Get ready to reminisce! In Return of the Chat: Spring Breaks and Career Moves, Alex and Drew are back after a break, and the chat is great! Laughter and lighthearted banter flow freely as Drew opens up about his whirlwind life. He's undergone a major career shift, one that blends his past experiences with exciting new ventures. This exciting transition, however, explains the reason for his podcast absence – it's been a busy time! As they catch up, their conversation delves into the ever-changing world of education. They chat about how AI is starting to play a role in the classroom, and how to find a good balance between new approaches and tried-and-true teaching methods. They swap hilarious stories of unexpected classroom moments and the challenges of juggling work and life – especially with the crazy Dubai weather lately! Remember those rainstorms that practically flooded the whole city? Get ready for Alex and Drew to open up about the ups and downs of being an educator, finding that work-life balance, and the occasional need to just unplug and recharge. ------------------------------------------------------------------ 🎬 Follow and connect with me on other social platforms: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergray84/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ticpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinternationalclassroom ------------------------------------------------------------------ 🎧 Listen: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-international-classroom/id1726686782 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2zGUdthbVSYIYNRySzXUSY?si=03227d0b06274977 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3de5d7af-a44a-45e6-98a2-612c8c535967/the-international-classroom Subscribe to The International Classroom podcast for more episodes that bring you to the heart of educational innovation, and join us as we continue to explore how technology and traditional teaching methods can coexist to shape a brighter future for all learners. Timestamps: 00:05 Introduction and Catching Up 02:59 Drew's New Role and Busy Schedule 06:18 Teaching and Learning Challenges 09:07 The Buzzword of Disruption 12:54 The Role of AI in Education 20:14 Teachers' Perception and Use of AI 23:04 Risk-Taking Lessons and Curriculum Design 26:07 Recruiting Teachers and Teaching Abroad 29:01 Adapting to a New Life in Dubai 29:52 Influx of Teachers in Dubai 30:22 Preparing for Teaching in Dubai 31:08 Induction Week for New Staff 32:00 Getting Involved in the Community 33:24 Dealing with Pressure and Adjustments 34:17 Challenges of Parenting 35:53 Dealing with Interruptions 36:09 Surviving the Storm 37:07 Upcoming Spring Break Trip to Cape Town 42:35 Choosing Adventure Over Relaxation 46:10 Planning for the Future 50:22 Financial Planning and Parenting 51:11 Preparing for the Future 52:10 Collaboration with Smart Technologies 52:38 Upcoming Events and Projects 53:26 Personal Lives and Hobbies 54:33 Well-being and Professional Development Day 55:32 Teaching and Collaboration 56:07 Upcoming Events and Projects 56:48 Personal Lives and Hobbies 57:08 Upcoming Events and Projects 58:03 AI and Time-saving Tools 58:30 Future Plans and Voiceover Work 59:07 Family and Personal Life 59:40 Work-Life Balance and Schedule 01:00:45 Spring Break and Future Plans 01:01:23 Preparing Students for Life 01:02:14 Personal Health and Well-being 01:03:33 Circadian Rhythm and Productivity 01:04:08 Genetics and Sleep Patterns 01:05:51 Ramadan and Spring Break 01:06:18 Closing Remarks