Profile

Specialising in Computer Science, with its continuously evolving curriculum, a passion for learning is essential to remain successful. As an educator I am very much a believer that the teacher should facilitate and not lead learning. The focus should not be on knowledge acquisition, but original knowledge constructs. Holistically developing student skills, such as inquiry, critical analysis, as well as reflection and critiquing, develops more efficient, independent life long learners. Another passion is integrating technology throughout a curriculum. This not only creates new learning opportunities but solves problems, breaks down barriers, and enhances pedagogy. In recent years I have begun to support both struggling teachers, as well as those requiring formal qualifications, allowing me to further develop my coaching skills in a more universal context.

Currently the Leader of E-Learning, Teacher Support & Training and Head of Computer Science (and legacy ICT) at The English College in Prague (ECP), Czech Republic. ECP is an international school based off the English selective grammar school model. The school delivers a creative curriculum at level 1, IGCSEs at 2 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma at level 3. Prior to my arrival, ECP only delivered ICT to IGCSE (level 2), though with some pre-planning, I introduced and wrote an entire level 1, IGCSE in Computer Science (phasing out ICT) and the IB Diploma in Computer Science (no ITGS nor Computer Science prior) curricula. With the school just introducing Google Apps for Education, my whole school position as the Leader of E-Learning was also to integrate this with a future plan to introduce a 1:1 "bring your own device" model. On top of this I have also introduced a whole school Intranet, contributed a key role in introducing communication infrastructure, and play an integral part in future planning in both technology integration within systems and as one of the quartet of the Learning and Teaching team. For Teacher Support & Training I have taken colleagues through the UK's Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Newly Qualified Teacher year (NQT). Staff who need support in teahcing & learning and/or learning management also work with me.

Prior to this I had the position of Technology Integration Facilitator at Qatar Academy (QA), Doha. QA is an IB World School, delivering the PYP, MYP (The Next Chapter) and DP to students from all around the world. My responsibilities were to promote the holistic 21st Century Learning model throughout the school, coordinate cross curricular links and coach both staff and students to enhance learning through technology integration. Prior to this I spent four years at Dixons City Academy, Bradford, England. Dixons City Academy is a high achieving, outstanding inner city school, whereby my students achieved excellent progress, even with finishing courses early. As well as teaching, I held the role of Technology Innovations Coordinator within the Academy. This included staff training, running focus groups, developing and testing new technologies, co-ordinating with external organisations, presenting to parents and governors, working with senior management, assisting with the 1:1 tablet implementation and ensuring its future scope and ongoing success. In the past I was also the Drugs & Peer Education Coordinator, whereby I recruited up to 40 upper schools students who trained, planned and delivered drugs education lessons to lower school classes.

With a background in web programming, I have a great passion in how technology can be integrated across all curriculum, more specifically, its use in solving problems, breaking down barriers and collaboration. Using Windows and OSX (Apple) at home has helped me develop expertise, which is backed by my fortune to have taught on both platforms in multiple schools. Since being an NQT I have used several different Apple (iOS) and Android mobile devices to enhance my pedagogy, and with the Vice Principal of Learning and Teaching, coordinated the Dixons City Academy’s 1:1 Android tablet rollout. At Qatar Academy I also worked with a whole school infrastructure based on Google Apps for Educations and Chrome Apps. This has allowed me to become extremely well accustomed to all major operating systems and how the related devices/infrastructures can aid learning and teaching. At ECP I lead the whole school initiative in rolling out Google Apps for Education, as well as play a key role in the staggered rollout of a BYOD programme.