Meet the Teacher (#TEACHERFEATURE) is a St Andrews Bangkok community series that will give you a chance to get to know our outstanding educators – their thoughts, ideas and experiences.
Ms Donna, our new Year 3 teacher joins us this 2023/2024 academic year. She has spent the past four years working in a British international school on the island of Phuket. During her time there, she had the privilege of teaching Year 2 and 3, as well as leading English across the whole school and working alongside SLT as a phase leader. She was First Class honours in Zoology Undergraduate, Outstanding with Merit in PGCE, and a Distinction in her Masters with Creativity, Literacies, Learning and Arts.
Your education and other work experience(s)
At university, I originally studied Zoology, and upon completing my degree, I spent a few years conducting research expeditions. It was an amazing experience, and I got to visit some incredible countries such as Madagascar and the Virgin Islands. In 2015, I decided to train as a teacher and share my knowledge and passions with others. I taught in the UK for a few years and also completed my Masters in Education which specialised in developing creativity in young writers.
Who do you admire and why?
After years of studying Zoology and completing conservation research projects, I have spent much of my life in awe of the great Sir David Attenborough. Watching his series and reading his autobiography (which I have read three times!) inspired my love for the natural world, and he continues to help shape the teacher that I am today. In 2015, I actually had the pleasure of meeting him, and he was just as humble, passionate, and knowledgeable as I had imagined!
What hobbies do you have and what do you love about them? And what are your other interests?
When I am not working, I love to run! For me, it is the perfect way to relax and unwind while watching the world go by. I also really enjoy taking part in races because of the community spirit and vibrant atmosphere. So far, I have completed eight half marathons and two full marathons, and I have used these events as a platform to raise money for various children's charities.
What do you feel most passionately about and why?
For me, relationships are the foundation of a good education and this is at the core of my teaching practice. In the classroom, I like to make lessons fun and engaging using drama and role play to really bring learning to life! Books also play a vital part in my practice, I love engrossing children in a story and capturing their imagination, opening them up to a world of possibilities!
Mr Sam, our new Year 1 teacher at the Primary School, holds an Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) in (BEd) Primary Education and has been teaching early years for many years before joining our school.
Ms Jasmine, our new Drama teacher at the High School joins us this 2023/2024 academic year. She taught Drama and Dance at UNIS Hanoi in Vietnam for two years and Drama at the International School of Penang (Uplands) in Malaysia for four years. She holds a Master's Degree in International Performance Research from the University of Warwick, another Master's Degree in Theatre Studies from the University of Amsterdam, and PGCEi from the University of Nottingham.
Mr Joe, our new PE teacher is joining us in the upcoming 2023/2024 academic year from Dulwich College Shanghai, Puxi. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Science with Upper Second Class Honours.
