CONTEXT AND GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The Teachers Forum of the European Schools (TFES) is an initiative that was first launched by the Italian Presidency of the European Schools (2023-2024), based on the recommendation of the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (‘Report on the system of European Schools: state of play, challenges and perspectives’, June 2023[1]). TFES provides an opportunity to bring together the national education systems with the system of European Schools (ESS), while giving the opportunity to educators of both to share and exchange best practices and innovative teaching experiences on subjects of common interest.

 

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Organized by the Cyprus Presidency of the European Schools (2024-2025), the Teachers Forum of the European Schools 2025 (TFES2025) endeavors to provide professional development opportunities to teachers of the ESS and the Cyprus educational system. Through the exchange of “Ideas Worth Seizing”, TFES2025 will foster these exchanges that are in line with the following educational priorities of the Cyprus Presidency:

(1) Providing a pathway to improve the quality of the working environment and teachers’ level of wellbeing;

(2) Building a respectful and supportive school community that fosters a sense of meaning and purpose for all pupils;

(3) Looking at education as a critical implementation tool for sustainable development.

 

TARGET AUDIENCE

Participation is strongly encouraged from educators, directors, deputy directors and inspectors serving in nursery, primary and secondary schools of the system of European Schools, in addition to local teachers.

Attendance is expected from national education representatives of the Cyprus school system, as well as other local and international stakeholders.

WORKING LANGUAGE

The working language of TFES2025 is English. Interpretation will be not be available.

 

APPLICATIONS FOR THE WORKSHOPS “Ideas Worth Seizing”

The TFES2025 will put teachers front and center. In accordance with the motto of the Cyprus Presidency, «ΔΡΑΞΑΣΘΕ ΠΑΙΔΕΙΑΣ» (DRAXASTHE PAIDEIAS | en. “Seize Education”), teachers are invited to present best practices and share innovative teaching ideas during workshop sessions (organized within a thematic series and in line with the educational priorities of the Cyprus Presidency).

Teachers are welcome to submit a proposal that is connected to one of the following three series of workshops:

• Teachers’ Well-being in the School Environment

Aiming to build on guidelines and practices that focus on the holistic approach of teachers’ wellbeing, Priority 1 focuses on the following key pillars: (a) satisfaction with self and work; (b) positive effects of wellbeing on the school environment; (c) individual and collective sense of meaning and purpose; (d) effective cognitive functioning (i.e. increased attentiveness, self-efficacy); (e) quality social interactions with others, (i.e. students, parents, colleagues and administration).

Proposals may focus on one or more of the following areas: (a) the quality of learning environments (in association with students’ well-being); (b) teachers’ stress levels and (c) motivation to continue teaching.

• Pupils’ Well-being in the School Community

There are documented benefits to enhancing the overall well-being of pupils in school.  Their wellbeing impacts not only their academic performance but their overall happiness. Priority 2 emphasizes the creation and enhancement of a respectful and supportive school community as a pathway to pupils’ well-being. A more positive school environment is achieved through assisting pupils and teachers in taking the initiative to design their own well-being programs.

Proposals may focus on one or more of the following areas: (a) building safe spaces (in association with teachers’ well-being); (b) students’ stress levels and (c) wellness breaks and efforts to combat overuse of personal devices and connection to social media.

• Well-being in Education for Sustainable Development

In order to become learning communities of sustainability for all, Education for Sustainable Development requires radical transformation of schools. Priority 3 focuses on the competencies and the learning environments needed to support teaching and learning for sustainability, as an intrinsic dimension of the Whole School Approach (vision, ethos, governance, pedagogy, infrastructures, resources, professional development, assessment, school and community collaborations). With a view to living and acting more sustainably, Priority 3 intends to enhance both teachers’ and learners’ relevant knowledge and competencies, through mentoring schemes and a school-based program focused on a competence-based approach. The intended outcome is for all European Schools to integrate sustainability into teaching and learning, as well as looking at how the ESS can support the move to a greener and more sustainable Europe.

Proposals may focus on one or more of the following areas: (a) teacher and pupil support for promoting and enhancing education for sustainability; (b) ways in which well-being is interconnected with UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how both contribute mindfully to the promotion of each and (c) Whole School Approach to the implementation of SDGs.

In each of the three (3) workshop series (see above), five (5) workshops will be presented. For more details, please see the attached ‘Preliminary Program’.

Each workshop is allotted 90 minutes. Proposals for workshops should focus on providing participants the opportunity to discover innovative practices and initiatives on specified topics, and exchange ideas within a hands-on learning experience. Collaborative workshop proposals, submitted by a team of contributors, are also encouraged.

 

Applicants are required to complete the ‘Workshop Proposal’ form (please see SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS below on how to access the form). Workshop proposals should be submitted in English. Each workshop must contain all pertinent information, including the following:

• Workshop title;
• General outline and description of the workshop (up to 500 words);
• Main objectives and intended learning outcomes;
• Facilitator(s) contact details and a short biography (1-3 persons);
• Specify any practical requirements (audio-visual support, room layout, etc.);
• An abstract of a maximum of 150 words.

 

APPLICATIONS FOR THE TEACHERS’ EXHIBITION OF POSTER OR VIDEO PRESENTATIONS “Ideas Worth Seizing”

Teachers are also invited to share best practices and innovative teaching ideas, according to the three thematic series listed above.  Posters and video presentations will be installed in the TFES2025 Teachers Exhibition Area from Sunday, April 6. Chosen applicants are required to be present during the Exhibition on Tuesday, 8 April at 15:00. Applicants are required to complete the ‘Presentation Proposals’ form (please see SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS below on how to access the form). Presentation proposals should be submitted in English.

Please note that teachers who submit proposals for workshops can also submit an application for a poster/video presentation.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

All submissions must be received no later than Sunday, 19 January 2025 by 23:00 CET.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

Proposals shall be submitted by completing the form via the following link:

→ For workshop proposals click here: https://forms.office.com/e/j4wfwGDjMf

→ For poster/video presentation proposals click here: https://forms.office.com/e/qkhUyJa3c0

Submissions received by the deadline will receive a notice of confirmation of receipt.

SELECTION OF THE WORKSHOPS “Ideas Worth Seizing”

All submitted proposals will be reviewed by the appointed Scientific Committee. The selection of the fifteen workshops (3 series x 5 workshops each) will be made according to the following criteria:

• Clarity of the workshop proposal as it relates to one of the given topics
• Pedagogical and didactic innovation
• Student-centeredness and learning differentiation
• Curricular integration and European dimension
• Efficacy of the implementation of the “Idea Worth Seizing”

Each proposal will receive a final score by the reviewers. All the submitted proposals will be ranked according to the evaluation score. The top 15 proposals will be notified by e-mail no later than Friday, 31 January 2025. In the event of withdrawal by a selected participant, the order of the ranking list will be followed.

At the end of the selection phase, the list of all applications received will be published on the website of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth of the Republic of Cyprus and of the European Schools.

SELECTION OF THE TEACHERS’ EXHIBITION PRESENTATIONS “Ideas Worth Seizing”

All submitted proposals will be reviewed by the appointed Scientific Committee. The selection of the presentations in poster or video format will be made according to their relevance to the thematic series and their pedagogical impact. Selected presentations must be hand-deliverable and installed by the responsible teacher or designated school representative. All selected presentations will be notified by e-mail no later than Friday, 31 January 2025.

SELECTION OF THE WORLD CAFÉ PRESENTATIONS “Ideas Worth Seizing”

Due the unexpected and overwhelming interest in the TFES Workshop Series “Ideas Worth Seizing”, the Organizing Committee unanimously decided to include the top ranked proposals that were not selected for the workshop series to be featured in the World Cafe “Ideas Worth Seizing”. This open and interactive format will give teachers the opportunity to learn from their colleagues even more incredible ideas beyond the workshops and to connect with others in parallel with the Teachers Exhibition and Networking Hub.

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Co-chairs

• Thomas Xenopoulos Peccini
• Dr. Tatiana Shiamma-Charilaou

Members

• Efi Dariou
• Maria Eracleous
• Stella Hadjiachilleos
• Dr. Kalliroe Halamandaris
• Nectaria Ioannou
• Nicolina Karaolia
• Dr. Christiana Marmara
• Foteini Massou
• Simoni Partakidou
• Dr. Simoni Photiou
• Dr. Stavros Stavrou
• Dr. Aravella Zahariou

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Cyprus Presidency of the European Schools is available to respond to any queries, prior to the submission deadline, at the following e-mail address: [email protected]