Dr. Sevinj Iskandarova

Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair; April 9, 2016

I was a judge in the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair at Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia, USA, April 9, 2016.  

A Guest Speaker at Tutoring Language Learner Seminar; February 24, 2016

Working With English Language Learners: Gain Comfort, Confidence, and Capability

It was 8 week seminar that learners met once a week to work on building capability, comfort, and confidence in working with linguistic diversity. Basically, it was an introduction for peer educators in the Learning Centers to build awareness and skills around working with English language learners. The purpose of the seminar was  to increase tutoring skills to benefit culturally and linguistically diverse students; to gain confidence working with English language learners; to develop into a more effective tutor; to network with other Learning Centers & Library Peer Educators. I was a guest speaker in Week 7 seminar day, and was sharing my experience of learning and teaching English language as a 5th language.

More detail information: http://www.jmu.edu/ells/seminar.shtml

FIRST Lego League Championship Tournament; November, 2015

Competencies Leadership

I was a referee at FIRST LEGO League Harrisonburg Regional Tournament crew on November 7th, 2015."First Lego League is a great opportunity for kids to learn about science and technology".

FIRST Commonwealth Graduate Education Day; October, 2015

Representing James Madison University's Graduate Programs at the FIRST Commonwealth Graduate Education Day, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, October 30, 2015.

Graduate & Professional School Fair; September 23, 2015

Representing Adult Education/Human Resource Development Program at Graduate and Professional School Fair, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair; March 28, 2015

I was a judge in the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair at Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia, USA, March 28, 2015.

Cold Weather Coat Drive; December 2014

James Madison University Learning, Technology, and Leadership Education in December, 2014 donating new and gently used winter clothing items for people of all ages. I was a volunteer for packing and delivering the coates to the children.

FIRST LEGO League Championship Tournament; December, 2014

The VA-DC FIRST LEGO League Championship Tournament happened on December 6-7, 2014 at James Madison University, VA, USA. This was the largest FLL tournament in the world! I volunteered as a Core Values Judge and Scorekeeper for Division 1. 

11th Annual Teaching and Learning with Technology Conference; October 20, 2014

The conference held at James Madison University, VA, USA. I attended the sessions of the conference and had an opportunity to engage and discuss the ideas with conference presenters and participants.

Middle Eastern Connection; September 25, 2014

I was a volunteer of the workshop of Middle Eastern Connection at James Madison University, VA, USA. I helped the organizer to introduce the Middle Eastern culture, religion and lifestyle to the JMU community of students, staff and faculty.

Graduate & Professional School Fair; September 23, 2014

Representing the Adult Education/Human Resource Development Program at the Graduate and Professional School Fair, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia

"Summer School Program" in London, UK; August 2, 2014

I was the sole group leader of 10 Azerbaijani students in London, UK. The program was 2 weeks. It started on July 20, 2014 and ended on August 3, 2014. This opportunity enhanced my leadership, facilitation and organizational skills.

TEDx Baki; June 28, 2014

TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) is global conference which designed for schools, businesses, workers or simple person to enjoy. The first event of TEDxBakı happened in 2010. TedxBaki platform is a new tool for expression and sharing in Azerbaijan. I was a speaker in Tedx-Baki, June, 2014.   The little of my speech was about how to build leadership skills and manage the successful educational pass.

3rd Annual Alumni Education Forum; June 20, 2014

I was a participant at the 3rd Annual Alumni Education Forum. The main idea of the forum was to recognize Azerbaijan Alumni of study abroad programs and to support them in contributing to the development of education in Azerbaijan.

HR Networking Meeting; April 17,2014

HR Networking Breakfast hosts local Azerbaijani Human Resources professionals. The challenges and ideas are shared. This was a unique opportunity for me to meet with succeed managers.  

BEGIN EDU FAIR; February 28, 2014

One of the largest educational fairs in Azerbaijan. I was representing several study abroad programs of the Baku Education Information Center. The target of audience was top managers, middle managers, line managers, specialists and everyone serious about economic and business education.

Human Resources School Diploma Ceremony; September 4, 2013

Human Resources School was a three months extensive study program in Azerbaijan including Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan Republic, “Ireli” Public Union and ASAIF. I completed the program with distinction diploma.

Teaching Training in London; July, 2013

I was a participant in a two weeks Teaching Training Program in London.  I was participated within the graduate-level classroom through observation, workshops and seminars.

10th International ELT Conference; June 23, 2013

I was a participant at “Teaching Learning through Learning Teaching” at AzETA's 10th International ELT Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. The conference discussed innovative language teaching methodology; creativity in the classroom; mixed ability and differentiated teaching style.

CISELT Training For Teachers; June 15, 2013

I was a trainer at CIELT (Certificate in Secondary English Language Teaching) Training for Teachers Workshop.   The participants were professional language teachers in Baku, Azerbaijan. During the workshop they evaluated language challenges in the classroom.

British Council`s Premier Skills Workshop; February 24, 2013

I was a participant at the British Council`s Premier Skills Workshop.  The aim of the workshop was to acquaint participants with the Premier Skills English website from the British Council in Azerbaijan.  During the workshop, my colleagues and I demonstrated a lesson with sample lessons taken from Premier Skills English website.

CISELT Summer School by British Council; August 3, 2012

I was a participant at the Developing Teacher Trainer – CISELT (Certificate in Secondary English Language Teaching) Summer School by British Council in Azerbaijan.  The main goal of the school is to develop teachers` methodological skills, to improve communicative, reflective, and learning-centered teaching skills.

Culture Caravan Project in Turkey; June 11- 17, 2012

I was a participant in Culture Caravan Project, Turkey. The main idea of the project was to share culture among the participants from around the world. 

Teaching Learning through Learning Teaching , AzETA 9th International ELT Conference; June 22, 2012

I was a participant at AzETA's 9th International ELT (English Language Teaching) Conference. The conference was designed to enhanced teacher education, learner autonomy and real world learning: Bringing education to life. I had an opportunity to meet with experts from the famous Turkey and Hungary universities. They are Prof. Birsen Tutunis from Istanbul Kultur University, Turkey; Nazli Demirbas and Mustafa Gungor from Qazi University,Turkey; and Prof. Peter Medgyes from Hungary.

DAAD-Go EAST Summer Program, Azerbaijan; September 2011

DAAD GO EAST Program was held in Azerbaijan, 2011 with the coordination of Khazar University and the support of Germany’s Academic Exchange the program. The theme of the summer program was “Energy Security of the South Caucasus and Asia”. Twelve German students from eight different universities participated in the summer program. I was one of the coordinators as a staff of International Scholars and Students` Center, Khazar University, Baku, Azerbaijan.

Personal Development Training in the Netherlands; August, 2011

I was a participant at the Personal Development Training in the Netherlands.  In this training, I learned self-confident, has to manage and leave my scares and has to find solutions in different difficult situation.

Getting Involved Project in Georgia; May - November, 2011

I was a participant in a seven months “Getting Involved Project” organized by the Eurasia Partnership Foundation & Theodor Heuss Kolleg. During the project, we created various individual projects. With the advice from our mentor, Mrs. Marta Gawinek Dagargulia from Poland, we (three coordinators of the project) implemented our project, which was the preparation of differently-abled students for college entry and study. This project was titled "Volunteering for orphans". My team got grant for this project.

Education Working Group, AEGEE- Baku; October 25, 2009

One of my largest projects was a student educational conference, “Study Abroad,” in 2009, Baku, Azerbaijan. It was the first time, that such a large conference was managed by students, and nearly 350 people attended. The main goal of this conference to educate the young generation and disscuss the real opportunities. There were invited guests such as the American and Japanese ambassadors, representatives of the British Council, and Education USA and Central European University advisers. While meeting and interacting with these guests I was further introduced to the challenges and opportunities in the public sector.