Tom: Yes, I have taught in multiple international schools now and I have previously been the Head of subject for Geography and Head of the Humanities faculty in previous schools. Before working in international schools I taught in several settings each of which brings a wealth of educational experience, such as my work as a humanities teacher of deaf children. 

Tom: Wellington College Tianjin was the perfect choice when trying to satisfy the holistic needs of myself and my family. I knew that here I could grow professionally and that I could expect a welcoming environment for me and my family. I did my background research on the school and I was very happy with what I saw and the impression I got. I previously travelled around China for two months and I really loved the culture and the landscapes and it inspired me back then. So when I thought about coming to live in China it brought back many happy memories of travel here. 

Tom: I think one early experience that helped make me passionate about teaching was trying it out as a volunteer teacher in a multicultural school in South Africa as part of a gap year before going to university and seeing that I could help create a passion for learning with other pupils. 

Tom: In my last school, I am proud of the team cohesion I helped to generate during times of online learning in the COVID-19 pandemic context. I helped pupils to learn the Humanities subjects to a high level despite ongoing extreme political difficulties in the country where my school was based and this provided an emotional lifeline to the pupils under my care at a time of desperate need. 

Tom: As uninterrupted face-to-face teaching and learning continues, I think it’s important to try to achieve the school’s aims of increasing the risk-taking in learning, including more use of flipped and active learning. I really want the pupils to improve their oracy skills too – speaking to learn.  

Tom: I would advise them to read material above and beyond what they learn in class and to watch geographical news stories and documentaries to keep their knowledge up to date. I would also advise them to try to stir their passion for both physical and human geography, many people lean more towards one than the other but balance is needed.

Tom: I love going out on my mountain bike and practising martial arts, Choi Kwang Do especially. I’m a keen reader and I also like to research and write geographical articles. I also like to listen to history, politics and psychology audiobooks and podcasts. I like to meditate and practise mindfulness whenever possible too. First and foremost is spending time with my family.