ABOUT ME

In addition to my role as Middle School Interdisciplinary Projects Coordinator, I teach middle school and high school (IBDP) Design and Technology at United World College South East Asia (UWCSEA) which is a creative and fast-paced school known for its forward-thinking approach to student-centered education.

Prior to teaching at UWCSEA, I had the privilege of being the Head of Design at International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC), leading an incredible team of people. I started my teaching career teaching Design and Photography in the UK.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

My teaching philosophy adjusts to the dynamic world we inhabit, aiming to nurture socially and culturally minded, independent learners prepared for the 21st century. With an adaptive and reflective approach, I infuse passion, purpose, and empathy into my teaching, fostering a holistic perspective.

Education, in my view, should prioritise learning, growth, and experience. When guiding students in design projects, I prompt them to explore the essence of design itself. Rather than merely creating a chair, they question what defines a chair. Similarly, in lighting design, the focus shifts from creating a light to designing with light, emphasising user experience and emotion.

My goal is to empower creative, empathetic individuals who view the world holistically. This begins with equipping students with practical and conceptual skills, promoting student-led inquiry and collaboration. Throughout this process, consideration for others' needs becomes a natural driving force in student work.

Like students, teachers should be flexible and adaptable. I take pride in my commitment to continuous learning, constantly developing new teaching strategies, and expanding my subject knowledge. Leading by example, I demonstrate the advantages of lifelong learning, hoping to inspire my students to embrace these benefits as well.

3E CONFERENCE PRESENTATION

ONE OF THE MANY REASONS I TEACH

In 2019, I gave a presentation in front of over 300 peers where I explained how the band Nirvana changed the way in which I teach. Unfortunately, the video and sound quality aren’t great. Supporting slides for this presentation can be viewed here. I also ran a design workshop over the same weekend.

PASSIONS

PHOTOGRAPHY

I have been interested in photography since I was a child and later studied photography at university where I focused my attention and intention around documentary photography, creating a number of interesting projects, one of which (Who Dares Wins) would be exhibited in several countries.

Today, photography is more of a hobby and I continue to focus on people and their stories.