Craig Adamson
Former Head of Digital Transformation(SABJE) and Director of EdTech & Innovation (Linksfield HS)
Johannesburg,Gauteng
Summary
Former curious senior English educator turned implementation specialist and professional development driver. Innovation is a direct result of improving process and reassessing what we know versus need. Built several teams for success and managed ten schools from preprimary school through to matric (South African Natioanl Senior Certificate) acting as a driver for staff and consultant for senior leadership/management. Been fortunate to be involved in many different projects year-on-year.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certificates
Work History
Head of Digital Transformation
South African Jewish Board of Education
Johannesburg
03.2022 - Current
- Worked closely with the Managing Director and Heads of School to create a new vision for digital transformation and adoption of emerging technologies. Since it's creation, I have been responsible for the implementation of this strategic vision. Responsibilities include engaging with stakeholders, evaluating education products, implementing curriculum of coding and robotics, facilitating the adoption of the MIE Expert process and becoming Microsoft Showcase schools.
- As part the IT Strategy Team (composed of the MD, CTO, Project Managers and an external consultant) we coordinate with the heads of school to implement organization-wide training and adopt a curriculum that reflects 21st-century skills from grade R to matric.
- We oversee the procurement of STEAM equipment and upgrading our facilities and ensuring that our teachers and staff are equipped with modern facilities. For example, this year we completed our three phase classroom facilities upgrade - we had new projectors and sound bars installed in the 95% of our environment.
- At King David Linksfield, High School, I Instituted a laptop pilot programs to assess the validity of a 1-to-1 environment in 2021 with the second phase having been implemented in 2023. The process of monitoring and reporting is to get feedback from students and staff to assess any shortfalls within our environment.
- In order to manage the increasing scope of the role, I created the Innovation Agents Cohort team where each school is represented by a member of school. These members of staff are the first line of communication between this role, the heads of school and larger staff body. This was done to promote collaboration and break down knowledge silos, leading to the development of proof-of-concept initiatives and the gathering of evidence and anecdotal experience to develop a clear pathway forward.
- Remodeled the current professional development training series, adapting from an outside-in to a hybrid model of capacity building within our environment to promote our digital champions and increase the visibility of school cohort leaders.
- Implemented a Professional Learning Community initiative across all schools to provide a space and capacity for teachers to reflect on their training and curriculum revision procedures, leading to an improved appraisal and teacher evaluation system.
- Act as a technical advisor in the development of a new online appraisal model that is reflective of the ethos and vision of the organization.
- Collaborated with the Head of Marketing to develop a narrative that aligns with our mission goals as part of the Digital Transformation rollout.
- Managed projects with third-party vendors, ensuring timely deliverables of procurement and policy. Worked with the CTO and Procurement Manager to ensure deadlines and installations were met.
- Gave training on the MIE Expert process and hosted seminars where teachers could attend and upskill themselves.
Director of Educational Technology
King David Linksfield, High School
Johannesburg
03.2020 - Current
- 2020 - Led an internal team to successfully transition from in-person teaching to remote teaching through MS Teams, ensuring that all students continued to receive a high-quality education during the national lockdown. This included training of all staff, writing policy material, providing online training to students and parental stakeholder engagement.
- 2020 - Instituted a proctoring software service in order to accommodate the examination period over 2020. This included training of all staff, writing policy material, providing online training to students and parental stakeholder engagement.
- 2020 - current: as a member of the IT Steerco for all ten schools within the SABJE group. We discuss and implement strategic leadership and guidance to coordinate rollouts and special projects, resulting in improved efficiency and effectiveness. The IT Steerco oversees issues such as governance, policy development, data collation, and necessary areas of improvement in terms of infrastructure and embracing industry 4.0.
- 2020 - current: Worked closely with the HOD of Electives for grade 8 and 9 to develop new curriculum and anticipate changes in education, demonstrating a forward-thinking and innovative approach to leadership.
- 2020 - created and taught the Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence to grade 8s. Deveveloped all the respective work material and assessments.
- 2021 - 2022: taught coding and robotics with Lego Spike Prime to our grade 9 students. The focus was on block based coding with the intent of looking at syntax and script based code development.
- 2021-2022: Worked closely with the Deputy of Operations, the CFO and CTO and other members of SABJE in the development (and construction) of the two new buildings within our campus: The Yards and The Studios & Workshop. These are two new educational teaching spaces are about co-educational spaces and fabrication units - we have laser cutting, 3D printing, an electrical workshop and woodworking workshop.
- 2023-2024: Currently developing the process and adoption of a new professional learning community in order to take advantage of the changes happening within the environment - this includes leveraging capacity and ownership of projects that all staff can contribute meaningfully towards.
- Curated and made the purchasing decisions regarding all the equipment used within our Studios & Workshop spaces. In addition, I've developed workshop specific training to staff and students around 3D printing; laser cutting; wood work and robotics (micro:bits). The larger emphasis is to incorporate it into our curriculum across all our grades.
- 2020-current: Responsible for researching and acquiring educational products within ICT across various subjects, showing a keen ability to identify and assess new technologies and tools that could benefit the school.
- Curated Professional Development related to 21st Century Skills for both teachers and students, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing learning and growth for all members of the school community.
- Involved in the hiring of new staff to help the school achieve its objective of becoming a space of innovation, displaying excellent judgement and decision-making skills in identifying and selecting top talent.
- Tasked with revising internal communication practices and frameworks to align with contemporary practices, demonstrating a strong ability to identify areas for improvement and implement change.
- 2020-2022: Administer our teacher evaluations and student appraisal forms and performance reviews.
- 2020: Moved our parent-teacher evenings online with MS Bookings and administered this year-on-year.
- 2020-current: Administrate our Learner Management System (ADAM) in conjunction with a colleague.
- 2020-2022: Taught combined Grade 11 English class and co-taught Further Studies English during a challenging period of remote learning, displaying exceptional adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity.
- Created an interdisciplinary student-focused project that is adaptable for changes based on the sustainable and national development goals of South Africa, showcasing the ability to develop and lead complex projects with multiple stakeholders. This project has also included the development of a new awards system for students, demonstrating the ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions.
Senior Marker: Independant Examination Board
IEB
Johannesburg
12.2013 - 12.2022
- Started marking for the IEB in 2013 as a marker for the IEB national senior certificate.
- In 2020 I was selected to be a senior English marker. Our responsibilities were to moderate with the internal examiner, communicating with our group on the rigour of marking, monitoring their marking process and providing accurate feedback to ensure the marking process had integrity.
- Committed to being part of the panel of remarkers and a marker for the supplementary papers that are written in March of each year.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
Senior English Teacher
King David Linksfield
Johannesburg
07.2016 - 12.2021
- Experience in teaching grades 8-12 English Home Language.
- Worked together in tandem with other members of the department and tasked with being the grade head for grades 9, 10 and 11.
- Set curriculum and develop course curricula that was stimulating and adhered to the rigorous expectations of the school and independent examination board.
- As Head of Public Speaking I oversaw its growth. I managed, coordinated and performed all administrative duties to ensure that students participated in competitions. I also coached grade 10-12 and managed a cohort of 8 teachers who assisted with this extra curricular.
- I utilised multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Prepared comprehensive English curriculum for multiple classes associated with literature, language and digital citizenship.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date on teaching best practices and enhance educator skills.
- Headed the Further Studies with another member of staff with with a focus a focus on Modernist Poetry and South African plays.
- Adhered to the expectations placed upon teachers in a school environment: commitments relating to detention, school tours and after school professional development.
Senior English Teacher
Felixton College
Richards Bay
03.2013 - 12.2015
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Taught grades 8-12 with the focus on grade 12 students and preparing them for the IEB examination.
- Coordinated with the cluster leader and members in sharing knowledge and resources.
Education
Certificate in Digital Transformation Strategy - Digital Transformation
GetSmarter - University of Cape Town GSB
Johannesburg, South Africa 03.2023 - Current
Certificate in Agile Project Management - Project Management
GetSmarter - University of Cape Town
Johannesburg, South Africa 03.2019 - 05.2021
Certificate in IT Management - IT Management
GetSmarter - University of Cape Town
Johannesburg, South Africa 04.2021 - 06.2022
Certificate in Teaching With Technology - Technology Education
GetSmarter - Wits University
Johannesburg 03.2021 - 05.2021
PGCE - English FET & History FET
Rhodes University
Grahamstown 04.2012 - 05.2012
Bachelor of Arts - English Lit, Political Studies & Inter. Relations
Rhodes University
Grahamstown 01.2009 - 12.2011
Skills
Proficiency in digital management
Accomplishments
Assessed and collaborated with third party vendors in the establishment of professional development programs within the organization.
Took over the role of professional development for all ten schools and conducted professional development with a focus of digital literacy and tech use integration where appropriate.
Developed a team in each respective school phase that would be champions in their own right that reported to me and the MD.
Incorporated a professional development system of professional learning communities to accelerate adoption rate and growth with a focus on empowerment.
Worked with architects and builders as well as the COO, CTO and MD to redefine our library space over a two year project that redeveloped it into a coworking and light fabrication area for students.
Successfully adopted the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert program with the schools for four years with a 70% adoption rate.
Rebuilt the working relationship between ORT South Africa and the South African Jewish Board of Education, acting as the liason between the two organisations.
References
Rabbi Ricky Seeff
General Director of SABJE
seeffr@sabje.co.za
Ariellah Rosenberg
CEO of ORT South Africa
+27 82 852 0411
Michelle Naidoo
Head of Department: Business Studies; Director
Naidoom@sabje.co.za
+27 84 702 9308
Heidi Morgan
South African Jewish Board of Education: External Consultant & Former Director of EdTech
heidijanemorgan@gmail.com
+32 470 52 60 47
Bev Bower
Head of Department: Accounting; Deputy Head
bowerb@sabje.co.za
+27 83 659 0126
Tracy Swartz
Database Administrator and Academic Admin Support
+27 73 388 2871
swartztr@sabje.co.za
Gabriella Tobias
Examination Coordinator for grades 8-11, Senior Mathematics Teacher
+27 83 301 0505
tobiasg@sabje.co.za
Certification
MCE: Microsoft Certified Educator
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
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thursday
friday
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sunday
morning
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evening
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Work Preference
Work Location
RemoteImportant To Me
Career advancementWork-life balancePersonal development programsWork from home optionTimeline
Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals
07-2024
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals
07-2024
MCE: Microsoft Certified Educator
07-2023
Certificate in Digital Transformation Strategy - Digital Transformation
GetSmarter - University of Cape Town GSB
03.2023 - Current
Head of Digital Transformation
South African Jewish Board of Education
03.2022 - Current
Certificate in IT Management - IT Management
GetSmarter - University of Cape Town
04.2021 - 06.2022
Certificate in Teaching With Technology - Technology Education
GetSmarter - Wits University
03.2021 - 05.2021
Director of Educational Technology
King David Linksfield, High School
03.2020 - Current
Certificate in Agile Project Management - Project Management
GetSmarter - University of Cape Town
03.2019 - 05.2021
Senior English Teacher
King David Linksfield
07.2016 - 12.2021
Senior Marker: Independant Examination Board
IEB
12.2013 - 12.2022
Senior English Teacher
Felixton College
03.2013 - 12.2015
PGCE - English FET & History FET
Rhodes University
04.2012 - 05.2012
Bachelor of Arts - English Lit, Political Studies & Inter. Relations
Rhodes University
01.2009 - 12.2011
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