Born in Kitwe, Zambia, but brought up in Essex, I have been fortunate enough myself to have a thoroughly international education, having completed the International Baccaleareate Diploma at Ingatestone Anglo-European School in Essex. I think I always knew in my heart of hearts that I would be a teacher – I so enjoyed my first experience of it in an Essex comprehrensive way back in 1990, as an English Literature undergraduate on a work experience scheme – but it was not until twelve years later that I fully committed to the career.
In the meantime, I taught English in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, for two years, learning to love the language, literature, culture and people of this country as well as hugely enjoying my job, before returning to the UK and a post-graduate degree in International Relations. I then worked in the steel industry for five years, including stints in Germany, Finland and the Baltic Sates. For the fourteen years since completing British teacher training, I have worked at a prominent Essex Grammar School teaching English, a little RE, and developing a very successful Russian language GCSE and A Level programme.
My family and I are all very excited to be living in Bohemia again, and I am particularly keen to take full advantage of the musical life of Prague. At Park Lane I hope to be able to share with my students my love of learning and the excitement which I feel about making connections between ideas. It is not to much to say that our job as teachers is to help to make the world a better place, and that is the reason why I look forward each day to getting up and going to work.