About

I bring over 30 years of teaching and training experience across Further Education, not-for-profit organisations, and university settings. I am passionate about developing great teachers who are equipped to work in a diverse range of organisations and roles.

After leaving school at 16 and miraculously surviving an early career as an analytical chemist testing pharmaceuticals. I reconnected with education through day-release courses at two colleges. This newfound enthusiasm for learning led me to university, which in turn opened the door to roles in environmental conservation and charity management. Teaching and training have been integral parts of my work. After several years managing my own training and consultancy business, I ultimately made the leap into teaching in Higher Education.

I am currently the Course and Academic Placement Lead for the PGCE Further Education & Skills course. My current doctoral research focuses on exploring the lived experience of second career student teachers.

Interests include:

• Post 16 & adult learning
• Informal learning experiences, e.g., Communities of Practice and Open Space.
• Education for Sustainable Development.
• The development and use of technology in education.
• Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
• Education and training in not-for-profit organisations.

Teaching

Sheffield Institute of Education

College of Social Sciences and Arts

Subject Area

Teacher Education

• PGCE Further Education & Skills (FES)

• Reflecting on professional practice and development in FES
• Exploring and developing pedagogical practice in FES
• Professional Practice

Research

• Centre for Development and Research in Education
• Social and Economic Research Institute

My current doctoral research focuses on exploring the lived experience of second career student teachers.

Career change student teachers’ lived experience of preservice, post-16 Initial Teacher Education: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.