Dr. Connie Mitchell

Director, Teaching and Learning Center - Prince Sultan University

Dr. Connie Mitchell is a seasoned educator and academic leader with over 28 years of experience in university-level teaching, curriculum innovation, and institutional development. She currently serves as Director of the Teaching and Learning Center at Prince Sultan University, where she has also held roles as Vice Dean of the Deanship of Quality Assurance and Development, Vice Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences, and Chair of the English Department. Dr. Mitchell is a Higher Education Academy Principal Fellow and recipient of Education First’s Teaching Excellence Award (2020). She chairs the Arab Consortium of Teaching Learning Centers (ACTLC) Board and serves on the Board of Directors for the Ministry of Culture’s Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission in Saudi Arabia. Her research interests include academic writing, faculty development, and sustainable education practices. She received a Sustainability Champion Award in 2023. She has also achieved Carbon Literacy Certification in the same year.

Speaker Sessions

Leaders in Education 1499

Oct 1 2026 | 2:50pm - 3:30pm

Developing Educator Excellence: Building Capacity from Pre-Service to Veteran Teachers

Session Summary:

Creating exceptional educators requires a comprehensive approach that spans from initial teacher preparation through ongoing professional development. This session explores integrated strategies for developing teaching excellence across the entire career continuum, addressing the critical need to align pre-service training with in-service capacity building for sustained educational impact. The session focuses on building coherent systems that bridge the theory-practice gap, foster collaborative learning cultures, and ensure all educators—regardless of career stage—have the tools, knowledge, and support needed to maximise student success. Join this session to:

• Design integrated development pathways to create comprehensive educator development systems that align pre-service preparation with ongoing professional growth, ensuring continuity and progression throughout teaching careers

• Build collaborative learning ecosystems with mentorship programs, professional learning communities, and peer support networks that connect novice and experienced teachers in mutually beneficial learning relationships

• Implement modern pedagogical frameworks capacity-building programs that address 21st-century teaching competencies, including technology integration, cultural responsiveness, differentiated instruction, and inclusive practices

• Create sustainable support systems that provide ongoing coaching, reflective practice opportunities, and targeted professional development that adapts to individual teacher needs and career stages

Speakers

Abena Appiah | Head of Secondary English - Arcadia British School
Noshaba Anbreen | Assistant Professor Education, SFHEA - University of Birmingham Dubai
Dr. Connie Mitchell | Director, Teaching and Learning Center - Prince Sultan University