Leaders Who Make a Difference

It was a distinguished honor to partake in the illustrious World Education Forum Bulgaria’s master class entitled “Leaders Who Make a Difference” held at the opulent Hotel Imperial in the historic city of Plovdiv on March 28th, coinciding with the prestigious 10th anniversary of WEF Bulgaria. This extraordinary event was adorned with three captivating keynote addresses and expert panel discussions, each meticulously crafted around its thematic core.

Dr. Maria Gaydarova, the visionary founder of the forum and Head Teacher of Raina Kniaginia school, set the tone with her enlightening discourse titled “Digitization in Secondary Schools: Challenges and Solutions.” In her presentation, she eloquently illuminated the profound impacts of globalization and artificial intelligence, underscoring the imperative of discerning misinformation in today’s digital milieu. Dr. Gaydarova also offered invaluable insights into WEF Bulgaria’s involvement in transformative initiatives such as Open Schools for Open Society project and the value of ESHA membership. Her visionary proposals regarding the integration of Adaptive Learning Platforms, VR/AR Technology, and AI-Powered Educational Assistants ignited a spirited exchange among the distinguished panelists, skillfully moderated by Dr. Irena Dushkova.

(https://www.openschools.eu).

Panel: Asen Alexandrov, Dimitar Asenov and Vihra Eramyan

Innovations on a Journey to a Successful School

My presentation, titled “Innovations on a Journey to a Successful School,” unveiled a compelling narrative championing innovative pedagogical methodologies and visionary leadership in educational advancement. Delving into the pivotal role of ESHA in fostering global collaboration and knowledge exchange, the discourse highlighted the transformative EU-funded projects led by ESHA or in which it plays a pivotal role. Dr. Eleonora Lilova orchestrated a thought-provoking discussion among the expert panel of Prof. Manol Manolov, Mariyana Velikova, and Irena Kotseva.

Open educational paradigms

Richard Tallaron from LFEE Europe gave a dynamic presentation on the 21st-century skills indispensable for navigating the ever-evolving global landscape. Stressing the importance of effective communication, logistical prowess, and international collaboration epitomized by programs like Erasmus exchanges. The ensuing panel discussion, expertly moderated by Dr. Vanya Kastreva, delved into nuanced topics such as soft skills cultivation, digital literacy promotion, and the imperative of lifelong learning and adaptability in modern education systems. The dialogue artfully underscored the transformative shift from closed to open educational paradigms, emphasizing the indispensable role of emotional intelligence and resilience.

Panel: Prof. Dr. Siika Chavdarova-Kostova, Prof. Dr. Dora Levterova, Antoaneta Hristova

Dr. Maria Gaydarova’s illuminating interview on Bulgarian television served as a poignant epilogue to the master class, offering further elucidation on the rich discourse and profound insights generated during the event. It affirmed the imperative of embracing innovation and fostering collaborative partnerships to effectively address the multifaceted challenges confronting education in the digital era.

Link to Dr. Maria Gaydarova’s TV interview: https://dox.abv.bg/download?id=5232e55008

Paul Byrne