I have been working at Aysgarth for 14 years and was initially inspired to become a teacher after enjoying working in primary schools during my gap year. Although primary trained, I have always loved the study of geography and specialised in geography and history teaching for my degree. I therefore jumped at the chance to become Head of Geography at Aysgarth when offered the role. I am lucky to teach a subject which is so endlessly dynamic and fascinating and I like to think I pass my enthusiasm for the subject onto the children I teach. I especially enjoy teaching about the environment which I do a lot in the lower year groups in the school. We conduct environmental surveys on the grounds, finding out which parts of the school has the best/worst environment and look closely at the impact of humans on the Earth in our 'natural resources' topic in Form 2. I use specific case studies from around the World to broaden the children's cultural awareness of issues being faced by people in other parts of the globe, but also try to show how solutions might be possible with concerted action. My interest in this area led me to deliver a lecture on rewilding to the older children where I discussed to what extent rewilding is the best way of encouraging nature recovery in the British Isles. I have been a close follower of projects conducted by Old Aysgarthians and current parents on rewilding attempts on their land and have been lucky enough to visit a couple of these projects in the last few years. 

Whilst I am passionate about teaching now, my ambition as a small child was always to become a train driver and, in truth, part of me would still love to work in the cab of a steam engine! I have also been a Form 2 tutor for many years and I really enjoy working with that age group. The children in Form 2 have been members of the prep school for a full year, so are comfortable with how Aysgarth works, but, as they are a year older, they are given greater freedoms but also more responsibilities. Guiding these children through this transition has its challenges but it is also very rewarding to watch them become quickly accustomed to this change. 

Alongside geography and position as Form 2 tutor, I have a number of different roles which keep me busy, including being in charge of the school house competition, organising the school's evening lecture programme, coaching sports and taking teams for matches, and running the school camps. 

My favourite teaching memories always come from running field trips and currently, three of the five year groups will go out of school to conduct a geographical investigation at some stage in the year. My happiest memories are of me standing up to my knees in a river, with a ranging pole in hand helping a group of children with their project... and especially when the sun is shining! 

My favourite joke is -

Knock, knock, who’s there?

Kenya
Kenya who?
Kenya think of anything that’s more fun than geography?