About

I graduated from Middlesex University with a BA(Hons) in Geography and pursued my career to teach in Primary schools through a PGCE. I taught in Primary and Secondary schools for 18 years and found a talent for supporting adults to learn, too, which sparked a move to a Further Education college in North East Wales.

I taught childcare and health and social care students for 13 years alongside developing the BA (Hons) Childhood Studies degree through Aberystwyth University. For the latter 6 years, I was a Programme Lead for BA (Hons) Childhood Studies, taught on modules for the BA(Hons) in Education (with ALN) and supported the PG Cert in Teaching 14+.

Before the transition from Primary education to FE education, I undertook an MA in Education through Bangor University and this is where my enthusiasm for researching to write and researching to gather data was firmly established. When an opportunity to start an EdD came along, I jumped at the chance to gain a doctorate and to learn more about research methodologies and myself as a researcher.

The EdD and teaching at HE level in an FE college has led me to teaching in a Higher Education institution, University of Derby, in Primary Initial Teacher Training and Education.

Teaching responsibilities

• Stage 1 Lead for BEd and MEd Primary Education with QTS programmes
• Module Lead for Stage 1 Professional Practice
• Module Lead for Stage 1 Theories of Childhood
• Admissions Lead - Policy-focused
• Stage 1 Lead Mentor supporting Mentors in school
• Humanities Subjects Specialist

Professional interests

• Forest School and outdoor learning pedagogies
• Influences on education, care and early childhood and pedagogical approaches (national and international)
• Trauma-informed practice

Research interests

• Research methodologies in the education sector
• Education Policy in Wales
• Curriculum Design and Implementation for Impact

Membership of professional bodies

• HEA Senior Fellow (SFHEA)

Qualifications

• Education Doctorate - pending
• PGCTHE
• MA in Education
• BA(Hons) Geography
• NPQ Leading Teacher Development
• Certificate in Counselling
• ILM L3 Award in Leadership and Management
• L3 Forest School Leader

Experience in industry

• Primary Teacher and Senior Leader - 18 years
• FE College Lecturer - 13 years (HE Lecturer for latter 6 years)
• HE Senior Lecturer - since 2022
• Home Care Assistant - to support understanding of Health and Social Care qualifications (PT) 5 years