SEARCH attends the 40th Annual Tri-Association Conference in Panama

SEARCH was excited to be back among Tri-Association members and associates after two years! Senior Associate Dr. Bob Imholt attended the 40^th annual event in Panama City, September 29^th– October 1st. Organized by Executive Director Dr. Michael Adams and his team, the Conference was the first IN-PERSON gathering since fall 2019, just prior to the pandemic.

According to Dr. Imholt, the theme of “Hope” was fitting as we are all emerging from a very challenging two years. During the global pandemic, educators around the world have experienced personal and professional challenges, confronting things we never imagined would happen. The crisis has caused a lot of worry about the state of education and how students and educators would emerge. The conference was a tonic. Bob explained,

It was hopeful and exciting to attend at this conference because it was filled with the energy and enthusiasm of so many educators from around the region—all of them thrilled to back to IN-PERSON and taking advantage of the professional development opportunities at the event.

Many of the breakout sessions were facilitated by leaders and role models in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); innovating practices; new technologies; child protection; and strategies for reaching all learners.

Search Associates (SEARCH) sponsored a special keynote speaker Dr. Tracey Tokuhama- Espinosa. Her presentation, entitled “There is no better time to be an educator,” was a timely one, indeed. Dr. Tokuhama-Espinosa is a Professor at the Harvard University Extension School where she teaches the “Neuroscience of Learning.” She is the Associate Editor of the Nature partner journal Science of Learning and was a member of the expert committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). She is also Academic Director at Conexiones. Author of nine academic books and dozens of peer review articles, Dr. Tokuhama- Espinosa’s current work is aimed at turning research from the learning sciences into usable knowledge for teachers.

Bob enjoyed catching up with heads of school from international schools around the region and meeting SEARCH candidates who stopped by our booth to say hello and learn more about teaching abroad.