I believe self-knowledge and self-actualisation are the foundations of a life well-lived. So, I facilitate self-discovery, inspire and empower personal and professional growth by curating, designing and delivering transformative and life-affirming courses and programmes with kindness, impact and humour.

At the heart of my philosophy is the belief that each individual is unique and possesses distinct worldviews, talents, and abilities. My aim as an educator is to guide students through the process of discovering and becoming their whole selves.

This involves understanding their values and proclivities, uncovering their unique aptitudes and capabilities, envisioning their desired future and taking decisive steps towards reaching it. I believe that this process of self-discovery is critical to helping students reach their full potential and achieve success on their own terms.

My international experiences as both a learner and an educator have provided me with a deep understanding of the needs and perspectives of diverse student populations. I have learned that effective teaching requires moving beyond local educative paradigms and focusing on the core components for creating successful courses and programmes: building trust with students, helping them discover their potential, and empowering them to achieve it.

Furthermore, through my experience working with marginalised groups, I gained insight into the systemic obstacles they encounter and the multi-faceted approach required to address the barriers that stand in the way of their education, facilitate their academic success and create an inclusive student experience.

I am committed to helping students develop self-efficacy paired with a growth mindset – the belief in their capacity to exert control over their motivation and behaviour and to develop their skills, talents and abilities through adequate strategies, guidance and personal effort. By means of structured exercises, guided discussions, and formative assessments, I guide them through the process of identifying and examining their personal values and inclinations - thus reinforcing their level of involvement and drive - and developing their skills and abilities.

In order to further facilitate their growth as distinct and autonomous individuals, as well as promote and foster critical thinking, creativity, and innovation, my classroom operates as a “brave space” – a learning environment which acknowledges and honours our common humanity, our divergent viewpoints and the occasional discordance among them. By embedding emotional intelligence competencies such as empathy, communication, teamwork, and leadership development into the curriculum, I foster psychological safety in the classroom and enable students to show up authentically. Students feel seen, heard, and validated. They know that it is safe to learn, to contribute and to disagree, and they engage in the learning process with confidence and enthusiasm. 

Together we take responsibility for co-creating a shared experience and work side-by-side: we examine our beliefs and assumptions; we listen and engage with each other’s stories and perspectives with respect, curiosity and the understanding that our viewpoints and frames of reference are deeply rooted in our vastly diverse life’s experiences; we embrace complexity, we learn to welcome and navigate disagreement, and we work collaboratively to discover new ways to move forward. Together we strive to make sense of the unknown and create shared knowledge, we resolve to let go of the beliefs which no longer serve us and adopt more adaptive viewpoints, and empower ourselves and each other in the process.

As students develop self-awareness and clarity, and take ownership of their values, views and impact, as well as their skills, talents and abilities, they build the mindset and skillset required to become ethically-driven and emotionally intelligent leaders who can make a positive impact on the world.

By empowering students to become their whole selves, I believe that we can create a more compassionate and just society that celebrates diversity and values the unique contributions of each individual. I am committed to this vision, and I strive to make it a reality through my creative teaching practice every single day.