October Newsletter

WELCOME to

Mestralia Education Newsletter

October Issue

Let me introduce myself. I am Dr Carmen Millán, an experienced IB educator and examiner, former University lecturer, and the proud Founder of Mestralia Education Services.

Our motto is simple: “Supporting Educators, Empowering Students”, and I am thrilled to have you join this growing community of passionate educators.

Every month I will be sharing valuable resources, expert insights and practical tips to help you enhance your professional development as a reflective educator and hopefully make your teaching even more impactful.

Let's get started!

Our Monthly Topic: “Approaches to Teaching” (#ATT)

Whether you are new to teaching in general or simply transitioning into the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, you have likely encountered the term “Approaches to Teaching”. The IB has a unique educational philosophy that emphasizes not just what students learn, but how they learn.

Approaches to Teaching are essentially the guiding principles that shape this "how." These principles are designed to support both students and teachers in creating an environment that fosters inquiry, critical thinking, and meaningful learning experiences. There are six key Approaches to Teaching, and they are all interconnected:

Informed by Assessment. Assessment places a key role in supporting as well as measuring learning and progress.
Inquiry-Based Learning: Encourages students to ask questions and explore, fostering critical thinking.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Promotes teamwork and peer-to-peer learning, building communication skills.
Conceptual Understanding: Focuses on broader concepts rather than rote memorization, helping students see the bigger picture.
Designed to remove Barriers to Learning: Tailors instruction to meet diverse student needs, ensuring all learners can succeed.
Local and Global Contexts: Lessons are connected to real-world issues, making learning more relevant.

Actions & Reactions:

This section is designed to help you reflect on the various pedagogical aspects of teaching in the IB. Share your views with your colleagues and discuss them in your staff room:

Are the IB ATT (i.e concept based learning, inquiry based learning etc.) unique?
How does each approach influence your planning and teaching?
Why is it important for teaching in the IB to be grounded in inquiry?
How can you promote curiosity in your classroom?
What strategies can you use to make learning more collaborative for your students?
How can you ensure your teaching is informed by real-world global contexts?

Featured Resource:

Unlock a deeper understanding of IB principles with

IB Graphics*

Designed to simplify complex concepts, these visuals bring IB principles to life in a clear, engaging, and stimulating way. Connected with our monthly topic, this month’s featured resource is our first IB-Graphic* ‘Approaches to Teaching (ATTs)’.

If you haven't already done it, you can still download this document HERE to help your students build essential skills while making learning more engaging.

The feedback I have received about this resource has been really positive. Here is what some IB colleagues thought:

“I feel the way you have sat the theory with the practice makes the content especially accessible.” (C. K.)

“Thank you for sharing the infographic, you have captured the information in a way that is simple and easy to understand. All at a glance.” (U. G.)

What’s Coming Next?

UPCOMING FREE WEBINAR - “NEW TO THE IB”

Are you new to the IB?

Feeling a bit overwhelmed?

We’ve got you covered. At Mestralia Education we know that transitioning to the International Baccalaureate (IB) can be exciting but also challenging. That's why we are hosting a free webinar designed specifically for educators who are navigating this journey for the first time.

Webinar Topic: "New to the IB" Date & Time: Tuesday 29th October, 13:00 GMT Host: Dr. Carmen Millán

In this interactive session, we will unpick:

The key principles and philosophy behind an IB education
Practical tips for bringing IB approaches into your classroom
Common challenges new IB teachers face (and how to overcome them)

… and so much more!

This is your opportunity to ask any burning questions you have about the IB, and get expert advice to make your teaching experience smoother and more fulfilling.

RESERVE YOUR PLACE HERE

Looking forward to seeing you there!