Maria Johnson

Teacher/Owner/Manager - Little School, New Zealand

Maria Johnson is a qualified primary and early childhood educator with over 40 years of classroom experience working alongside teachers, children, and families. She holds degrees in both Primary and Early Childhood Education and has completed specialist training in Integrated Listening Systems (ILS).
An award-winning education leader in New Zealand, Maria was most recently recognised as a finalist in the national Leadership Awards and has received multiple awards for her contribution to pedagogy and professional development.
Maria has founded and led seven early childhood centres in New Zealand, embedding neuroscience-informed, movement-based, and relational approaches into daily practice. Her work focuses on strengthening the neurodevelopmental foundations that support academic progress, social confidence, and emotional regulation.
In 2025, she began collaborating with educators in Saudi Arabia to implement brain-aligned teaching practices within early childhood settings, where measurable improvements in engagement and learning readiness have been observed.
Her professional mission is to advance early childhood education globally by translating neuroscience into practical classroom strategies -changing education around the world so that no child is left behind.

Speaker Sessions

Leaders in Education 1499

Sep 29 2026 | 4:05pm - 5pm

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

Maryum Nawaz | Partnership Development Manager MENA - FinlandWay Preschools
Sabine ElArissy | PYP Coordinator - Etqan Global Academy - A Nord Anglia School
Farah Darazi | PYP Coordinator & Vice Principal - Advanced Learning Schools
Shahad Obaid | Assistant Head Primary - Student Experience and Progress - Beechhall School Riyadh
Tracy Austin | Founder and Headteacher - Phileas Fox Nursery School / Academy Nursery School
Jennifer Mayorga | Elementary School Teacher - American Schools Dhahran (International Schools Group)
Adila Naidoo | Assistant Head of Primary & Academics - Beech Hall School Riyadh
Maisa Almatrafi | Early Childhood Educator KAUST Section - Building Blocks School
Maria Johnson | Teacher/Owner/Manager - Little School, New Zealand