So glad you asked…

I started off as a proper academic — defending my PhD back in 1999 when I was young and starry-eyed.  In case you’re interested, my dissertation was called “This Feminine Invasion: The Representation of White-Collar Working Women in Canadian Magazines, 1900-1930 (which trips off the tongue quite, um… well, let’s just say ‘catchy’ wasn’t my strongest point back then — and it wasn’t exactly a best-seller).  I taught English, Women’s Studies and Critical Thinking at the Universities of Calgary and Alberta in Canada, and at Virginia Tech University, Roanoke College, and Hollins University in the United States.

Back in the UK, where I grew up, I turned to teaching English — and occasionally Drama, for my sins — at a local secondary school.  While I loved the subject, I didn’t love the classroom.  So I moved on and away after 4 years, turning my hand to professional fundraising — which brought with it a whole new set of skills and experiences.  Add to that two years as a professional lifestyle blogger and my ‘portfolio career’ was well underway. I returned to classroom teaching part-time during the pandemic — of all the moments to do that! — but I’m now focusing on one-to-work in schools, for schools and privately.

I love the joys — and challenges — of working one-to-one.  That brilliant moment when you can see the lightbulb going on — or hear the penny drop — is what enthrals me.  I love it.  I’ve been tutoring privately since 2008, which feels like a long time. I specialize in GCSE and A’ level English, but I’ve also worked with some Key Stage 3 students, and with undergraduates and postgraduates, as well as home schoolers and EAL learners. I’m seeing more students now with EHCPs in place, or with more challenging educational needs.

I’m editing, too.  And proofreading.  I’ve particularly enjoyed working on postgraduate theses and dissertations, and have learned about all sorts doing that.  And, just for good measure, I’ve done some writing and editing for local businesses. I now work on editing historical fiction in particular through a brilliant service called The History Quill. With them, I work on manuscript editing as well as individual and group coaching.

And all the while, I’ve been writing creatively.  Recently, I’ve even been showing it to other people.  I’ve had short fiction published, even a poem or two, and the manuscript of my historical novel was shortlisted for the Novel London 2020 prize. I’ve also received a Pushcart Prize nomination for a poem published in Quartet magazine online.

No, I’m not on straightest of career paths — but I’m having a brilliant time exploring all sorts of interesting side roads.  I love odd jobs, little bits and pieces, that pique my interest.  And I love the way that all those different side-roads have led me to new ideas, new strategies and new ways of thinking every single time.  

Long may it continue.