I joined Prem Tinsulanonda International School in 2007 as a part-time PYP ESOL teacher whilst I completed my Master’s Degree and renovated and extended a Thai teak house. In 2008 I was offered the job as MYP English A and Humanities teacher, a position that I still hold to this day. In 2010 I was given the additional exciting and challenging role of Director of Library and Information Services, also at Prem.

When I became the teacher librarian I requested that I continue with my MYP teaching role as I wanted to continue to be involved with the senior school, maintaining an active role in teaching, and additionally take on the librarian role. Since 2010 I have ensured that all students K-12 have information literacy instruction, both in context with different classes (e.g., science/art) and in isolation from other disciplines. I has been instrumental in introducing eBooks and digital publications to the library, setting up a Library Committee and I train students and staff to use Questia and Destiny. I was the professional mentor to a student teacher last year who successfully went on to pass his IPGCE and I am a trained technology and Moodle trainer.

In my multiple roles at the school I work with all members of the community, working with the ‘Hand to Paw’ charity supporting homeless dogs, ‘Roots and Shoots’ which brings together students worldwide to work on environmental, conservation and humanitarian issues and various other extra curricular activities. Boarding life is integral at Prem, but instead of homework/study club duties I prefer to take groups of boarding students camping for weekends, which they enjoy enormously.

I fully believe in the International Baccalaureate philosophy and recognise that a holistic education, whereby the ‘whole child’ is developed not just the academic side, gives students the opportunity to become knowledgable, understanding and active members of society in this ever changing world. This is the approach I use in planning units, lessons and other curriculum materials for all age levels and abilities. I always actively seeks to collaborate with colleagues across the PYP, MYP and DP programs, both as the librarian and as a PYP and MYP teacher.

Sustainability and environmental education is of great importance to me, I am a trained Compass Trainer * and is part of a three-person team that organises the school-wide Earth Day activities and education each year.