Curious About Why We Help Support Teachers Globally?
I started my career as a British Volunteer in a Solomon Island primary school. I was told by my headmistress from New Zealand, ‘Don’t come back till you get your education degree’.
That’s just what I did. Then, I returned to the Islands, founded a school, taught my class, became principal of the school, and mentored teachers who became as excited about teaching as me.
My Journey of Resilience begins…
I love to teach, but I left school with nothing and a family breakup. Who would have thought that a shy Anglo-Caribbean girl who flunked school would ever become a teacher and help teachers globally?
01.
A Life-Changing Adventure
My husband and I ventured overseas as British volunteers in 1986, touching down in the Solomon Islands. A month into our arrival, Cyclone Namu ’86, hit.
I was keen to help in any way I could and ended up teaching a Foundation class of 72 kids. At that moment, I realised I was on the right path, and everything fell into place.
So, after returning to the UK, I went back to school to get my entrance to Uni. Immigrating Down Under, I finally got that education degree with Honours. Yippee!
02.
Building a Brighter Future
Eventually, we ventured out again and helped found a primary school that was self-funding and paid teachers what they deserved.
As principal, I had to learn pretty fast about setting priorities while budgeting and curriculum writing. I also taught my own class full-time, mentored teachers and trained student teachers to love to teach just like me.
Our first cohort of students graduated in the top 10% of the country to get into the very few High School places available. Our students’ success continued each year.
03.
Back Home with New Insights
After 30+ years of teaching, I’ve learned a thing or two. It’s important to foster creativity in our students, but it can be challenging to do that when you’re drowning in paperwork and admin tasks.
That’s why I created I Love To Teach 101 (ILTT), to help teachers get organised and create a classroom environment that encourages creativity.
We’re also all about empathy and equity. For every purchase made on our site, a substantial portion of the revenue lends a helping hand to Solomon Island teachers in need.
