Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
Goal
Passionate About
Systems Leadership in Literacy and Learning
Transformative approaches
Additional Employment
Associations and Professional Learning
Representation and Service to Others
Publications
Social Entrepreneurship
Country-Specific Achievements
Learning Sabbaticals
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Dr. Heidi Cavanagh

Omaruru, Namibia

Summary

Experienced international educational leader and consultant specializing in early childhood development and literacy. Emerging social entrepreneur, youth ally, and advocate known for driving innovation and delivering impactful results. Skilled with data analysis, product development, and project management. Recognized for collaborative teamwork and adaptability in culturally diverse environments, with a proven ability to navigate complex challenges and contribute to organizational success through research, analytical problem-solving, and a strong focus on leveraging team members' strengths. Dynamic individual with hands-on experience, strategic leadership, strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and a results-oriented mindset, committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing organizational goals through innovative development projects and impactful research contributions to designing solutions that value the needs and experience of the users.

Overview

2025
2025
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Strategic Research & Development Consultant

Side by Side Intervention Centre
  • Board Member
  • (Incoming) Awaiting Visa Approval

Director of Learning and Teaching

Canggu Community School
08.2023 - 07.2024
  • IBDP Coordinator
  • IGCSE Coordinator
  • Learning Data Coordinator

Director

American International School of Nouakchott
08.2021 - 12.2022

Secondary Principal

Westwood International School
07.2016 - 06.2020
  • IB MYP Coordinator

Director

American International School of Niamey
08.2011 - 07.2016

Primary Principal

International School of Havana
08.2006 - 07.2011
  • Early Childhood Program and Elementary

Senior Leadership Team Member and Teacher

Silicon Valley School
08.1999 - 07.2004
  • Previously: International School of the Peninsula

Director of Kindergarten

New Horizons American Academy
08.1998 - 07.1999
  • Preschool and Second Grade Teacher

Education

Doctorate of Education -

University of New England
08-2024

Masters of Education -

The College of New Jersey
07-2011

Principal’s Certificate -

Principal’s Training Center (PTC)
07-2011

Masters of Science for Teachers -

University of New Hampshire
07-1999

Bachelor of Education - Elementary

McGill University
06-1994

Skills

  • Resilient perspective
  • Responsive to evolving environments
  • Skilled communicator
  • Strategic solution implementer
  • Creative visual artist
  • Human-centered design thinker
  • Consistent professional dedication
  • Data-informed strategist
  • Strategic financial planning and management
  • Researching innovative technology trends
  • Cross-industry collaboration
  • Skilled in grant opportunity identification

Languages

English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Spanish: Working knowledge

Timeline

Director of Learning and Teaching

Canggu Community School
08.2023 - 07.2024

Director

American International School of Nouakchott
08.2021 - 12.2022

Secondary Principal

Westwood International School
07.2016 - 06.2020

Director

American International School of Niamey
08.2011 - 07.2016

Primary Principal

International School of Havana
08.2006 - 07.2011

Senior Leadership Team Member and Teacher

Silicon Valley School
08.1999 - 07.2004

Director of Kindergarten

New Horizons American Academy
08.1998 - 07.1999

Senior Strategic Research & Development Consultant

Side by Side Intervention Centre

Doctorate of Education -

University of New England

Masters of Education -

The College of New Jersey

Principal’s Certificate -

Principal’s Training Center (PTC)

Masters of Science for Teachers -

University of New Hampshire

Bachelor of Education - Elementary

McGill University

Goal

Dynamic International leader seeks all opportunities which will support the progressive and innovative approach to collaboratively creating better systems, structures and institutions for a more equitable world.

Passionate About

  • Building leadership capacity in diverse educational contexts with extensive experience in Sub Saharan Africa, Cuba and Indonesia


  • Improving literacy instruction through examining mindsets, creating holistic assessments, and implementing culturally relevant, research based instruction


  • Dismantling systemic barriers and supporting low-resource settings


  • Sustainable, equitable change internationally and in Sub-Saharan Africa's education

Systems Leadership in Literacy and Learning

Successfully led systems-driven reforms improving: literacy rates. learning outcomes, enrollment numbers, graduation rates (achieving 100% completion in multiple schools).

Transformative approaches

  • Building relationships with multi-sector stakeholders
  • Leveraging data strategically
  • Centering student (user) voice in decision-making

Additional Employment

  • TCNJ Adjunct Professor - Leadership Practicum The College of New Jersey; Spring 2015


  • Language Immersion Summer Camp Director International School of the Peninsula; July 2003, 2004


  • Elementary Teacher: Kinder to Grade Three York Region Board of Ed. - ON, Canada: 1994 - 1998


  • Aquatics Professional: Pool Supervisor, Leadership Instructor - Swim Instructor - Lifeguard - Adapted Aquatic Instructor - CPR/First Aid Trainer Markham Recreation and Culture; 1987 - 1998

Associations and Professional Learning

  • Side by Side Disability and Inclusivity 3-Day Training, Omaruru, Namibia, September 2024


  • Child Protection and Safety Professional Development Canggu Community School (2023) Westwood International School (2017) Assoc. of International Schools in Africa/Council of International Schools (2013)


  • Academy for International School Heads Member 2011-2016; AISH New Heads 2011; AISH Summer Seminar 2012 - 2016, 2018


  • Association of International Schools in Africa Member since 2011 AISA Leadership Retreat in 2011, 2013 - 2018, 2022


  • Education Across Frontiers - Ochan and Bill Powell Differentiated Instruction and Assessment - 2009, 2010 - Havana, Cuba Cognitive Coaching - Part One - 2012 - Genoa, Italy


  • International Baccalaureate Organization - ATL in the DP (2016); Heads of School/MYP Coordinators: Implementing the MYP Programme (2016); Managing the Extended Essay (2018), IBDP Coordinator Training (2024)


  • Cornerstone Educational Consultants - Supporting MYP teachers to plan and deliver a conceptual program; Leadership Retreat (2017, 2018)

Representation and Service to Others

  • Sirimba Global Education Advisory Council, Windhoek, Namibia Educational Expert, Advisory Council Member, June 2025-present


  • Association of International Schools in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya Board Member July 2022-December 2022


  • Taking Hands Educational Centre, Omaruru, Namibia Learning and Innovation Development Support for Early Childhood Education and students with Learning Challenges and Disabilities (ongoing)

Publications

  • AISA Connections:

Week Without Walls: Open your eyes to the world around you


  • IS Magazine

Two Hurricanes in Cuba


  • Federation of Women Teachers Association Magazine

Using Literature to Inspire Critical and Creative Writing

Social Entrepreneurship

The Just Foundation Co-Founder

  • Providing micro-finance, training, and mentorship to Namibian youth.
  • The Just Foundation is dedicated to empowering young social entrepreneurs by turning their ideas into reality and transforming communities—one idea at a time.
  • Currently in the research & development stage.

Country-Specific Achievements

Namibia

  • Implemented multi-sensory phonics instruction in rural context to teach at risk-readers
  • Created and illustrated 240+ decodable text and additional culturally relevant reading resources with AI to rapidly expand reading resource availability and relevance in rural context
  • Introduced EdTech personalized online learning platforms in remote context
  • Active member of the Technical Working Group (WHO STARS approach) and for Namibia’s Rehabilitation 2030
  • Created grant applications and reports as well as crowds funding initiatives to support projects in underserved communities
  • Participated in Namibia’s Eradicating Learning Poverty initiative
  • Created Namibia’s first Multi-Sector Delegation for World Inclusion Congress 2025 in Kazakhstan


Mauritania: 

  • Redesigned pedagogy through hybrid learning model and increased literacy and numeracy results through non-traditional teaching models and structure
  • Co-created innovative learning spaces with students Increased attendance, reduced lateness, increased student satisfaction, and increased student honor roll awards significantly


Botswana: 

  • Built middle leadership capacity to support change through capacity building and collaboration
  • Through improving data analysis in faculty, closed learning gaps and achieved highest graduation rates in school history


Niger: 

  • Improved school’s financial stability from a deficit operational budget and no reserves to 1.7 million USD in reserves for a school of fewer than 100 students in less than 5 years
  • Secured an additional financial commitment from the US Embassy, Niger of 2.6 million USD to support the long-term facility plan and construction project


Indonesia: 

  • Created collaborative structures between class teachers and support staff to support 100% diploma pass rate
  • Using AI and student surveys, provide feedback for teachers that was used to improve instruction and appreciated by teacher


Cuba: 

  • Implemented collaborative teaching teams Improved literacy rates from 40% to 80% in two years
  • Developed effective ECD-Grade 3 literacy and numeracy common assessments to drive learning


North America: 

  • Educated parents (and teachers) on the benefits of a bilingual education
  • Developed ECD materials and assessment tools to support improved literacy instruction

Learning Sabbaticals

  • Doctoral Candidate 2020-21, 2023


  • Traveled overland via local transport through Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Southern India 2004-2006
Dr. Heidi Cavanagh