A little about my academic background:
I started teaching English and Drama in 1996 after graduating from UWE with my PGCE English degree, with my BA in Drama (and English), gained a few years earlier. With over twenty four years as a teacher (twelve as Head of Department) I am as passionate about my work now, as I was when I first started teaching all those years ago.
Now in my sixth year as a creative freelancer and tutor, I consider continual personal development to be crucial to keep my practice up to-date for both myself and my students. I gained my MA in Creative Writing (with Distinction) in September 2017 and this only increased my passion for language and writing.
My practice is current and I employ a wide range of strategies and approaches when teaching – and that includes online too! We are all different and unique, and we all learn and acquire skill-sets similarly. My teaching approaches reflect this.
I have ongoing links with the Abergavenny Writing Festival, where I enjoy my role as a director, and where I run and deliver the youth writing competition each year. I was invited to run writing and drama workshops for the the Crickhowell Children’s Book Festival 2019.
More recently, in July / October 2020 I ran an online creative-writing workshop for teachers / practitioners, at the invitation of the Black Mountains College, Powys. These are ongoing in to Spring 2021. I also facilitated and delivered a four-part creative writing course, for adults: ‘Hope Imagined’ October / November 2020 with the same college.
I started up Raven Drama in 2015, and Raven Tuition is a part of that. I plan to have a CIC up and running soon too, where I can promote and implement creative /well-being projects on a multi-generational level in south Powys and the surrounding areas.
Other voluntary roles include my role as a regional representative for two organisations, Youth Arts Networks Cymru (YANC) and Open Drama Wales.