Greetings, I’m Bea. I’m a teacher living in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. You can hire me with a click on the button above.

I have lived all my life on Tyneside. I came back into adult education in 1980 when I started taking courses with the WEA (Workers' Educational Association). Within a year or two I had been recruited as a WEA volunteer, and shortly afterwards was Secretary of Whitley Bay WEA Branch, helping with the organisation and planning of courses for adults.

I first trained as a tutor in 1986, when I completed the C&G 730 Further Education Teachers Cert, and straight afterwards took the RSA Teachers' Cert in IT. By 1997 I had completed my Degree in FE with Sunderland University (with first-class honours).

Throughout this time I spent my career teaching ICT, Teacher Education, Philosophy, Politics, Counselling, History, and Gender Issues. I've worked almost continually

In 2000 I was one of the prize winners in the NIACE national Tutor Awards. I was also very involved in Open College Network accreditation. I was the author of the very first course accredited by Open College in the North East.

By 2009 I had joined the Institute for Learning (IfL), and stood for election as a member of the Institute's national Council. I was elected to Council that same year. When the elections for IfL President came along, I decided to have a try for the job. Much to my surprise, I was successful. I am the only person to be twice elected as Institute President. I also gained Fellowship of the IfL.

Personal Summary

Assets

Very wide experience in further, adult and higher education. Highly qualified, and continually updating qualifications. Very strong ICT skills. Good with people from very varied backgrounds. Passionate about diversity, equality and the liberative capacity of learning. Relaxed and informal in teaching style. Very adaptive and flexible in approach. Knowledgeable with regard to curriculum development and accreditation. A strong leader and organiser.

Interests

Teaching-and-learning. Reading (especially science fiction). Movies and the cinema. Technology (including vintage tech’, which I collect). Music and music making. The Internet. People and politics. The philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein.