Ms Paula Shaw
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Job title: Associate Online Lecturer
Email: P.shaw@derby.ac.uk
Phone No: N/A
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Experience in Industry
All my adult working life has been spent delivering education and training to adults of varying ages. I began my career in Beauty Therapy over 25 years ago.
At the age of 19, I went straight into teaching in a private college and I encountered many issues of low esteem in this industry, which helped me develop respect for individuals, their beliefs and foster opportunities for personal growth.
I started my own beauty therapy business with the help of a Princes Trust grant, aged 22. I shared my start up experience with other young entrepreneurs.
In the early 90's I worked for a college in Buxton, training beauty therapists. 6 years later I was head of department for Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy organising both training and commercial salons, scheduling, budgeting and networking.
My team and I were charged with the task of writing the first degrees for hairdressers and beauty therapists in small business development, as well as lecturing on tourism, hospitality and leisure services degree courses. Being situated in Buxton - a well known spa town, it was apt to target the growing international spa market as well.
Working for the University of Derby I have represented them at several International Spa Conferences and visited Korea and Hong Kong to promote our courses internationally.
Current Activities / Links with Industry
Currently, in relation to the University of Derby, I am in the process of developing new modules and tutoring others. On a personal business level, I still provide business planning advice to new entrepreneurs who want to open their own business in France.
Faculty: Buxton
School: School of Culture and Lifestyle
Subject Area: Business and Management
My role at the University of Derby is to develop, review and deliver a range of online degree modules. The modules fall mainly into the hairdressing, spa and beauty therapy department but I also work across subject areas on a range of business modules.
International Experience
Between 2004 and 2010 I lived in France, working part time for the University of Derby, supporitn e-learning course development and tutoring. Additionally, I took French teenagers and adults for English on a 1 to 1, group and residential basis and supported English speakers with a range of options for example, French for complete beginner or business skills for those entrepreneurs wanting to navigate the minefield of french fiscal systems, especially as many had never been self employed before.
Since returning to the UK, I continue to develop new modules and tutor on-line. The cultural and social experience that I had in France serves to enrich my understanding of International e-learning communities, and this enhances my tutoring.
Additional Interests and Activities
I take an interest in business development and ways of developing online materials. Over the past few years I have developed my French language skills to a proficient level and I enjoy reading french literature. During the school holidays, I welcome French children into my home to teach them English and to learn something about British culture.
Undergraduate qualifications
- BA(Hons) Professional Studies: Education, Manchester University
Postgraduate qualifications
- MA Online and Distance Education (ongoing), Open University
