The Middle Years Program in the Age of AI
In this episode of Kids Gone Global, host Sarah Reich speaks with Jackie Van der Steege Middle Years Programme Coordinator and Design Teacher at the International School of Hamburg (ISH), to discuss the unique challenges faced by today's middle schoolers. As students navigate a world dominated by smartphones, social media, and artificial intelligence, the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) offers a supportive and adaptive educational framework. Jackie shares her personal journey into international education, her passion for middle school learners, and how design and the MYP curriculum prepare students for real-world challenges.
They delve into the impacts of technology on young minds, the importance of critical and creative thinking, and the role of AI in modern education. This conversation also highlights how the MYP fosters lifelong learning, ethical use of AI, and the development of resilient and compassionate global citizens.
They delve into the impacts of technology on young minds, the importance of critical and creative thinking, and the role of AI in modern education. This conversation also highlights how the MYP fosters lifelong learning, ethical use of AI, and the development of resilient and compassionate global citizens.
Creators and Guests
Host
Sarah Reich
Sarah Reich, your host, serves as the Director of Community Relations at the International School of Hamburg. With a career in European government relations and public affairs, Sarah has worked within EU institutions, the consular corps, and leading international companies. Her academic and professional interests have always centred on governance and citizenship, making the mission of the International School of Hamburg—to prepare students as tomorrow’s global citizens—a perfect fit. In 2022, upon joining the International School of Hamburg, Sarah launched the Kids Gone Global podcast. This initiative aims to provide a platform for sharing the insights of experts and students in the dynamic field of international education. Through the podcast, she engages parents and the broader community in discussions about modern educational approaches and how international schools are addressing contemporary challenges in learning and growing up in a global environment.
Guest
Jackie van der Steege
Jackie van der Steege is an experienced international educator and leader with over twenty years of teaching experience in both the United Kingdom and the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. She is a curriculum developer who is deeply committed to promoting student agency and strengthening Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills. Jackie currently serves as the Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator at the International School of Hamburg, where she provides pedagogical leadership, supports curriculum alignment, and guides teachers in developing authentic, student-centered learning experiences. Since joining ISH in 2018, she has led the Design Department, enhanced IB-aligned curriculum development, supported STEAM initiatives, contributed to the school’s CIS/NEASC accreditation process, and worked closely with leadership and department heads to advance academic integrity, assessment practices, and professional growth. Previously, Jackie taught MYP Design at Bonn International School where she was recognized as an Apple Distinguished Educator and gained extensive teaching experience in Design and Technology, Food Technology, Textiles, and Visual Arts in the UK. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and Consumer Science, has studied Psychology and Sociology, completed teacher training in the UK, and continues to advocate for creative, innovative, and globally minded education.
