Staff profile

Paula Needham


she/her

Associate Lecturer in Teacher Training

Paula Needham sat at her desk with her computer

Subject

Teacher Training

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Education

Email

p.needham@derby.ac.uk

About

I have a career spanning 25 years in education, teaching initially in secondary schools, but the majority of my teaching has been in the primary sector. I particularly enjoy Key Stage Two. My experience ranges across a variety of contrasting schools and covers various management responsibilities.

As I am an associate lecturer, I am fortunate enough to be involved across several programmes within the Initial Teacher Training and Education (ITT/E) suite of courses and deliver teaching both in-person and online. I am also a University Liaison Partner (ULP) and support students on their teacher trainee placements.

Teaching responsibilities

I teach across a range of programmes, including the School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT), and I support on the teacher apprenticeship trainee scheme. I also facilitate modules online both for the iPGCE and the MEd in Measuring and Evaluating Learning.

Professional interests

I am interested in all aspects of pedagogical research that have the aim of enhancing the provision of education and supporting student teachers on their journey to becoming effective and inspirational practitioners.

Qualifications

International experience

I started my career working as a soil scientist and spent several years working in this role across various states in Australia. This was followed by working as part of a multi-national team of soil scientists to map the whole country of Kuwait. I have used this interest and background in science to develop and enhance various aspects of curriculum design and teaching in the schools I have worked in.