Facilitators

Joshua Quinn

  • Social-Emotional Wellbeing Counselor,
  • North American International School

Joshua is a U.S. citizen living in Dubai with more than 10 years of experience in education and 14 years in mental and behavioral health, primarily supporting children and adolescents. He founded the STARS and BARS Institute, a program that helps teenage boys/girls develop behavioral, intellectual, and personal growth skills through behavioral, positive, and military psychology. The program trains Grade 11/12 students to mentor Middle School students who have academic, behavior, and social-emotional needs. Joshua has taught multiple subjects in the USA/UAE and served as a Social and Emotional Wellbeing Counselor. His work includes counseling, learning support, cognitive assessments, and behavioral therapy for students, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A former U.S. Army member, he has worked in military mental health, PTSD support, refugee assistance, and international research. l. He has experience in teaching, virtual learning, coaching, counseling, and assisting mental health research in Cuba, Haiti, China, and Nepal.

Joshua Quinn

Session Details

Educators Strand

  • Workshop: Understanding The Assignment: How to "COOK" with Gen-Z
  • Stream: Inclusive Classrooms and Student Success
  • Date & Time: 26 SEPT

Synopsis- Understanding the Assignment is a student-led professional learning workshop that empowers educators to understand and respond to the real experiences of Gen Z learners. Facilitated by STARS/BARS Institute, the session explores student engagement, belonging, wellbeing, and authentic student voice. Participants examine how traditional school practices can unintentionally disconnect students and learn practical, student-informed strategies to create more engaging, emotionally safe, culturally responsive, and relevant learning environments. The workshop emphasizes partnering with students as co-designers of educational experiences and challenges educators to implement meaningful changes that strengthen school culture and student success.