What is your current role and how long have you been teaching?
I started teaching in January 1984 in Sydney, Australia. Since then I have taught in London, Istanbul, Phnom Penh, Beijing, Kunshan. I currently serve in Shanghai where I teach IB DP Mathematics, and I am the IB Mentor at my school. I have been an Examiner, Internal Assessment Moderator, IB consultant, Workshop Leader and Evaluation Leader since 2006.
How did you decide to become a teacher?
For as long as I can remember I always wanted to be a teacher. I had some great role models at my school, my history, english and physics teachers especially. They always told me I should become a teacher, so I did. I modelled myself initially on my senior Mathematics teacher Bernie Norris!
Can you share a memorable teaching moment or success story with Pamoja?
I have been teaching with Pamoja for 7 years now, so I have had many success stories. Recently a student from my very first class wrote to ask me for a letter of recommendation so he could apply to do a PhD in mathematics at Oxford University.
What do you find most rewarding about being a Pamoja teacher?
I really enjoy it when a student interacts with me, and we work together week on week. Even though this is a virtual relationship, it does match the interactions you have with your face-to-face students.
What advice would you give for future Pamoja students?
The key to a successful Pamoja student is self-management. The student must develop a set of weekly routines for their Pamoja class, and stay on that plan. Many students have a tendency to leave their Pamoja lessons and assignments to the last minute and do not devote the necessary time required to be successful. Students must remember a Pamoja class deserves the same amount of time and attention as they give their face-to-face classes.
What do you think the future of education looks like?
When Pamoja first came along, I was in touch with one of the founding members. I thought then that the Pamoja model would be the way forward for teaching and learning. But the pandemic and the evolution of online teaching have led me to revise my opinion. Students need contact with other students to develop their social skills. So, the future will consist of hybrid online and face-to-face systems that balance academic studies with mental health and well-being.
