#CEESA2026 Speaker Spotlight: Dominique Smith

Dominique Smith at CEESA 2026 brings a clear focus to one of the most urgent priorities in education today: designing schools where people feel they truly belong – students and adults alike. As Principal of Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego, California, Dominique is an international speaker and author known for helping schools shift culture and climate in ways that strengthen connection, safety, and engagement.

The 36th Annual CEESA Conference takes place in Sofia, Bulgaria, with pre-conference learning on March 12 and the main conference on March 13–14 at Grand Hotel Millennium, hosted by the Anglo-American School of Sofia. If your role touches school culture, wellbeing, teaching and learning, or leadership, Dominique’s keynote and sessions belong on your conference plan.

About Dominique Smith

Dominique Smith, Ed.D. holds a doctorate in educational leadership from San Diego State University and is passionate about making a positive impact on students’ and staff lives. His sessions at CEESA 2026 connect research-informed ideas to practical, school-ready strategies – helping educators turn “belonging” from a value statement into intentional daily practice.

What you’ll take away from Dominique’s sessions at CEESA 2026

Expect learning that helps you strengthen both student experience and adult culture, including:

• Practical ways to build belonging through daily interactions and schoolwide systems
• A clearer understanding of how classroom environments communicate who matters
• Strategies to support staff belonging so adults can show up energized and effective
• Tools to strengthen educator credibility and psychological safety
• Concrete next steps you can apply in classrooms, teams, and leadership practice

   

Featured sessions with Dominique Smith at CEESA 2026

Belonging in Schools: Designing Schools Where Everyone Matters

Date: March 13 and 14, 2026
Location: Grand Hotel Millennium
Connected to the keynote, this interactive session explores the 11 Dimensions of Belonging and how they shape a student’s opportunity to learn—through classroom messages, schoolwide systems, and everyday interactions. A key theme is that belonging must include adults, not only students: when staff feel valued and included, collaboration and effectiveness rise.

Short takeaways:

• A deeper lens for seeing how belonging is built (or eroded) in daily practice
• Practical strategies to intentionally design classrooms and campuses for connection
• Reflection and application steps you can bring back to your school immediately

   

The Power of Educator Credibility: The Foundation of Student Achievement

Date: March 13 and 14, 2026
Location: Grand Hotel Millennium
This session explores how educator credibility influences motivation, behavior, and learning outcomes. Participants examine four dimensions—trust, competence, dynamism, and immediacy—and identify practical ways to strengthen credibility across classrooms, teams, and leadership. The message is direct: credibility isn’t extra; it is foundational.

Short takeaways:

• Clear insight into the four credibility dimensions and how students experience them
• Guided reflection to identify credibility strengths and growth areas
  Strategies to build psychological safety and stronger learning relationships

   

KEYNOTE: Creating a Sense of Belonging

Date: March 14, 2026
Location: Grand Hotel Millennium
“No matter who you are, you search to belong.” Dominique’s keynote connects belonging to learning, culture, and climate—highlighting that leaders must build adult belonging so educators can bring their best selves to students.

Why Dominique’s sessions will resonate with international educators

International schools thrive on relationships, trust, and a strong sense of community—yet belonging can become uneven when systems, routines, and expectations are left to chance. Dominique’s work offers a grounded, actionable pathway for educators and leaders who want to strengthen culture without relying on slogans—by aligning daily practice with intentional design.

Thanks to our sponsor: International Schools Services (ISS)

This CEESA 2026 Speaker Spotlight is proudly sponsored by International Schools Services (ISS), supporting international school communities and educator growth worldwide.

See you in Sofia

If you want learning that strengthens school culture in ways people can feel—plan to join Dominique Smith at CEESA 2026 in Sofia, March 12–14. Add his keynote and sessions to your schedule and register to be part of the conversation that helps every student and every adult feel connected, capable, and valued.

Read more and register today.