QSI Tbilisi Hosts Regional Professional Development in the Caucasus

The 2025 Regional Professional Development event at QSI Tbilisi, held on November 14–15, brought together over 270 participants, including the host school, QSI Headquarters, the QSI Virtual School, the regional office staff, and more than 190 educators from QSI Yerevan, QSI Minsk, and the QSI International Schools in Baku and Ashgabat.

The two-day event provided opportunities for learning, collaboration, and engaging conversations that left everyone enriched and inspired for the academic years ahead.

Centered around the theme “StratEDgy! Making BOLD Moves for the Future,” the PD sessions guided educators to rethink, innovate, and teach with confidence, covering key topics of modern education, including classroom management, mastery learning, strategies for neurodivergent learners, using AI as a teaching tool, and differentiated instruction.

A major highlight for participants was the chance to meet award-winning author and educator Myron Dueck, who joined as the keynote speaker. Bringing 25 years of experience to the QSI Regional PD, he led several sessions on topics such as grading practices, meaningful assessment, student voice, and the thoughtful integration of generative AI into classroom instruction.

In addition to the keynote, many QSI educators led engaging sessions and even facilitated “job-alike” discussions, sharing their expertise and experiences with colleagues across the region.

The event also celebrated Georgian culture by giving the stage to the renowned Sukhishvilebi Academy. The young dancers opened the conference with traditional Georgian dances, filling the room with incredible energy and leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

During breaks between sessions, educators enjoyed the chance to reconnect with colleagues and friends. Many also explored local vendors on campus offering handcrafted jewelry, textiles, souvenirs, traditional treats, and even some body care products made with Georgia’s famous Saperavi grapes, allowing guests to take a memorable piece of Georgia home.

The visiting schools also had the opportunity to explore Tbilisi’s culture through evening activities in the Old City and other notable locations, including a special tour of the historic town of Mtskheta.

The 2025 Regional PD celebrated learning, culture, and community, bringing QSI educators together and inspiring them to take bold steps toward the future.

On behalf of the QSI Tbilisi team, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the leaders and members of the PD planning committee, our regional supervisor, and everyone who contributed to making this conference a memorable success.

Photos by Giorgi Tatarishvili