I am Head of the School of Education, Language and Psychology and Associate Professor. Leading the School means I work with several complimentary departments: Psychology, Languages and Linguistics; CYPE; Initial Teacher Education and Counselling, all of which have strong links to partnership and social justice.
I have a particular interest in Initial Teacher Education. I work alongside Associate Heads, Programme Leads, lecturers, academics and school partners to ensure our student teachers are professional, reflective practitioners who are 'classroom ready.' I enjoy teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students as part of the English and Professional subject teams and also work on a range of modules including Philosophy for Children, Maths, Art and Drama.
I have completed a MA, Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice and am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. My research interests include Philosophy for Children, assessment and feedback and my PhD thesis was titled: 'Navigating the Pedagogical, Relational and Moral Economies of Assessment: An Exploration of the development of Student Teachers' Understanding of Feedback.'
Before joining York St John University, I was Deputy Headteacher at a local primary school. My teaching experience included Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 and I had additional responsibilities for assessment and English, as well as mentoring student teachers and Newly Qualified Teachers. I successfully completed my Masters during this time (focused on different approaches to the teaching of English) and also achieved the NPQH (National Professional Qualification in Headship). More recently I returned to the classroom to teach Year Five taking a period of Academic Leave to refresh my practice and conduct two research projects.
I teach on both the undergraduate and postgraduate Initial Teacher Education programme programmes largely within Professional Studies, Art, English and Philosophy for Children. I am module director for the undergraduate year 3 Professional Studies module ‘The Emerging Professional.’ I am also a Lead Mentor and an Academic Tutor.
My curriculum interests have fed into my research work. Recent projects have included:
- The feedback used on Strictly Come Dancing
- Dialogic practice
- Conceptions of dialogue in Philosophy for Children
- Returning to professional practice
My research interest in assessment and feedback informed my PhD study which was titled: 'Navigating the Pedagogical, Relational and Moral Economies of Assessment: An Exploration of the development of Student Teachers' Understanding of Feedback.'
Recent publications
I have the following additional awards /qualifications:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice
- Level 1 SAPERE Philosophy for Children
- Level 2a SAPERE Philosophy for Children
- Level 2b SAPERE Philosophy for Children
- Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
- Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
- Mental Health First Aider award
