STUDENT/TEACHER INTERVIEW

Teacher To Student

Tell me about yourself in 30 seconds?

I am Peruvian/Irish/Singaporian/Chinese. I love my French bulldog, Rufus, and going to the beach, art, music and singing – I sing all the time!

What are your strengths?

I’m good at Spanish, art and playing the piano – I’m now Grade 4. I am creative and make jewellery and small sculptures. My family says I’m good at talking to people and putting them at their ease.

What are your weaknesses?

I’m resistant to trying new things, but I know this and I’m trying to be more open to them. I’m not good at tidying my room and I hate spiders!

Student To Teacher

What inspired you to be a teacher?

I was very lucky to grow up surrounded by people who had travelled to other countries and spoke other languages. I have always been fascinated by the way languages enable you to connect with others, share ideas and gain an insight into the way they think. From the age of 12, I knew I wanted to learn languages and eventually teach languages to young people. If you were not a teacher, what would you be?

People who know me will tell you that I like things to be organised and that I am a stickler for details. If I was not a teacher, I would probably be an international event organiserI would still want to be in a job where I get to use languages.

Who are your heroes?

It was very difficult for me to choose a hero as I have been inspired and influenced by so many people. My historical hero is Jane Austen as she was a broad-minded woman of her time, who was driven by her passion for literature. She wrote about intelligent, witty, strong spirited women, who fought against the conventions of society. She gave women a voice and inspired them to do what they love.

What is the best part of your job?

I love being in the classroom and teaching a subject I am passionate about, and seeing students taking a genuine interest in the language they are learning, asking questions about how languages work or wanting to find out more about different countries or cultures. It is also great to see students progress, develop their confidence and reach a point where they feel they can communicate in the language.

Why did you choose to teach at TPS?

I enjoy working as part of a team and TPS has a very strong team and community ethos. It also offers a dynamic, fun and supportive working environment, which has enabled me to grow as a person and as a professional. However, the best part of teaching at TPS is getting to work with our lovely TPS students. They absolutely made the school for me!

Tell me about the teacher who inspired you the most?

Both of my Spanish and English teachers from secondary schools have inspired me. They talked about their experience travelling, living and working abroad. I always knew I wanted to travel and explore different countries, but it had never occurred to me that I could study, live abroad and use the languages I have learnt on a daily basis.

What is the one exciting teaching method you use?

I think cultural activities are a great way to promote love of learning languages as they bring languages to life. Students love finding out about different aspects of culture, which match their own areas of interests. As part of my lessons, I always try to make sure we discuss and whenever possible even experience music, food, art or literature from different countries.

What are your thoughts on education today? In the past few years, it has been great to see a shift in culture and a greater emphasis placed on the holistic approach – we are looking beyond exam results, developing the whole person and helping them develop lifelong skills such as resilience, independence, curiosity and global citizenship.

Can you give me one example of Enjoy Respect and Achieve?

My friend Evelyn loves swimming (Enjoy) and puts in a lot of hard work to achieve her dream of becoming an Olympian, training 6 times a week. I respect her dedication.

What or who inspires you?

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the American songwriter, actor, singer, filmmaker, rapper, and playwright who wrote the songs in the musical “Hamilton” and also starred as Alexander Hamilton. He also wrote the songs in the films Moana, Encanto, and Vivo. The tunes are so catchy and make me want to sing along. What plans for the future do you have?

I don’t know yet what I want to do as a career, but I like music, art and animals, so I would like to include them, and I hope it would involve travelling to learn about new places and cultures.

What is your favourite saying from a song or book?

The Australian poet, Erin Hanson wrote: “There is freedom waiting for you On the breezes of the sky, And you ask ‘what if I fall’

Oh but my darling

What if you fly?”

Those last two lines remind me that if I don’t try, I won’t experience the wonderful.

What one thing would you change about school life?

I know it’s a big ask, but I would like a swimming pool, a massive climbing frame, pets in the classroom, a small jungle instead of a playing field and a zoo in the jungle!