Samantha

Born in Bermuda, I grew up in South East Asia attending international primary schools until, aged 11, I started as a boarder at St Catherine's School, Bramley. I thrived on their music and drama programs but also the breadth and challenge of the academic subjects, taking English, History, Maths and French at A level and achieving AABA. I went on to gain a First in English Literature at Warwick University, followed by an MA with Distinction in English Literature from King's College, London.

Shortly after graduating in 2009, I completed the Graduate Teacher Program at Hasmonean High School in North London before moving to Hong Kong in 2012 as an iGCSE and IBDP English Language and Literature teacher at West Island School (ESF). During that time, I also had positions of responsibility as Head of Year and Post-16 Director of Learning, responsible for the pastoral guidance and achievement of our Year 12 and 13 IBDP and BTEC students.

After 7 years in HK, I decided to explore a new continent and got a job as the Deputy Head of English at Newton College in Lima, Peru delivering the MYP and IBDP English A Language and Literature programs and supporting our students through 2 years of online learning during the pandemic. Within the department, I had particular responsibility for planning and coordinating the IBDP program and also worked as an instructional coach supporting the professional development of colleagues.

In 2023, I moved back to the UK to begin training as a mental health counsellor, specialising in work with young people and children, whilst tutoring part-time

Using interactive discussions, hands-on creative activities and inquiry-based learning, I tailor each session to individual interests and preferences. From adapting materials to suit diverse student needs to presenting challenges for personal growth, every lesson is designed to engage and move my students' learning forward. By breaking down tasks and offering alternative approaches, students are empowered to overcome obstacles and progress at their own pace.

I use carefully curated texts to support students' critical skills. Whether dissecting a poem, analyzing a graphic novel, or deconstructing advertising rhetoric, learning is always creative, and enjoyable. I love to work with poetry, 20th-century literature, works by women authors, advertising, film, television, and graphic novels, and always with the aim of igniting curiosity, cultivating critical thinking and instilling a lifelong passion for literature and language.

Feedback and assessment are fundamental components of the learning journey. I employ a blend of praise and acknowledgment of achievements, coupled with targeted suggestions for improvement and specific resources or strategies for enhancement. Assessments are diverse, encompassing oral and written tasks, short exercises, and mock/draft assessments to gauge understanding and progress effectively.

I communicate with positivity, patience, encouragement, and kindness, fostering a nurturing learning environment where students feel supported, valued, and empowered to express themselves freely. Additionally, I maintain an open line of communication and am readily available to address questions via email and suggest additional resources as needed.

In 2023, my husband and I relocated back to the UK; alongside my tutoring, I am renovating our new home and re-training as a mental health counsellor with the eventual goal of supporting young people in schools. I also love to travel, read, cook and scuba dive!