I found my passion for teaching about 20 years ago when, as a young professional, I started to become more aware of the importance of play when I noticed how my students were using the English language.

I graduated from the Faculty of Letters and Sciences and this was soon followed by a Master’s Degree course in Intercultural Communication and Linguistic Studies.

I consider myself one of those fortunate students who, before finishing their studies, had had the chance to work with students in real life contexts, experience which inspired the curiosity to find out more about the various methods and techniques I could use to help my students learn a lot while having fun in their lessons.

Attending various seminars, courses, conferences and workshops proved to be very useful but somehow I felt that I could do a lot more to become a better teacher. In 2008 I obtained my first international teaching qualification (TKT) and in 2010 I went to the UK where I did the CELTA course (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), which was a wonderful experience that helped me better understand what happens beyond the classroom.

I continued teaching students and children of various ages and levels and a couple of years later and I took the challenge of working as a teacher in the UK where I taught children from different international backgrounds. While working there, I was very proud when I obtained the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which is a teaching qualification recognised by the British authorities. I then went on another adventure – that of doing a CELT YL course in Barcelona where I became an internationally recognised young-learner teacher. This course made me more aware of the fact that children are naturally curious, that they enjoy being involved in games and that they will always be ready for new challenges.

I like to think about myself that I am curious and always willing to test new strategies that would make teaching and learning more relevant and enjoyable. This is the main reason why I like to stay in contact with fellow teachers from other countries through attending various courses, conferences or workshops: the Innovate ELT conferences in Barcelona (2016, 2017) the Cooperative Teaching and Learning Strategies course offered by CPD College International, the Active Learning and Assessment for Learning course offered by Cambridge International Examinations, a Common Ground Collaborative workshop in Module Writing through Inquiry, a Teaching Through Inquiry course, etc..

As an Avenorian I continued to develop my teaching skills and so I became familiar with the Jolly Phonics programme which I have had the opportunity to integrate in my lessons. Avenor College is now part of the Common Ground Collaborative and for me this means that I am now able to learn more about guided enquiry, assessment for learning, thinking routines and visible learning.

My mission as a English Curriculum leader is to support my colleagues integrate a cross-curricular approach to learning through the implementation and development of the Cambridge Curriculum. I also seek to encourage my students to become independent thinkers and to take responsibility for their own learning.