International Google Success for Watergrove Trust
During the May half-term break, Watergrove Trust’s Strategic Director of IT, Dave Leonard, travelled to Stockholm, Sweden. Dave went to support the delivery of the Google for Education Certified Innovator Academy. The event also marked the 20th anniversary of the Certified Innovator program.
The Stockholm event was one of six in person Innovator Academies worldwide this year. It and recognises outstanding educators passionate about professional growth and technology. It also highlights harnessing artificial intelligence to solve real-world challenges.
Key Event Facts
- Total applicants: 33 successful global educators
- Coaching staff: 6 experienced international coaches
Dave coached a diverse team of six educators. They represented Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Brazil and England.
As part of the event team, Dave helped ensure the three-day academy ran smoothly and successfully. He also delivered a popular “Spark Session”. It focused on personal reflection and the importance of gratitude in both personal and professional development.
This is not Dave’s first involvement with the Google for Education Innovator community. He previously coached at the Virtual Innovator Academy in 2024. Before that, he was selected as a member of the prestigious London 2019 cohort of Google Certified Innovators.
At the Stockholm event, Dave’s coaching team adopted the name “The Dala Llamas”. The name was inspired by Sweden’s iconic Dala Horse, a traditional symbol of Swedish culture and craftsmanship.
The academy was attended by members of the Google for Education team from Australia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. The event was facilitated by education specialists from Canopy, a company that works closely with Google to deliver professional learning experiences for educators worldwide.
Reflecting on the experience, Dave highlighted the value of representing Watergrove Trust on an international stage, sharing best practice with innovative educators, and building new professional connections with colleagues from around the world.
As a Google Certified Innovator for seven years, Dave continues to champion the effective use of technology in education, helping schools and educators maximise opportunities for teaching, learning and collaboration. His involvement in events such as the Innovator Academy reinforces Watergrove Trust’s commitment to innovation, professional development and excellence in education.
