About the author

This Interdisciplinary Unit Planning guide was written for you by Diane Smith.

As an active member of the IB (International Baccalaureate) Educator Network since 2010, Diane Smith is dedicated to helping teachers navigate the sometimes murky world of MYP (Middle Years Programme) implementation. She has contributed as a Building Quality Curriculum service developer, senior reviewer and reviewer; MYP workshop developer and leader; and site visit team member. She helped to create the MYP unit planning videos recently published on the Programme Resource Centre, and was part of the teams that reviewed the new MYP Interdisciplinary teaching and learning guide and developed a range of teacher support materials including newly added single-subject and interdisciplinary unit plan exemplars.

I remember how overwhelming the MYP seemed when I was a new coordinator. There is a lot to learn for everyone involved. In fact, it sometimes seems that the journey towards understanding and implementing the programme is an interdisciplinary inquiry experience in itself, continually expanding and deepening with new questions and realizations.

After 13 years as an MYP coordinator Diane is currently an independent MYP consultant, working through the IB Educator Network, and directly with IB Associations, MYP schools and practitioners. As one outlet for creative expression, she creates brief, animated videos that clarify aspects of MYP unit planning and assessment, available on her YouTube channel. A recent video focus on student support has resulted in videos that provide introductory overviews of ATL skills and service as action.

Outside of MYP work, Diane enjoys the ocean, sand and sky of relaxed island life in Lanikai, Hawaii.