1Can you explain your role in one sentence?I am a History Teacher and supervise an International Baccaulaureate Diploma programme called 'Creativity, Activity and Service' at Halcyon International School.

2How long have you been doing this job?I have been working at Halcyon since it opened back in 2013 but before then I worked in secondary schools in both Hackney and Camden. I have been working in education for 14 years now.

3Did you find yourself in this role by accident or by design?This particular job was an accident - I met our Head Teacher who was setting up the school at the time at a training course for an anti-racist educational organisation called ‘Facing History and Ourselves’.

4What’s the best part about your job?Working with students and supporting them in following their own interests. I am responsible for coordinating the schools Eco Committee which encourages students to take ownership on a variety of environmental initiatives around the school. In recent years, students have led on several fantastic projects including an anti-wastewater campaign and a walk to school week, reducing our carbon footprint. As part of My 'Creativity, Activity and Service' role I also get to supervise our IB Diploma students with their service projects which is really rewarding. Some of my students are currently working with the Marble Arch London BID to help take care of the green spaces for the senior residents of Crawford Place Christian Union Almshouses.

5What’s the strangest thing that has ever happened to you in your job?Interesting question. I feel like I should come up with a less obvious answer but teaching students online during a global Pandemic has to be one of the strangest.

6What do you enjoy doing when you are not at work?I am a big fan of being out on the water and really enjoy both sailing and paddle boarding. I am lucky living so close to the Thames, but I often head down to the Solent as the sailing tends to be better. I also love walking and have spent many a happy weekend exploring new areas of Richmond Park.

7What do you like about this area?I like the fact that Marble Arch is so multicultural and has so many micro villages with their own unique personalities. I am also a big fan of Hyde Park.

8Where’s your favourite place to go for lunch in the local area?I am extremely lucky that my school has an amazing vegetarian canteen and the cooks are fantastic. If eating out, Maroush Express have lovely food and I am a big fan of the Gate.

9Who is YOUR hero and what is it about them that inspires you?Someone who has inspired me is the poet Benjamin Zephaniah. I went vegan at the age of ten and he was about the only famous vegan at the time so he was always being interviewed by the vegetarian magazines. Those early pioneers helped us to see it was possible, even though it was a lot harder back in 1990 than it is now! He has also been outspoken on a range of issues from animal rights to racism and that is something we should all aspire to.

10If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?I am currently learning to sail, so I am hoping eventually to make it to some Pacific Islands. I love travelling but the climate crisis is making me rethink air travel, so I am hoping this will allow me to travel with less impact.