About me

I love the reciprocal nature of teaching and learning, and view this as central to my role as an educator. As, while I am passionate about sharing my own knowledge, experience and enthusiasm with others, I also deeply value learning from others, especially the children with whom I am working. Learning is something we do together as a community, not something which a teacher imparts to students.

As a parent of three children, I also understand what great responsibility a teacher has; each school day children may spend half of their waking hours in school. I have also witnessed the positive impact a teacher can have – especially in the early years of learning during primary school, where children are naturally soaking up experiences and knowledge from their environment, and where rich learning environments can inspire a deep appreciation of the world and everyone and everything in it.

I have several friends and family who became teachers before me, and from them I knew before entering the profession, that there are many challenges and limitations that teachers face every day. On the other hand, the teachers in my life also shared stories of encouragement: of novel and innovative ideas from students of all backgrounds; of the great satisfaction and reward of having students achieve beyond their own expectations; of seeing students grow a love of learning. I have been fortunate enough to now have experienced these joys firsthand, and look forward to many more years continuing to grow and learn in the profession, giving and enjoying.

Educational Philosophy

I firmly believe in education as a basic human right, and, as embodied in Article 29 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, I believe it should support the development of all children to their full potential; encourage respect for their own and others’ cultures; and help them to live peacefully, care for the environment, and respect all people (United Nations, 1989).

Maria Montessori’s vision of education exemplifies this relationship between education and child development, and between education and peace, and these fundamental tenets of Montessori’s philosophy inspired me to become a Montessori teacher and to work with other like-minded Montessori educators, towards implementing this vision of peace education.