– Teaching (school teacher)
– Presenting
– Public speaking
– Reading aloud
– Acting
– Running
– Swimming
– Hiking
– Cycling
– Fitness (personal trainer) interacting
I’m a German South African with a passion for learning, teaching, SPORT, fun experiences, and making good humans in my day job (secondary school English teacher and private tutor), and happy, healthy ones in my hobby job (gym instructor and PT).
I am passionate about supporting people and am currently exploring Mental Health and Pride as a development point in my teaching job – I am also Head of PSHE.
I am an excellent reader (one of my more disengaged Y11 students recently commented on this and said he got the poem!), fully bilingual and can also speak Afrikaans and French with reasonable fluency. My secret career ambition is to be the elevator voice that says, “Fifth floor.” or “Doors opening.” PLEASE.
I try to be KIND in everything I do and want to motivate people to be THEMSELVES (I run the Pride group at my school as an ally), as well as encourage healthy, respectful discussion about REAL things and how to turn this world into the amazing place it can be. If people learn to be a little less obsessed with their own little worlds, money, wealth, and power – and focus on extending kindness beyond themselves, where it is needed more – then the planet will look completely different.
I LOVE poetry, literature and artworks from the Romantic Period (although Jane Austen is still my ultimate favourite!)
I also like creative writing, and when my life feels less frantic, I like to do some on occasion.
I LOVE camping and the outdoors, having grown up in beautiful South Africa. I love climbing mountains and pushing myself to new physical challenges. I’ve run 5 marathons and am due to do 3 more next year.
I have two teenage boys of whom I am very proud. One has appeared in an Old Navy advert as well as in the opening scenes of The Dark Tower, and the younger one starred in Saints & Strangers which was filmed in Cape Town when we lived there. I am happily married to a very kind man and we have a mongrel rescue dog from Romania, who came to us blind in one eye and is the most awesome running partner. She is also the smartest dog I have ever had, mangled and scarred and a little bit crazy, and I ADORE her beyond comprehension.
Basically: I’ve always worked incredibly hard to be a good person. I’ve been a Head of Key Stage and Head of the Department. But I am learning, hopefully, sooner rather than later, that ambition can also be crippling if the pressure of expectations becomes a dark force. Since turning 40, I am following my passions with a focus on community, health and well-being, and, above everything, trying to help and support those who need it.
– BA – German, English, Education, Drama (PGCE and 1st-year honours pass)
– Personal Trainer
