Headlines

BTC Completes its First Year of its New One-Year On-the-Job Teacher Preparation Program. Nearly 200 teachers completed this program in the past semester

Dr. Osama Al-Mahdi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Education Studies, is currently editing a book entitled Innovations in Educational Leadership and Continuous Teachers' Professional Development. The book's chapters are authored by both BTC faculty members and faculty members in education colleges around the world. 

The Bahrain Teachers College (BTC) is currently in the process of applying for accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), a US-based organization that is recognized by the US Department of Education and is perceived to be the most important such board.

In the fourth article of this series on digitization, we focus on impact monitoring. The Bahrain Teachers College has been learning to take full advantage of the suite of tools in the University of Bahrain's Microsoft 365 package.

The Bahrain Teachers College (BTC) is currently in the process of applying for accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), a US-based organization that is recognized by the US Department of Education and is perceived to be the most important such board.

The Bahrain Teachers College, which has been operating virtually since the 26th of February, completed its academic year with students a few weeks ago. Each year around this time, the college invites students and faculty together to wish its leaving students farewell.

During the campus closure as a result of COVID-19, the faculty and students of the Bahrain Teachers College had some very difficult decisions to make about one of its most important courses: Teaching Practice.

In this third article in a series, we look at one goal of a digitally-enhanced education: mindset development so that all Bahraini school graduates have the skills to be effective members of an increasingly knowledge-based workforce.

The Bahrain Teachers College (BTC) is currently in the process of applying for accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), a US-based organization that is recognized by the US Department of Education and is perceived to be the most important such board.

While the Bahrain Teachers College had already been in the midst of a strategic plan to increase the digitization of its teacher education, the COVID-19 pandemic sped up the process. Upon the campus closure on the 25th of February, the college immediately set out on a plan to keep learning going.

The Bahrain Teachers College is currently in the process of applying for accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), a US-based organization that is recognized by the US Department of Education and is perceived to be the most important such board.

The Bahrain Teachers College has been involved in a strategic effort to digitize its curriculum and its operations. This article was intended for publication on 24 February. Just one day later, the Kingdom of Bahrain announced the closure of schools and universities to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Bahrain Teachers College is currently in the process of applying for accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), a US-based organization that is recognized by the US Department of Education and is perceived to be the most important such board.

Dr. Neesha Malik, lecturer in the Department of English Language Education, spoke on the topic of Synchronizing Online Learning at this academic year's final TeachMeet, which was held in a virtual format on the 1st of June, 2020.

Upcoming graduates of BTC’s Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) program, a one-year on-the-job initial teacher preparation program, demonstrated their competencies to panels of faculty members .

E-portfolios, a tradition at the Bahrain Teachers College, whereby graduating students demonstrate their knowledge and skill in all of the college's 9 Teacher Competencies.

Dr. Lucy Bailey, Associate Professor in the Department of Education Studies, gave a virtual lecture today on research methodologies versus research methods to BTC faculty, through the Microsoft365 Teams platform.

Dr. Mounir Saleh, Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Science, gave a virtual lecture today on research question development to BTC faculty.

تنظم جمعية باربار الخيرية ملتقى للطلبة المقبلين على الجامعة عبر المنصة الإلكترونية في بث مباشر وذلك بمشاركة من الأستاذ المساعد بكلية البحرين للمعلمين الدكتور أسامة المهدي

Bahrain Teachers College organized a successful virtual training session for its faculty on Microsoft365 OneNote

استضافت إذاعة البحرين كل من الدكتورة معصومة المطاوعة والدكتور اسماعيل المهدي والسيدة فاطمة الشاعر، أعضاء الهيئة الأكاديمية بكلية البحرين للمعلمين، في برنامج اطروحات

Dr. Kamal Taha, Associate Professor at Bahrain Teachers College, had participated in the Second Annual Scientific Seminar entitled “Sharia Foundations to Build and Stabilize Society”...

Injaz, leading non-profit organization for empowering the young at Bahrain, organized a one-day innovation camp “ICamp” today, in coordination with Bahrain Teachers College.

Bahrain Teachers College welcomed Ms. Tana Ebaugh, a consultant who works in collaboration with the United Stated Embassy, for the second time in 2019, based on a grant from the Regional English Language Office. This month, she presented workshops on a near-daily basis.

His Excellency, the Ambassador of Thailand in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr. Thanis Na Songkhla, organized a delegation visit of Chulalongkorn University faculty.

Students of the Bahrain Teachers College were honored for winning the first place position in the National Day activities for the second consecutive year.

The Department of Arabic Language and Islamic Studies organized its annual celebration of Bahrain’s National Day, under the supervision of the Dean of the College, Dr. Ted Purinton, and the Department Head, Dr. Amal Al-Zayed...

Ms. Alison Scherer, who recently taught English for a US Embassy program in Thailand, has joined the Bahrain Teacher College for two years based on a program from the US Embassy

Dr. Faten AbdelHameed, Associate Professor at the Bahrain Teachers College, was honored as one of the leading female academics in higher education by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ebrahim Al-Khalifa.

All BTC Year 3 students have just completed a one-month “Teaching Practice” internship (full time) at schools across the country.

Ms. Jessica Cinco, a guest from the US Embassy Regional English Language Office, came to campus yesterday to deliver a workshop to students and faculty on differentiated instruction.

Teaching Practice is now well underway for the 2019-2020 academic year. Teaching Practice, the BTC label for clinical supervision of student teaching, has been an important feature of the college since its founding in 2008.

Her Majesty’s British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr. Roderick Drummond, invited BTC faculty members last night to the embassy to debrief the recent English Language Teachers Conference.

Last night, a lecture delivered to a faculty team at Kent State University in Ohio via Skype by Dr. Sana Al Haddad, Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Science, and Dr. Funda Ornek, Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Science, chronicled the history of the department

Many new teachers, as well as many school leaders, came to separate program orientations this week at the Bahrain Teachers College. Over 200 teachers are joining BTC’s Post Graduate Diploma in Education.

Ms. Bani Arora, Lecturer in the Department of English Language Education, delivered a talk to local private school educators on aspects of professionalism in teaching. The talk was delivered at Level 5, a new education innovation hub on the site of Riffa Views International School..

The faculty of the Bahrain Teachers College welcomed new Foundation Year Program students on Thursday morning, September 12, at the University of Bahrain’s Shaikh Abdelaziz Hall.

Dr. Masooma Al Mutawah, Head of the Initial Teacher Education Department of the Bahrain Teachers College, was chosen to write and film a documentary script for the winner of Shaikh Isa Award for Service to Humanity.

In two separate web-based meetings, faculty of the Bahrain Teachers College begin deliberate steps toward solidifying strong partnerships with international universities.

For a full day, Bahrain Teachers College faculty were given the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops and trainings. One such workshop was given by Dr. Osama Almahdi, Dr. Lucy Bailey, and Dr. Rayenne Dekhinet.

With the support of a grant from the Regional English Language Office at the US Embassy, the Bahrain Teachers College is hosting a curriculum specialist for one month to work with faculty on possible revisions to its Foundation Year Program curriculum.

US Ambassador to Bahrain Justin Siberell invited the Bahrain Teachers College faculty to a celebration of the ongoing partnership between the embassy’s Regional English Language Office and the college on June 20, 2019.

Dr. Ted Purinton, Dean of the College, spoke on a panel about higher education in Bahrain at the 100 Year celebration of formal education in Bahrain on the 11th of June, 2019.

A team from Microsoft visited BTC to work with faculty and administrative staff on conceptualizing ways in which the college can better prepare its students for the technological requirements and expectations at the Ministry of Education.

In a recent visit by Dean Dr. Ted Purinton and ICT Instructor Ms. Fatima Al Shaer to the Hidd Intermediate Girls School, a closer linkage was shaped for the college with schools in the Ministry of Education that are showcasing the various digital tools through the Ministry.

Ms. Madhavi Tiwary, Lecturer in the Department of English Language Education, displayed two of her works of writing--a poem and an article--at the recent exhibit...

Dr. Masooma Al Mutawah, Head of Initial Teacher Education Department for BTC, participated recently in the Asian Conference on Education & International Development in Tokyo, Japan.

Nine students from the Bahrain Teaching College were selected to participate in the pilot. In the program, each student participated in video role plays, completed online learning requirements, and analyzed personal feedback on coaching performance.

The Student Advisory Committee of the BTC met with the college’s Academic Board to discuss issues of concern among students and to collectively strategize for BTC’s future development.

In a recent visit by Dean Dr. Ted Purinton and ICT Instructor Ms. Fatima Al Shaer to the Zanoubia Intermediate Girls School in Muharraq, a closer linkage was shaped for the college with schools in the Ministry of Education...

Inagurating its new web-enhanced teaching studio, Year 3 students Mohamed Al Sheroqi, Sumaya Mohamed, and Moza Issa were the stars of a new video...

The Bahrain Training Institute hosted a two days conference, beginning today, for faculty members from the college, as well as from BTC and the Bahrain Polytechnic.

A team of five BTC faculty members, led by Associate Professor Dr. Faten Abdelhameed, traveled to New Zealand last week as a delegation intended to strengthen the partnership started last year between BTC and the University of Auckland College of Education and Social Work.

On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, the Bahrain Teachers College formally celebrated its ten years of operation. With an event patronized by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, Chair of the Supreme Council for the Development of Education and Training, every seat in the large Sheikh Abdelaziz Hall of the University of Bahrain...

BTC’s Leadership Center, launched in October 2018, was inaugurated on February 20, 2019, following the 10 year anniversary celebration of the Bahrain Teachers College. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, Chair of the Supreme Council for the Development of Education and Training, inaugurated the center...

Following the 10 year anniversary celebration of the college on February 20, 2019, BTC graduates--now working in Ministry of Education schools as teachers and school leaders--had an opportunity to present their work to guests.

In his address at the college’s 10 year anniversary celebration, the Dean of the Bahrain Teachers College, Dr. Ted Purinton, reflects on the the impact of a teachers college that is closely aligned with the schools in which its graduates will serve.

The Cultural Club of the Arabic Language and Islamic Studies Department at the Bahrain Teachers College held a special celebration of the Arabic Language Day and the distribution of the "Bahrain Love" competition on February 13.

BTC’s Governing Council, chaired by His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Mubarak Juma, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Education, held its first meeting on Tuesday, February 5th, at the BTC campus.

In preparation for its second semester of the 2018-2019 academic year, the BTC faculty met to discuss a variety of logistic topics to ensure a good start to the term.

Kent State University Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Todd A. Diacon visited the Dean of the Bahrain Teachers College yesterday with his colleagues, Associate Provost Marcello Fantoni and CEO of the US Educational Group Mr. Joseph Humadi, to plan for partnership.

BTC students won first place in the National Day competition of the University of Bahrain. With their booth illustrating 100 years of education in Bahrain, as well as the impact of ten years of the Bahrain Teachers College, the students demonstrated creativity in retelling an important history of the country.

Featured speaker, Assistant Professor Mounir Saleh, delivered a “high-engagement” large scale lecture to nearly 300 students in the Sheikh Abdelaziz Hall at the University of Bahrain.

As part of its effort to increase the practical relevance toward teaching in schools, the Teaching Practice Department of the Bahrain Teachers College hosted a workshop for its Year 4 students on First Aid.

The Gulf Cooperation Council Best Teacher Awards for 2018 went to three graduates of the Bahrain Teachers College: Mr. Ahmed Abdulameer Ahmed Ali, who graduated in 2014; Ms. Fatima Salem, who graduated in 2015 and is now a Cycle 1 teacher at the Muharraq Primary School for Girls; and Ms. Muneera Al Zayani, who graduated in 2013 and is now a Science Teacher at the Arad Primary School for Girls.

Dr. Masooma Al Mutawah, Head of the Department of Initial Teacher Education, participated as a member of the Executive Committee of the International Organization of Folk Art in Valencia, Spain

To enhance the work of the Leadership Center, the Bahrain Teachers College commenced a partnership with the University College London Institute of Education (UCL). UCL's Centre for Leadership in Learning operates a program much like BTC's new Leadership Center, which focuses on providing targeted support to struggling schools.

A BTC initiative in the first semester of the 2018-2019 academic year has called for experimentation with blended/online teaching and learning strategies.

The University of Bahrain's 2018 National Day Celebration was held on Wednesday, December 12th. The university’s tradition has been for each college to design a booth in order to demonstrate the importance of the college's academic field to Bahrain's development.

In celebration of ten years of the three educational reform pillar institutions of Bahrain, the Economic Development Board released this video. Designed to demonstrate the impact of ten years of investment in these institutions, the video illustrates Bahrain’s commitment to educational reform.

Dr. Khaled Al Baker, Director of Government School Reviews at the BQA, unveiled the Fourth Cycle Framework for Schools Reviews with the faculty of the Bahrain Teachers College. 

In an address this week to the faculty of the Bahrain Teachers College, Mr. Richard Rooze, Director of the British Council Bahrain, discussed its Teaching for Success Framework, which will be applied to the college in a review of the college’s teaching quality. 

The US Embassy in Bahrain has continued to partner with the Bahrain Teachers College by providing guest speakers, fellows, and English language tutors.

Dr. Ted Purinton, the Dean of the College, gave a lecture on International and Transcultural Studies at Columbia University’s Teachers College on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Head of the Initial Teacher Education Department at BTC and Assistant Professor in the Department of Math & Science Dr. Masooma Al Mutawah represented Bahrain’s Presidential Office of the International Organization of Folk Art

The US Embassy in Bahrain has continued to partner with the Bahrain Teachers College by providing guest speakers, fellows, and English language tutors. One such speaker, Dr. Carol Cao, an expert in special education and a director for special education at a school in Los Angeles, California.

At the latest meeting of the Supreme Council for Education and Training, Dr. Ted Purinton, Dean of the College, presented BTC’s strategy for internationalization.

A new initiative from the Bahrain Teachers College, connecting BTC faculty, Ministry of Education staff, and school principals was launched this morning. The Leadership Center, a research and outreach unit within the college, began with an introduction by Assistant Undersecretary Ms. Latifa Albunoodha, who welcomed all participants and discussed the purpose of the center.

Three BTC faculty members presented papers at the conference. Dr. Parween Ebrahim, Head of the Department of English Language Education, presented a session titled “Using multi-literacies to develop 21st century thinking skills in the ELT classroom.” Dr. Neesha Malik, lecturer in the Department of English Language Education, presented a paper titled, “Reflective practice: From practicing reflection to reflective practice.” Finally, Dr. Ismail Elmahdi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Education Studies, delivered a paper titled, “Using Google Earth in classrooms to create virtual lessons.”

Through a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Bahrain Quality Assurance Authority (BQA), the BTC is nearly ready to launch its new Leadership Center, intended to be a venue for school leader coaching for principals serving schools that are considered by the BQA to be performing inadequately.

In October 2008, Bahrain’s comprehensive Economic Vision 2030 was launched by his Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, setting out the road for Bahrain’s economic development strategy.

After decades of research searching for the single most important factor in teacher education, scholars have identified it as clinical teaching practice within a university-based teacher education program. For this reason, the most reform-minded faculties of education throughout the world have recently been adding in significant clinical practice components and enhancing university faculty mentorship for future teachers while they work within schools as interns.

The British Council, a registered charity in Great Britain, operates in over 100 countries to provide English language education, as well as to promote scientific cooperation with the United Kingdom. With an active educational staff in Bahrain, the British Council is a leader within the Kingdom in teaching English, as well as instructional methodology and assessment practices.

As one of its goals is to obtain international recognition and accreditation of its teacher education programs, a team from Bahrain Teachers College attended the CAEPCON2018, which was held in Washington, DC, in mid-September 2018.

Bahrain’s Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training was established the same year as the Bahrain Teachers College--2008. It provides a global standard quality assurance model to ensure high standards in all educational institutions in Bahrain.

The Bahrain Teachers College began its inauguration week for new students for the 2018-2019 academic year on Thursday, September 6th, 2018. Dr. Masoomah Almutawah, Head of the Initial Teacher Education Department, said that the college will receive over 400 students who will start the study next week.

The College of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland is a global leader in literacy research and school leadership preparation. In a partnership just established, the University of Auckland and the Bahrain Teachers College will collaborate on research for leadership and literacy and develop structures for mentoring junior faculty in their research.

In an end-of-year address to the faculty of the Bahrain Teachers College, Ms. Saba Seyadi, Executive Director of the AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation, shared her expectations that further collaboration with the college would be beneficial to both the Foundation and to the future prospects of education improvement in Bahrain.

Having just returned in 2008 from earning his PhD at the University of Bristol, and having conducted research on school-community partnerships, Al Mahdi recalls rumors of changes to his alma mater. His bachelor’s degree came from the College of Education in 1995, and his masters, as well, in 2000.

As part of its efforts to build closer relationships with social organizations in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the BTC has recently established a collaborative agenda with Al-Mabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation, a leading local NGO that supports and empowers Bahraini youth.

Led by Dr. Faten Abdelhameed, Head of BTC’s Department of Research, new collaborations have been forged with important in-country institutions, such as the Higher Education Commission Scientific Research Directorate, the Al-Mabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation, the British Council, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical University in Bahrain.

The University of Bahrain, like many universities around the world, has been steadily promoting interdisciplinary research across faculties. For faculty members trained in advanced specializations, and with distinct boundaries across disciplines, interdisciplinary research is often a great challenge.

After a few years without a permanent dean, the Bahrain Teachers College welcomed in January 2018 Dr. Ted Purinton as its new dean. Purinton succeeds Dr. Abderrahim Abbas, Dean of Admissions and Registration at the University of Bahrain.

In an effort to shape partnerships between private and public schools in Bahrain, the BTC has encouraged dialogues about school improvement efforts and literacy achievement. One such instance took place on April 30th, 2018

On a recent visit to the Nadeen School by four Bahrain Teachers College (BTC) faculty members, as well as the dean, discussions about reading strategies, teacher professional development, and literacy curricula took place in a cozy corner of the school's faculty resources library.

Along with the Bahrain Teachers College, the Bahrain Polytechnic is celebrating its tenth year in 2018. On April 22, 2018, the Polytechnic held its mid-year Academic Symposium Opening Ceremony under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President, Bahrain Olympic Committee, and Captain, Bahrain Royal Endurance Team.

In his graduation address to recent Bahrain Teachers College graduates, Dr. Riyad Yousef Hamzah reflects on the role that the graduates play in the Bahrain 2030 vision. 

In his graduation address to recent Bahrain Teachers College graduates, Dr. Mohamed Mubarak Jumaa reflects on innovative approach that the college uses to transform quality education in Bahrain.

In his first graduation address as Dean of the Bahrain Teachers College, Dr. Ted Purinton reflects on the significance of the college and the role that Bahrain’s teachers will play in the economic and social development of the country. 

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland since 2004 has operated a campus in Bahrain. The College prepares medical professionals in a variety of healthcare fields.