Born: Scunthorpe, England
Trained: B. Ed. (Hons) Bradford College 1984-88, M. A. Development Studies, University of Leeds 1991-92
Specialist in Maths, also taught Development Studies and Science
Teacher at Pakati: 1989-90, Acting Head 1991
Teaching experience: Teacher of Maths and Development Studies, Mater Spei College, Francistown, Botswana 1995-97; Maths & Science teacher, Royd Mount Middle School, Bradford 1998-99; Maths Teacher (supply) Marshfields Primary School, Bradford 2005
Other experience: North of England Regional Representative, VSO 2000-2004; Civil Servant, Bradford 2005-present
Life at Pakati: for me it was a completely new environment, and I settled in well. I read more than ever, walked more than ever, no TV, usually radio. I enjoyed the challenges of life & work in a rural area, & made friends easily, without a doubt the most rewarding experience of my life. The students were the inspiration, coming from a very different background to my own privileged one, but they were always cheerful, helpful & generally hard working and wanting to improve their English by talking to me. The staff were friendly & supportive and helped me settle in by the warm welcome I recieved. I often wonder why I left…the hardest day was my last day there saying goodbye to the students…I could hardly speak.
If I wasn’t a teacher…I would have carried on doing different jobs & changing every 3 years or so…banking, accounts, shop worker, barman, etc.
Hobbies/interests: listening to all sorts of music including live shows, reading, current affairs, travelling, wildlife, meeting & getting on with people, social media & web-surfing, and following my home football team Scunthorpe United (the Iron)
Something nobody knows about me: when I was younger, I learned to play both piano and guitar (but I don’t play any more sadly)
