I am a teacher associate with the Centre for Teaching Excellence (CfTE), working one day per week to support enquiry-led professional learning. Outwith this, I am a Pupil Support Leader (Guidance) and a Support for Learning (SfL) teacher across two Edinburgh Council high schools. I also have previous experience as Curriculum Leader SfL, STEM Coordinator, and Biology/Science teacher.

My CfTE hub is “Pedagogy to support attainment in diverse classrooms”. Having supported equalities transformation in my school, I am passionate about grassroots change which empowers practitioners, children, young people and their communities; meeting people where they are and together dismantling systemic barriers to active participation, attainment and inclusion. Sometimes these barriers are professional beliefs and narratives, and at the CfTE I now get headspace to interrogate these. I’m excited that the CfTE will allow practitioners the energising freedom to activate, extend, research and reflect with an ‘enquiry mindset’. Importantly, the Centre will also facilitate communities of practice, and I’m eager to tap into the dynamic and diverse interests and experience of the other teaching associates.

Keeping up to date with the Curriculum Improvement Cycle is providing plenty of stimulation. I’m working in a core group with Education Scotland and practitioner colleagues across Scotland on “Ethos and Life of the Setting as a Community”.

My impulse gift to myself in summer 2025 was to enrol in a part-time MA in Children and Young People’s Participation and Leadership. The course develops an understanding of UNCRC, and I’ve already used research and reflexive questioning to improve aspects of my GIRFEC responsibilities.

I’m neurodivergent and juggling family life with four teenagers. I bring a lot of my lived experience to my research and professional practice interests.

I’m approachable, so let’s connect

Equality

Anit-racist pedagogies

Equity and poverty related attainment gap

ASN and Universal Design for Learning

Pupil self efficacy and their perception of

Learner agency in school improvement

UNCRC: article 12 enactment

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