HEADTEACHER KAT HEALY
How long have you been teaching and what subjects have you taught?
I have been in education in the UK for over 16 years with a further 2 and a half years teaching English as a Foreign Language abroad in Nepal and South Korea.
I spent 7 years in KS1 and KS2 as Literacy Coordinator. I then moved to Secondary and spent 4 years teaching KS3 and KS4, including GCSE English. I was Literacy and Transition Coordinator during that time. Finally, I moved to Secondary SEN and have been a Deputy Headteacher for over 5 years leading Teaching and Learning; making decisions on curriculum, assessment, policy, CPD and overseeing the monitoring and tracking of progress.
This cross phase experience has given me a unique insight into the journey of a learner and, in particular, the kinds of barriers to learning which young people can encounter.
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OUR SECONDARY TEAM
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
To see young people discover their strengths and develop their interests, especially out of the classroom, is always a joy. To forge relationships in a pastoral setting is inspiring and often surprising, as they discover and demonstrate skills they didn’t realise they have.
What three words would you use to describe yourself as a teacher?
Patient, flexible, intuitive.
DEPUTY HEAD JEANNE REVEST
What was your journey to becoming a teacher?
I absolutely loved everything about school and always wanted to be a teacher - the way that my own teachers opened my eyes to the world, ideas and creativity was incredible and I wanted to do the same for others. After studying English Literature and Development Studies at university, I went straight into working in a boarding school and passing my teaching qualification as a Secondary English teacher (over 25 years ago now), and have been teaching on and off in the UK, Asia and Africa ever since. I have spent time doing other things, including working with young refugees and a period working as a diplomat, but I keep coming back to teaching as the most satisfying and enriching job in the world!
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
The thing I enjoy most about teaching is seeing the world in new ways through the eyes of my students, and then exploring with them. No two lessons are ever the same, and I love to learn from and with my students - hopefully while having some fun in the process! And while teachers don't often hear much from their students after they have left school and started on their journeys through life, hearing from or about a student and their achievements as an adult always make my heart swell with pride.
How would students describe your as a teacher?
I like to think that my students think of me as caring, lively and always positive about their progress and achievements - I believe the phrase "firm but fair" has also been used to describe me in the past, which I'm pretty happy with.
SECONDARY TEACHER DAWN COOK
What was your journey to becoming a teacher?
As a stay at home mother I feel as though I have been teaching for over 20 years, although in reality it has been nearly 10 years. I have been lucky enough to have a broad range of teaching experiences from preschool through university levels. Middle school, secondary and university science has been a focus of mine though even when I had rotations with the tiny learners I focused on science. Despite science being my hands down favorite, I have also taught English as a second language (ESL), literacy and maths.
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
The absolutely brilliant thing about teaching is having the privilege of watching the student grow academically. Seeing them come up with an idea and become independent thinkers is the very best part of teaching.
How would students describe you as a teacher?
Unique, enthusiastic, creative
SECONDARY TEACHER ELSA BUTLER-REES
What was your journey to becoming a teacher?
Despite pursuing a number of different career paths, teaching has, In many ways, been a constant. I began my teaching career first as a primary teaching assistant in Mathematics in an international school in Malawi then as a fulltime English language and reading teacher in a local school. I went on to complete my undergraduate degree in Business & Marketing in Ireland followed by a Higher Diploma in Psychoanalysis. During this time I worked in sales and business administration roles but always found myself teaching and mentoring others as part of these roles. After I completed a Masters in Social Research Methods I pursued a career in Market Research which led me to the technology industry where I worked as a Marketing Science Partner for a number of years with a core focus on training and education. After rediscovering my passion for teaching in industry, I went on to complete a postgraduate diploma in Teaching and Learning which has led me back, full circle to International School teaching here in Thailand where I plan to remain for many years!
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
Supporting students to learn and grow to achieve their full potential brings me a great deal of satisfaction. I believe learning can and should be fun, exciting and challenging. I love taking on the challenge to find fun and creative ways to engage learners and support them to develop their confidence in challenging subjects and to foster a growth mindset.
How would students describe you as a teacher?
Enthusiastic, supportive, curious
SECONDARY TEACHER BECKY SMITH
What was your journey to becoming a teacher?
I decided to become a teacher during my first degree in psychology. I did a project in a special needs school and really enjoyed supporting and working with the children. I then became a teaching assistant at a local school in Liverpool and decided to become a retrain to become a teacher. I have now been teaching for 11 years.
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
I am really passionate about fostering growth and development in children holistically. I love helping children to focus on and work on their passions and believe that children learn best when lessons are enjoyable, investigation based and meaningful.
How would students describe you as a teacher?
Calm, patient and warm
SECONDARY TEACHER ANNYA WYSS
What was your journey to becoming a teacher?
Initially trained as a fashion and textile print designer in London, I accidentally fell in love with teaching after unexpectedly being offered a position at a language school whilst travelling in Mexico. Little did I know then, that this experience would redirect my career path. Now fourteen years later I am still as passionate about teaching as I was when I first started.
I commenced by teaching English as a foreign language in various countries. In 2013 I returned to Switzerland where I officially retrained as a secondary school teacher and where I have been working in a Highschool in Zurich ever since. As a class teacher, I mainly taught English as a foreign language, arts & design, textiles and German. Besides, I coached and mentored trainee teachers for three years.
Teaching has broadened my sociological insight by learning from my learners’ experiences. Based on the fact that we humans learn best when our needs and interests are aligned I strive to create fun and educational experiences, hopefully enabling my students to discover their individual interests and abilities.
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
I love teaching because it exposes me to a world of different nations, cultures and the most incredible diversity of personalities. Getting to know my students inspires me, so the learning takes place on both sides, which is fascinating. Besides, it is impossible to get bored as every day is uniquely different. You walk into your classroom and never know what you will find.
How would students describe you as a teacher?
Creative, empathic and attentive
THAI TEACHER FON
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
The opportunity to share my knowledge with students and play a role in their learning journey. Witnessing their enthusiasm while having fun and absorbing the material I've taught them is truly rewarding.
Engaging with my students fills me with positive energy. Teaching is not a one-way street; I find myself learning alongside them. Each day, whether inside the classroom or out, I gain insights from their experiences.
The core essence of being a teacher, to me, lies in comprehending the students. I take great joy in contributing to their growth. Guiding them towards positive behavioral changes holds a special place in my heart.
THAI TEACHER MEW
How long have you been teaching?
I have been teaching in primary schools for 6 years. I have taught in schools on the mainland and in Koh Samui, where I specialised in teaching art and English.
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
I enjoy seeing my students have fun learning. My challenge is to find the best technique to help everyone understand and so improve their knowledge. I believe if we have fun teaching, the students will have fun learning.
What three words would you use to describe yourself as a teacher?
Creative, understanding, flexible
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