch and roll-out of the British Council's Core Skills development program in Nigeria. As a member of the Board of Trustees of AISEN, I introduced a monthly in-service training program for teachers from international schools across Nigeria, attended by over 200 teachers each month. I have spoken on 21st-century education and leadership development at conferences in Nigeria and internationally. I have received several awards for my contributions to international education, including the ISA award and the Outstanding Principal of the decade award from Africa Top Schools.