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29 September - 1 October 2026 | The Arena, Riyadh | Saudi Arabia.

Shahad Obaid

Assistant Head Primary - Student Experience and Progress - Beechhall School Riyadh

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Shahad Obaid is an experienced educator with over a decade of professional experience in student-centred educational settings. Originally trained in pharmacy, her career path shifted purposefully toward education, where she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and continues to pursue further professional development in educational leadership.

Her work is grounded in a strong commitment to inclusion, student wellbeing, and school culture. Shahad believes that effective education extends beyond academic outcomes to include care, belonging, and trust. She has worked closely with diverse learners, families, and school teams, supporting students’ social, emotional, and learning needs within inclusive environments.

Shahad’s leadership perspective is shaped by both professional practice and lived experience as a mother of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This dual lens informs her advocacy for equity and dignity in education and strengthens her focus on care-centred, relational leadership.

As a reflective practitioner and lifelong learner, Shahad believes that care is not separate from leadership. She continues to advocate for schools where students and educators feel seen, supported, and valued.

Speaker Sessions

Leaders in Education 1499

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بناء أسس قوية: التميز في تعليم الطفولة المبكرة في السياق السعودي

Session Summary:

يُعد تعليم الطفولة المبكرة حجر الزاوية للتعلم مدى الحياة، حيث يشكل التطور المعرفي والاجتماعي والعاطفي خلال السنوات الأكثر أهمية من النمو البشري. تستكشف هذه الجلسة المناهج القائمة على الأدلة في تعليم الطفولة المبكرة التي تتماشى مع التزام رؤية السعودية 2030 بالتميز التعليمي والقيم الثقافية. سيكتشف المشاركون كيفية إنشاء بيئات تعليمية مناسبة للنمو تحترم التراث السعودي بينما تُعد المتعلمين الصغار للنجاح في مشهد عالمي سريع التطور. تؤكد الجلسة على الاستراتيجيات العملية لتنفيذ التعلم القائم على اللعب، وتعزيز تطوير اللغة العربية، وبناء شراكات قوية بين العائلات والمعلمين والمجتمعات. انضم إلى هذه الجلسة من أجل:

• تعلم كيفية إنشاء بيئات تعليمية مناسبة للنمو تدمج القيم الثقافية السعودية والمبادئ الإسلامية وتطوير اللغة العربية مع دمج أفضل الممارسات الدولية في تعليم الطفولة المبكرة

• اكتشاف كيفية تطبيق التعلم القائم على اللعب، والاستكشاف القائم على الاستقصاء، وأطر التعلم الاجتماعي العاطفي التي تدعم التطور الشامل للطفل وتُعد الطلاب للنجاح الأكاديمي المستقبلي بما يتماشى مع أهداف رؤية 2030

• استكشاف استراتيجيات إشراك العائلات والمجتمعات كشركاء نشطين في تعليم الطفولة المبكرة، وإنشاء شبكات داعمة تمتد بالتعلم إلى ما وراء الفصل الدراسي وتعزز الهوية الثقافية مع تعزيز التميز التعليمي

 

 

Speakers

  • x
    Maryum Nawaz | Partnership Development Manager MENA - FinlandWay Preschools
  • X
    Farah Darazi | PYP Coordinator & Vice Principal - Advanced Learning Schools
  • x
    Shahad Obaid | Assistant Head Primary - Student Experience and Progress - Beechhall School Riyadh
  • Jennifer Mayorga
    Jennifer Mayorga | Elementary School Teacher - American Schools Dhahran (International Schools Group)
  • x
    Adila Naidoo | Assistant Head of Primary & Academics - Beech Hall School Riyadh
  • Maisa Almatrafi
    Maisa Almatrafi | Early Childhood Educator KAUST Section - Building Blocks School
  • Maria Johnson
    Maria Johnson | Teacher/Owner/Manager - Little School, New Zealand

Categories

  • Pre-school and Early Years
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Building Strong Foundations: Early Childhood Education Excellence in the Saudi Context

Session Summary:

Early childhood education serves as the cornerstone of lifelong learning, shaping cognitive, social, and emotional development during the most critical years of human growth. This session explores evidence-based approaches to early childhood education that align with Saudi Vision 2030's commitment to educational excellence and cultural values. Participants will discover how to create developmentally appropriate learning environments that honour Saudi heritage while preparing young learners for success in a rapidly evolving global landscape. The session emphasises practical strategies for implementing play-based learning, fostering Arabic language development, and building strong partnerships between families, educators, and communities. Join this session to:

 

• Learn to create developmentally appropriate educational settings that integrate Saudi cultural values, Islamic principles, and Arabic language development while incorporating international best practices in early childhood education

• Discover how to apply play-based learning, inquiry-driven exploration, and social-emotional learning frameworks that support holistic child development and prepare students for future academic success aligned with Vision 2030 goals

• Explore strategies for engaging families and communities as active partners in early childhood education, creating supportive networks that extend learning beyond the classroom and strengthen cultural identity while promoting educational excellence

Speakers

  • x
    Maryum Nawaz | Partnership Development Manager MENA - FinlandWay Preschools
  • X
    Farah Darazi | PYP Coordinator & Vice Principal - Advanced Learning Schools
  • x
    Shahad Obaid | Assistant Head Primary - Student Experience and Progress - Beechhall School Riyadh
  • Jennifer Mayorga
    Jennifer Mayorga | Elementary School Teacher - American Schools Dhahran (International Schools Group)
  • x
    Adila Naidoo | Assistant Head of Primary & Academics - Beech Hall School Riyadh
  • Maisa Almatrafi
    Maisa Almatrafi | Early Childhood Educator KAUST Section - Building Blocks School
  • Maria Johnson
    Maria Johnson | Teacher/Owner/Manager - Little School, New Zealand

Categories

  • Pre-school and Early Years

// GESS EDUCATION INSIGHTS

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