Empowering Every Learner: ICS hosts inclusive education workshop with ECM
ICS is dedicated to empowering all educators to support every learner daily
Abu Dhabi: International Community Schools (ICS) recently welcomed Empowering Creative Minds (ECM) for a two-day workshop aimed at equipping educators with inclusive, practical strategies for today’s multilingual classrooms. Based in Spain, ECM brings a global perspective to accessible and creative learning.
Titled "Dyslexia in the Multilingual Classroom: Awareness and Practical Strategies," the workshop took place on July 1st and 2nd, with one day focused on Primary and the other on Secondary education. Each day brought together around 30 educators — five from each of ICS’s six branches. Significantly, participants were not limited to inclusion specialists. In line with the shared belief that inclusion is every educator’s responsibility, the sessions welcomed classroom teachers and teaching assistants alike.
The workshop was led by Shona O’Callaghan, educational consultant and founder of Empowering Creative Minds, whose expertise guided the hands-on, discussion-based sessions.
Key focus areas
Behaviour Management 101, where teachers worked in groups to respond to real classroom scenarios and identify the most effective, inclusive approaches.
Translanguaging and CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning), two frameworks that support multilingual learners by integrating language and content teaching.
Reward systems and inclusive strategies, giving teachers adaptable tools to boost engagement and build student confidence.
Innovative methodologies, with a spotlight on inclusive technologies that enhance learning through a blended approach, combining digital tools with traditional teaching for greater accessibility.
Reflecting on the experience, Mariam Shamma, Project Manager at ICS and a 2016 alumna, shared:
“As someone who is dyslexic, this isn’t just ‘professional development’—it’s personal. The fact that an organisation is actively advocating for inclusive, accessible, and creative learning environments means a lot. It’s a reminder that education doesn't need to look the same for everyone to be effective.”
This workshop was one step in a broader ICS strategy to strengthen whole-school inclusion across all branches — ensuring cohesive practices, consistent support for neurodiverse and EAL learners, and alignment with ADEK’s vision for inclusive education under "Schools for All – Education 2030." By embedding inclusive practices into leadership, classroom teaching, and school culture, ICS is committed to making lasting, system-wide impact.
Empowering Creative Minds is a powerful reminder that inclusive education is not a separate track — it’s the foundation of great teaching. ICS remains committed to empowering all educators, across every role, to support every learner, every day.
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