Teachers in Profile | Meet our Educators

My first impression of the Nest has been a lasting one. I initially joined the Nest online due to quarantine. I was included in planning and professional development meetings. The first thing that struck me was that the children, the children's needs, interests, and progress were at the heart of every discussion. I was able to see the learning environment through pictures and videos. I began to join the children for online English sessions once a day. This enabled me to start to build a rapport with the children. I was able to gain a sense of their unique gifts and personalities. Often my co-teacher would change the time of the session to meet the needs of the children as they transitioned into Reception class. Again, another example of how children's needs were a priority. Finally, I was able to join the Nest in person. My first day was during the 10th Anniversary Celebrations. There was much to celebrate as there was a strong sense of community amongst the staff and children.

China is different. I enjoy exploring differences and similarities in cultures. I feel strongly that countries with different cultures bring richness to life. I believe, if I were to teach only in the U.K., I would have a very myopic perception of the world, education systems and learning. Teaching and learning in an international setting enable staff and students to benefit from best practice on a global level. It also provides children with access to global opportunities. Wellington is well renowned for academic excellence in the U.K. For this level of excellence to be extended into an international setting here in China is remarkable. Working in an environment with other passionate, well-qualified and experienced educators is truly a blessing. The bilingual programme at Wellington ensures every child can reach their full potential and make rapid progress as a well-rounded learner. The student-centred focus enables educators to plan purposely for the children’s specific and individual needs in both languages. It is for these reasons that I am delighted to be part of Wellington here in China.

Interestingly enough, I was teaching a unit on Chinese New Year celebrations. A member of Her Majesty’s Inspection team observed during a PE (physical education) lesson. At this time, I had a class with two students with additional needs. When returning to the classroom, the inspector praised how I had adapted the lesson to support these learners. Also, I extended the learning from the classroom and incorporated many other curriculum areas into a class focused on ‘The Dragon Dance’. For me, it wasn’t the prestige of my lesson being mentioned in the report but the fact the inspector was able to see the lengths I go to ensure these students have equal access to the learning experience. I take pride in ensuring all my students are happy and equipped with what they need to succeed within my learning environment. Another achievement I was proud of was my contribution to the 2012 Olympics. Together with my students across the school, I successfully gained funds for an Olympic bid. I put together a proposal using the students' ideas on how they demonstrated the Olympic values. The children were able to focus on providing a good healthy future for the world as a community. To see how passionate the students were in delivering this message to their wider community was a privilege. Parents felt moved to come in and share stories of what their children said at home. That is when I knew true and meaningful education was taking place.

My love of learning. My formative years were full of fun-filled learning experiences, with some teachers I will never forget. Those that loved their job made every book, art technique or science experiment come to life. I had a suspicion that I wanted to create experiences like those for other children. I took a job for a year as a teaching assistant. Sure enough, I knew it was my calling; I attended university and completed my teacher training. No two days are the same in the classroom. I relish the opportunities to be creative and bridge learning for my students. When you get those ‘light-bulb’ moments, it is truly magical.

My main goals in my first year are to establish myself in the Wellington community by making close bonds with the students and staff. I would like to contribute to the development of the Nest by sharing academic practice and building upon the learning environment. I believe that the learning environment is critical, particularly for language acquisition in an early years setting.

I enjoy travelling, walking, writing, scuba diving, Latin dancing, and socializing in my spare time. I can often be found lost in a museum or art exhibition. I am a strong advocate for life-long learning. Museums often showcase highlights of some part of the culture and society in which it is found. This experience often evokes a sense of awe and wonder about an aspect I then enjoy researching further. I am working on a series of children’s books from an international perspective which I hope to self-publish soon. I am a big foodie! I have already begun to enjoy authentic traditional cuisine.

Ask your child about their learning. Inevitably, they will initially say they cannot remember. Communicate with their teachers. Having the time to reflect on concepts and knowledge gained allows them to consolidate. It makes children feel their learning is valued when both home and school celebrate.