🧑💻 Join our Free Info Session to learn what PeerSphere can do for you!
Join our Free Info Session to learn what PeerSphere can do for you!
6th Annual Teaching Assistants Conference
Confidence in Action: Building Skills, Shaping Futures
Live Virtual Workshop Sessions: January 20-23, 2026
In today’s dynamic educational landscape, teaching assistants are no longer seen as secondary support—they are essential contributors to student growth and school life. As expectations grow, so must confidence. The 2026 conference theme, “Confidence in Action: Building Skills, Shaping Futures,” is all about helping TAs develop the practical skills and self-assurance to take action and make a meaningful difference every day.
Schools that have registered for our past events:
Designed for Teaching Assistants.
This conference features live virtual workshop sessions and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. It’s designed especially for teaching assistants, co-teachers, and non-teaching assistants in international and bilingual school settings. Teachers who work closely with TAs and co-teachers will also find the sessions useful.
By signing up, participants gain access to the virtual sessions and the recordings. PeerSphere members and ISS EDUlearn Passport holders attend free of charge.
Our Speakers
Keynote
Dr. Sarah Zhou
Director of National Staff Career Path & Professional Development at LifePlus
Keynote Title: Turning Learning into Leadership: How TAs can Shape Their Future?
Presenters
Abby Lee
Early Year EAL Teacher
ISALW International School
Cassie Li
Upper Elementary Teaching Assistant
Nanjing International School
Chloe Xu
Learning Support Assistant
Harrow Shanghai
Fiona Bai
Head of TA
Xi’an Liangjiatan International School
Joy Yang
Upper Elementary Teaching Assistant
Shekou International School
Maggie Jiao
Secondary School Teaching Assistant
Western Academy of Beijing
Michelle Yuan
Teacher, Library & Research
Xi’an Liangjiatan International School
Sophia Suo
Secondary Chinese Teacher
Western Academy of Beijing
Sunny Zhou
Psychological
Counselor
Ella Fang
Lower Elementary School Teaching Assistant
Harrow International School, Shanghai
Wendy Chen
Lower Elementary School Teaching Assistant
Harrow International School, Shanghai
Diana Jumat
ECE Teaching Assistant
United World College Southeast Asia
Emmeline Barnes
Social Emotional Counsellor/ Psychotherapist
Untanglingminds
Hayden Wang
Learning Support Assistant
Western Academy of Beijing
Jodi Bonnette
Instructional Assistant Professional Learning Specialist
Singapore American School
Kathryn Troy
Primary Teacher, Head of Year 1
Australian International School, Hong Kong
Pei Kian Lee
Lower Elementary School Teaching Assistant
Invictus International School
Srinanda Gupta
Dean of Students (Elementary)
Stamford American International School
Veronica McDaniel
MYP Teacher
Atlanta International Schoo
Catch the highlights of last year's TAC
Watch two featured recordings from our Teaching Assistants Conference.
These highlights offer a taste of the engaging conversations and actionable ideas you’ll find throughout PeerSphere’s Teaching Assistants Conference.
The Super Powers of TAs
Presenter: Harish Kanabar
Finding Your Educator Zone of Genius as a Teaching Assistant
Presenter: Kwame Sarfo-Mensah
Join us again this year!
Submit a Presentation Proposal
PeerSphere extends an invitation for you to submit a proposal for a live virtual presentation at our annual conference dedicated to teaching assistants.
We welcome proposals from presenters until October 31, 2025 (Friday). As a token of appreciation, presenters will be eligible for a special discount on conference registration.
Live Virtual Workshop Sessions
January 20-23, 2026
Tuesday to Friday
3:40 PM – 6:00 PM (China Time)
Each day opens with a short keynote speech followed by four practical presentations (two in English, two in Chinese). Led by experienced educators and fellow teaching assistants, sessions will focus on real-world strategies and confidence-building skills including:
Classroom management
Assertive communication
Co-planning and collaboration
Use of technology
Inclusive practices
Supporting diverse learners
Leadership in support roles
Navigating boundaries and responsibilities
Schedule
Time
Tues Jan 20
Wed Jan 21
Thu Jan 22
Fri Jan 23
3:40 – 4:10 pm
Welcome & Introductions (3:40 – 4:00 pm)
Keynote
Keynote: Turning Learning into Leadership: How TAs can Shape Their Future? – Dr. Sarah Zhou
Peer Sharing & Learning
4:10 – 4:20 pm
Opening Message by ISS / PeerSphere (4:00 – 4:40 pm)
Break
Break
Break
4:20 – 5:05 pm
Conference Guidelines (4:40 – 5:05 pm)
Building Collective Capital with our Teaching Assistants (EN) – Srinanda Gupta
Inclusive Education: Supporting Students with Diverse Learning Needs in Mainstream Classrooms (EN) – Hayden Wang
Leading with Heart: Learning Support Assistants, Teachers, and Every Student (EN) – Ella Fang / Wendy Chen
–
–
Building Skills, Shaping Futures: Teaching Decimals to Students (CN) 帮助学生更好地学习小数 – Joy Yang
Say It to Shape It: Teacher Language in the Responsive Classroom (CN) 响应式课堂——教师用语 – Cassie Li
Collaborating for Inclusion: Teachers and TA Working Together (CN) 协作促包容：教师与助教携手共进 – Abby Lee
–
–
Confidence in Action: Supporting Playtime Belonging and Emotional Growth (EN) – Emmeline Barnes
Boosting Student Participation: Designing a Dynamic Language & Literature Course for International High Schools (CN) 提升学生参与度：国际高中的语言文学课程设计 – Sophia Suo
Building Positive Relationships with Students from Diverse Backgrounds (EN) – Chloe Xu
5:05 – 5:15 pm
Break
Break
Break
Break
5:15 – 6:00 pm
Collaborating Across Teaching Philosophies and Diverse Educational Backgrounds (EN) – Diana Jumat
From Passive to Thinking: High-Leverage Questioning that Drives Student Learning (EN) – Jodi Bonnette
Integrated AI in Teaching (EN) – Pei Kian Lee
Teaching Action, Inspiring Change: Guiding the Next Generation of Changemakers (EN) – Veronica McDaniel
–
Supporting Students with Diverse Learning Needs in Regular Classrooms (CN) 在常规教室中支持具有不同学习需求的学生 – Fiona Bai
The Power of In-Class Support: How EAL TAs Empower Learning (CN) 课堂支持的力量：EAL助教如何赋能学习 – Maggie Jiao
Relationships at Work: Making Challenges Easier to Handle (CN) 在关系中成长，轻松应对工作挑战 – Sunny Zhou
Empowering Yourself as a Teaching Assistant (CN) 助教老师如何为自己赋能 – Michelle Yuan
–
Playful Approaches to Developing Math Concepts (EN) – Kathryn Troy
Note: The schedule is subject to refinement.
Who should Attend?
Teaching assistants, learning support assistants, library assistants, arts/music/PE assistants, science/lab technicians, child-care assistants, co-teachers, and classroom teachers working with TAs in international or bilingual school settings.
A certificate of participation will be awarded.
Why Attend?
Gain valuable insights from experts that can enhance your effectiveness and contribute to the overall success of your institution.
Acquire practical strategies and actionable takeaways that can be implemented in your day-to-day responsibilities.
Connect with like-minded professionals, build meaningful relationships, and expand your network within the international education community.
Registration Fees
Early Bird Fee per Participants
US$149 per person
PeerSphere members & ISS EDUlearn Passport holders:
FREE
How will I Learn?
Based on extensive research and years of experience, we have developed a tried and tested model for professional development that will:
Varied Approaches
Enable participants to enjoy a mix of content delivery methods to meet the needs of various learning preferences, including but not limited to lecturers, case studies, discussions, and video showings.
Collaboration
Connect participants to process content collectively and share unique experiences and perspectives in small and large groups.
Practical Strategies
Challenge participants to apply knowledge and tools introduced throughout the conference to their own working context.
Reinforced Learning
Allow participants to review the presentations at their own convenience after the conference to reinforce their learning.
Praise From Our Past Participants
“If you want to be better at your job, please join us at the next conference.”
— Carrie Chu, Dulwich College Beijing
“Learning from awesome people from different backgrounds.”
— Jane Zhang, Nanjing International School
“The whole training is very informative and really inspired me in many ways.”
— Sonia Zhang, Tsinghua International School
We warmly invite you to join us in exploring how you can elevate excellence within your roles. Share experiences, gain valuable insights, and equip yourself with the necessary tools to become a successful professional in education. This conference will pave the way for enhanced educational engagement, student success, and a thriving educational community.
Get inspired, get connected, and get ahead with us!
© Peer Sphere 2025. All Rights Reserved.
© Peer Sphere. All Rights Reserved 2023
© Peer Sphere. All Rights Reserved 2023