Earlier this year, we were able to support Nicola in securing a leadership position as MYP Coordinator at Verdala International School in Malta.
In this article, she shares some of her thoughts and gives us an insight into her journey in education, spanning almost 30 years across different continents!
What has brought you to this moment? We would love a short life story!
I’m from the UK and was originally an electronics engineer and in 1995, I had the opportunity to volunteer in Zambia, teaching for two years through the organisation Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO). This experience inspired me to continue my career in education, primarily because of my Zambian students’ passion for learning and how it directly improved their families’ lives. After volunteering, I later secured a teaching position at an international school in Zambia, where I settled and lived for 17 years before moving to Singapore, then Denmark, and now Malta.
My initial qualification was in electronic engineering, but while teaching in Zambia, I completed a PGCE and a Master’s in Education. As a life-long learner, I’ve continued taking courses and improving my skills over the years. I also joined Toastmasters when I was in Denmark, where I spent five years developing my public speaking skills, which was one of the best professional developments I’ve done.
(Distinguished Toastmaster Award, May 2024)
What has inspired you along the way, whether people, places or experiences?
For me, the biggest inspiration was my head of school in Singapore. She was a leader who put her trust in me, which allowed me to step into leadership roles as Deputy High School Principal and then High School Principal. We met regularly and her mentorship was invaluable, and continues to be to this day.
One significant project she trusted me on was an action research initiative with EARCOS, the East Asia Regional Council of Schools. I spent two years focusing on mindfulness practices for our students, along with our wellness counsellor and a primary teacher. She opened the door for us to pursue this project, fully supporting our efforts and investing time, money, and energy into it. Her trust and backing were truly inspirational.
What are you proud to have achieved in the school you are saying farewell to?
I joined an International School in Denmark in 2019 to lead the MYP authorisation process. Transitioning from High School Principal to Head of Secondary and MYP Coordinator was a new experience for me. The proudest moment came in July 2020 when we received MYP Authorisation, just 11 months after I joined.
My role involved supporting the team as we transitioned from an IGCSE curriculum to the MYP framework, which was a significant change. I’m proud of what we accomplished together during that transformation. When I left in 2024, I helped prepare the school for their evaluation visit with the IB, guiding the team in implementing the eAssessment to ensure students were ready for their next educational steps. I feel a strong sense of pride in what was achieved in Denmark.
How did you come to choose your next school?
A colleague in Hong Kong directed me to Teacher Horizons when I decided to leave Denmark, saying it was a good, relatively new organisation where I might find success.
Additionally, I was completing my principal training at the Principals’ Training Centre, through their Instructional and Evaluation Workshop, where I met the high school principal from Verdala International School. It was so inspiring to hear about the work that they had done at Verdala for inclusion and equity and we were all taken aback by how progressive the school was. When I saw Verdala listed on Teacher Horizons for the MYP programme, I felt drawn to the school and knew I wanted to be part of it.
Now that I’ve finished my first eight weeks here, I’m loving it. The school’s D.I.W. (Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing) setup truly reflects its values of integrity, respect and empathy. I enjoy interacting with the students and the MYP team in this large, progressive school. It’s been a wonderful experience and I’m proud to be part of such a positive environment.
What is your vision for your time there?
The school has just been authorised as an MYP school and has experience with DP and CP (Diploma Programme and the Career-related Programme). Currently, my focus is on the eAssessment, supporting teachers and students as they navigate this for the first time. I’m also working to raise the profile of MYP within the community, helping everyone understand the program’s excellence in preparing students for DP and CP.
I aim to enhance Service As Action within the MYP curriculum, ensuring students interact with the community and appreciate the significance of MYP as a pathway to becoming global citizens. My vision includes embedding the rigours of the eAssessment, promoting MYP within the community and integrating Service As Action into our daily interactions.
(Verdala International School, Sept. 2024)
What are your values and how would you describe your leadership style?
My values align closely with those of Verdala International School, focusing on integrity, empathy, respect and a commitment to growth. I believe in creating a positive environment for both teachers and students, which has made my first eight weeks here very rewarding.
As an MYP coordinator, I focus on collaboration and mentoring. I aim to support the MYP team in creating an environment centred on student success. As teachers grow and gain confidence in inquiry-based learning, our students benefit. My leadership style has evolved into a more collaborative and mentoring approach which directly reflects my growth in this role.
What is your vision for the future of education? What kind of teachers and leaders do we need to move us towards achieving such a future?
I strongly believe in the IB philosophy, particularly its focus on creating a well-rounded, inclusive learning environment through a holistic approach. The IB organisation is innovative, with other schools and curriculums looking to them for inspiration. I’ve been involved with the IB for 20 years and I am passionate about the IB Learner Profile and the flexibility it offers for our students to develop as individuals.
The future of education lies not only in intellectual development but also in building social and emotional skills to prepare students for an ever-changing world, especially with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As teachers, we must embrace these changes and be open to new teaching methods and digital tools while committing to lifelong learning.
I believe universities also need to adapt in how they prepare future teachers. At our school, we open our doors to support teaching practice and growth, as we realise we need compassionate innovators in education. AI will not replace teachers; instead, we need to find ways to integrate it while focusing on developing our skills to meet current needs. Adapting to the digital world is challenging, but it’s essential.
What is the best (and perhaps worst!) advice you have received?
I don’t think I’ve ever received bad advice, but the best advice I’ve had is to always be authentic. It’s important to be trustworthy and respectful without putting on a mask. Make decisions that reflect your true self and to always prioritise our students. Ultimately, it’s not about us; it’s about their needs. Everyone I’ve worked with has genuinely wanted the best for our students, which has been a positive experience throughout my teaching career.
What are your areas of expertise and do you have any passion projects?
My background is in technology, specifically as an ICT and Design Teacher, with experience in electronics engineering. My current passion is AI, and I’m part of a new design team at our school focused on it. There are 17 of us involved, and I’m excited to explore how AI can support our students ensuring they use it ethically and also streamline the processes for teachers as well.
We recognise that our school needs to effectively integrate AI into teaching and learning. My goal is to find ways to support our students and teachers through AI. There’s so much to learn every day; it is a very exciting future for us all.
How has your experience of senior leadership recruitment been with Teacher Horizons?
I was very impressed with Teacher Horizons. The interview process was a standout for me—I was screened before even being added to your roster, which I found impressive. This thorough screening ensured that the candidates presented to schools, such as Verdala, were already vetted and qualified. The organisation stands out because of this personalised approach, especially compared to the larger, more established options.
As a leader with recruitment experience, I appreciate the time and effort that goes into this process. Teacher Horizons’ approach of conducting interviews to find the right fit means I didn’t waste my time or the school’s time, which I found very beneficial.
