Great educators in Qatar will have an opportunity to become even greater.

University and college educators have been invited to the first-ever Great Teachers Retreat to be staged in Doha next year.  University of Calgary - Qatar is hosting the event planned for February 4-6, 2010. 

The Great Teachers Retreat is a grassroots movement that has developed over the last 35 years and driven by passionate educators.  The movement was founded by David Gottshall in 1969.  Gottshall retired from teaching after dedicating 33 years to the profession.   He will attend the Doha event and deliver the keynote address.  Gottshall says, "Great Teachers focuses on performance in the classroom and on the nature of the great teacher.  It is based on the notion that teachers learn to teach best from one another and such learning is most effective if it occurs among participants from a random variety of teaching fields and experience."

The GTR movement has spread throughout the United States and Canada and continues to have a profound influence on faculty development in higher education. It provides an environment for educators to focus on the art of teaching and share their collective wisdom and creativity.  Jackie Dumont, a UCQ instructor and a member of the organizing committee attended a GTR in Canada in the 90's.  She says, "It had a profound impact on how I teach and how I feel about teaching."  Alison George, a Math Instructor at the College of the North Atlantic - Qatar says her GTR experience "revived my dedication to students, student learning and it reconfirmed that I am a good teacher.  I would highly recommend any educator to attend this seminar because it is truly a life changing experience."  Chris Thomas, UCQ's Chief Librarian and member of the organizing committee says his GTR experience, "Re-energized me and helped me refocus my teaching priorities.  David Gotshall led the seminar and his enthusiasm, passion and energy was contagious."

The Retreat will be held at the Al Sultan Beach Resort.  Registrations are being offered on a first-come basis.  Early registrants will be granted a discount on the registration fee.  Deadline for the early bird bonus is December 17^th.  Attendance will be limited to 50 participants.  More information is available at:  http://www.qatar.ucalgary.ca/greatteachers

Great Teachers Organizing Committee members
(left to right) Chris Thomas, Jackie Dumont and Brad Johnson