Barbara Za Franks

Ms. Barbara Zá Franks has been an educator for the past 13 years. She began her early career as a music teacher in The Bahamas and eventually founded Center Stage Performing Arts Studio which grew to become a significant influencer in local performing arts education in the country. In 2011, she relocated to Shanghai to further her career while pursuing her graduate studies. She served as a primary school English and Social Studies teacher at Shanghai Pinghe Bilingual School for 5 years.

During this time, she was also instrumental in fostering a culture of continuing education for teachers and took initial responsibility for facilitating professional development in-service trainings for both local and foreign staff. In 2016, Ms. Franks established her own education company, Shanghai D.R.E.A.M. which specializes in curriculum development and teacher training for schools and learning centers throughout China. She has worked with multiple institutions at various levels – from kindergarten to university – in both public and private sectors, to develop unique educational programs, provide ongoing professional development, and offer school improvement consulting services to school leaders as it relates to curriculum and instruction.