When educators grow, students benefit — and Greenburgh CSD’s teachers and administrators are proving it. A team from the District recently joined colleagues from across the region at the Guild of International Baccalaureate Schools (GIBS) Conference in Mystic, CT, last week where they explored innovative ways to deepen inquiry, collaboration, and student voice across every grade level.
Their participation reflected what sets GCSD apart: a strong, connected PreK–12 International Baccalaureate continuum that equips students with the skills to think critically, act ethically, and see themselves as part of a global community.
Among the highlights, two Greenburgh educators — Ms. Valarie D. Williams and Ms. Susana Berkowitz-Torres — took center stage as conference presenters, sharing their expertise and representing the district as leaders in IB education.
Ms. Williams, the K–1 Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator and Reading Teacher at Lee F. Jackson School, led Reimagining IB Units of Inquiry with AI and the Learner Profile, a hands-on session that showed educators how to use artificial intelligence ethically to enhance inquiry-based learning. “The heart of my workshop was the joy on participants’ faces — their excitement to collaborate and create meaningful curricular work using AI to enhance student inquiry,” Ms. Williams said. She added that the District’s emphasis on “I can” statements and productive student discourse aligns perfectly with IB’s global philosophy. “This approach ensures coherence and reflection from PreK through 12th grade — connecting everything we do to who we are as learners and global citizens.”
Ms. Berkowitz-Torres, Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Extended Essay Coordinator, led Moving the Needle: Leveraging the Spectrum of Allies for Effective IB Programme Implementation. Her session explored how school leaders can build momentum for IB programs by turning passive opposition into active collaboration. “The main message of my session was that we can bring about change by working together,” Ms. Berkowitz-Torres said. “The Spectrum of Allies helps coordinators and leaders move away from managing resistance to cultivating movement. The connections we made at this conference are invaluable.”
Dr. Ogechi Iwuoha Njoku, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Programs, and Personnel, reflected on the experience and the impact of the district’s participation. “There were so many gems that came out of the GIBS Conference,” Dr. Njoku said. “Our team represented Greenburgh’s forward-thinking spirit. Ms. Williams and Ms. Berkowitz-Torres brought the Greenburgh Schools to the world stage, demonstrating that our educators are shaping the future of IB learning and collaboration.”
Dr. Farooqi, our Director of Global Learning, added, “The conference reminded us that IB is not just a curriculum; it is a mindset. Seeing our educators share ideas and represent our District with such expertise reaffirmed our mission to make IB truly accessible for all students.”
These sentiments were echoed by IB Coordinators, Mr. Steven Rounds and Ms. Cassandra Buckout. For GCSD, this type of professional learning fuels a culture of excellence. It’s what keeps classrooms innovative, instruction relevant, and students inspired - the very essence of what an IB education is all about.