Teacher
Let the learning be lively.
I want my teaching to be overpoweringly interesting.
I pride myself on finding ways to teach which include all children, encourage them to feel relaxed, and to develop their love of learning.
It’s a simple but powerful ethos I hold onto - learning can and should be a lively, enjoyable and laughter-filled thing.
The Iliad Project is my flagship project. It is a week-long bonanza of rich, immersive learning for children aged 9 to 11. Greek Mythology is introduced, before we roar into the lively details of the Trojan War. The project is fully inclusive, and I combine social and academic pedagogies. As well as deepening their knowledge of mythology, history and poetry, children develop their oracy, self-confidence and self-reflection.
I run workshops in primary schools, focused on poetry, mythology and creative writing. I work outdoors where possible, using whatever spaces schools can offer. These sessions can be one-off visits, or can be more sustained, over a number of weeks, or returning every year.
For international schools, I have a whole-day visit structure in which I run multiple workshops across the primary age range, from Early Years to the end of Primary. This photo is from a visit to the International School of Belgium, in February 2025.
I love to spread my passion for nonsense. My nonsense poetry workshops are great with students aged 6 to 9. We explore the meaning of nonsense, enact Lewis Carroll's 'The Jabberwocky', and can begin creating our own poetry.
I work with schools internationally. Each year, I work with the four Shiv Nadar Schools, teaching children aged 5-15 and facilitating staff development.
Residential writing retreats for children?!? Can it be done? Why yes! I have been running Poetry Retreats for children in Year 5 since 2016, working with schools in East London. These four day retreats, usually led in partnership with my friend Adisa the Verbalizer, give us an opportunity for truly memorable learning, out exploring beautiful natural spaces. This works best as a visit when a number of schools collaborate, each sending a number of children and a member of staff. That way, we all get to meet new people and go to new places. Children publish their poetry at the end into a high-quality anthology.
In April 2024, I led a Mythology and Poetry Retreat in Upstate New York, working in partnership with Ricardo Sierra, the Forest Educator. I enjoyed it far more than my face suggests on this photo!!! We spent four days with 5 young myth obsessives, exploring the beautiful wilderness of Cherry Valley whilst bringing myths to life with storytelling, poetry, drama, games and wilderness skill sessions.
From 2025, I am excited to be leading Greek Mythology Educational Holidays on the breathtaking island of Crete. In this project, Professor Maria Hnaraki and I will be collaborating to bring the mythical world to life, taking children to ancient sites. Maria is a Crete-born professor of anthropology, folklore and ethnomusicology, affiliated to Drexel University, in the US. Whilst the parents relax, we will bring Olympus back! This project will be managed by the organisation Kids Love Greece. Get in touch for more info.
So whether I am educating in the UK, the US, Greece, India or anywhere else in this fascinating world of ours, I am always consistent in bringing humour, enthusiasm, connection and heart to my teaching.