A little about me - Professional ContextI am currently working as PYP Curriculum Coordinator at KIS International School in Bangkok, Thailand (www.kis.ac.th).
Previous to joining KIS, I was the PYP Curriculum Coordinator at the International School of Ho Chi Minh City, where we as a school worked with our beliefs that education is long-over due for a change and thus, as collaborative teams worked over 4 years together to turn words and wishes into reality. We pushed boundaries and challenged norms and are very proud of what we continue to achieve and implement for our learners and their learning. Previous to ISHCMC, I have worked in the Asia-Pacific region, consulting for schools to support them in their strategic and pedagogical journeys, working in partnership with schools and leadership teams to share and reflect on effective classroom practice and school leadership. I also spent a year working with as Deputy Head of School, Teaching, Learning and Innovation at RAK Academy PYP. Before our move to the UAE, I was working with the Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) from 2010 as Deputy Principal and PYP Curriculum Coordinator (PYPC) (WISS). WISS is an IB World School, offering three IB programmes. |
|
I believe learning is maximized when there are strong organisational values and structures in place that include clear established expectations, policies, procedures, as well as communication systems that articulate the avenues of support available to address the academic and pastoral care of our learners.
In my current role, I work alongside parents, students, teachers, and our student success teams to ensure that the best support is provided for our learners should they need language, behavioural, pastoral or learning support.
As a learner myself, I am an advocate in lifelong learning and have extended this support to our educational staff establishing access to Life Coaching programmes as well as developing Professional Learning Communities and a Teachers Teaching Teachers weekly programme so that we can, as a learning organisation to continue to build capacity in our people and provide opportunities for their professional growth.
In my role as an instructional leader, I oversee curriculum design and development for the PYP in the classrooms. I work alongside the teaching teams to guide, support and coach them as they plan for their learners. I believe leaders should be visible and should be an integral figure in the operation of any school, as well as in developing all teaching and learning.
As Deputy Principal in charge of Teaching and Learning, my responsibilities include ensuring that there are academically rigorous and developmentally appropriate learning experiences in place that align with the school’s mission and vision statement as well as the IB philosophy.
In my current role, I work alongside parents, students, teachers, and our student success teams to ensure that the best support is provided for our learners should they need language, behavioural, pastoral or learning support.
As a learner myself, I am an advocate in lifelong learning and have extended this support to our educational staff establishing access to Life Coaching programmes as well as developing Professional Learning Communities and a Teachers Teaching Teachers weekly programme so that we can, as a learning organisation to continue to build capacity in our people and provide opportunities for their professional growth.
In my role as an instructional leader, I oversee curriculum design and development for the PYP in the classrooms. I work alongside the teaching teams to guide, support and coach them as they plan for their learners. I believe leaders should be visible and should be an integral figure in the operation of any school, as well as in developing all teaching and learning.
As Deputy Principal in charge of Teaching and Learning, my responsibilities include ensuring that there are academically rigorous and developmentally appropriate learning experiences in place that align with the school’s mission and vision statement as well as the IB philosophy.
My family
|
We are a third culture family. I am 6th generation New Zealander, born in NZ, raised in Hong Kong made China my family home for 6 years have lived in the UAE, NZ and Vietnam before moving to Thailand.
My husband is from Scottish and English descent, was born in Kenya, immigrated to New Zealand when he was 8, has lived in Hong Kong for 20 years, lived in China for 6 years, Vietnam and now in Thailand. Alistair is a certified Learn to Swim coach and has worked in China, Vietnam and Thailand as a swimming instructor and coach. Both our sons were born in Hong Kong, both carry New Zealand and Hong Kong passports, and are true international IB students. Our eldest is a blonde blue eyed boy and our youngest is Hong Kong Chinese. Between us there are 4 pairs of different coloured eyes, 4 heads of different coloured hair (those of us who still have hair!) and have as many similarities in likes, dislikes, interests, successes and challenges as we have differences. One thing we do have in common is our love for food, traveling and a great movie - although those too may vary with perspective! |
|
