Geographical Association - Secondary Phase Committee Members

Secondary Phase Committee Members

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DAVID ROGERS - CHAIR I have been a geography teacher since 2003 and Head of Geography at a large inner-city secondary school since January 2008. I am in love with learning and believe that a strong geographical education is essential for all young people. I have benefited from the collective wisdom, experience and ideas of the teaching profession as a whole and try to encourage a spirit of collaboration and sharing. My main interest is in the development and use of technology to transform learning. I also enjoy the naughty and creative side of learning and develop this through involving myself with the Geography Collective. I look forward to the many conversations I hope to have with you, and would urge you to get involved! Visit David's website Email David at: drogersmm@me.com Follow David on Twitter
SIMON RENSHAW - SECRETARY AND TREASURER I began life as a geography teacher in 2003 and get a huge sense of satisfaction from my job as Head of Geography at Soar Valley College in Leicester. I am constantly looking for new and exciting ways of helping students and teachers develop their geographical understanding. I have particular interests in formative assessment, creativity, thinking skills, effective communication and social media. I am also the ITT/NQT Coordinator at Soar Valley, a PGCE Co Tutor for Leicester University and a proud member of The Geography Collective. Working with the other members of the SPC is a great privilege and I always come away from our meetings enthused about the future of geographical education. Simon's website: Soar Valley Geography E-mail Simon at renshawgeography@gmail.com Simon is @simonrenshaw on Twitter.

VICTORIA ELLIS I am Head of Geography at Swanwick Hall School in Derbyshire, where I started my teaching career in 2003, and I am enthusiastic (too much so, some would say!) about all things geographical. Fieldwork is a particular interest - I am always looking for ways to extend the opportunities for our students to get out and about, both in our lovely school grounds and further afield, and I'm currently working with the RGS-IBG to develop the East Midlands Fieldwork Network. I've enjoyed mentoring University of Nottingham PGCE Geography students in the past couple of years, and am an A-level examiner for AQA. I maintain the AQA A-level and OCR B GCSE Nings, and I also represent the SPC on the GA Website Editorial Board. Visit Victoria's website Email Victoria at vikellis@googlemail.com Follow @victoriaellis on Twitter
GARY DAWSON I joined SPC in 1995/6. Di Swift, the then Geography Adviser for Staffordshire, nominated me, having seen a geographical twinkle in my eye. Since then, it has been one big professional development journey. We have a saying on SPC, 'join SPC and get promoted' and everyone has. SPC gives the opportunity to make a contribution to geography at a national level. I commend it to the world!! Having been Head of Geography and Religious Education at Fair Oak Business and Enterprise College in Staffordshire I am now an AST geography teacher at the same school.
BECKY KITCHEN I am Curriculum Manager for Humanities and Head of Geography at Aylesbury High School in Buckinghamshire. I am particularly interested in using video technology to explore pupil's personal geographies and received an innovative teaching grant from the RGS with IBG in 2009 to carry out research in this area. I am a Chartered Geographer (Teacher) and our department is also a holder of the Secondary Geography Quality Mark. I was awarded the Ordnance Survey Award for Excellence in Secondary Teaching by the RGS with IBG in 2009 and am currently creating resources and online CPD for the Geography Teaching Today website. I am really looking forward to working with like-minded geographers on the SPC.
DAVID ROBERTS I have been a member of the Secondary Committee for ten years. During this time I have represented the GA at examination boards, particularly AQA and QCA. This, along with presentations at conference, has helped considerably with my own professional development. When I began my involvement with the committee I was a Head of Department with limited experience. I am now Deputy Head teacher at Middleton Technology School near Manchester where we have particularly focused on Raising Boys' Achievement. I have recently achieved Chartered Geographer status and am also a consultant for the Geographical Association. The work of the committee is really important in offering support to Geography teachers around the country as well as an opportunity to meet like-minded dedicated professionals.
EMMA JOHNS I am Head of Geography at Hitchin Girls' School in Hertfordshire. I have been at the school since July 2005, after completing my PGCE at Bath Spa University College. I teach across the whole 11-18 age range and particularly enjoy teaching GCSE classes. I like teaching an inclusive and all encompassing subject and work hard to ensure that it remains that way in my school. I am passionate about the place of fieldwork in the curriculum and our students enjoy a variety of local, national and international opportunities. I have mentored a number of PGCE students and feel privileged working with some wonderful and dedicated prospective geography teachers. I have also delivered several training sessions at County NQT Geography events and enjoy this opportunity to meet new teachers in the local area.
KATHRYN STEPHENSON Having been a Head of Geography for seven years, I am now Assistant Headteacher (Deep Learning) at Stokesley School in North Yorkshire. I've been a member of SPC since 2004 and have worked on projects such as the SGQM, with QCA on the KS3 programme of study and have been an RSA. I've written 'Future Floods' as part of the KS3 Teachers' Toolkit series. I have a particular interest in using AfL to create high quality geographical learning experiences and am working on APP in geography with QCA. My current mission is to develop geography at KS3 so that it can have an impact on the wider curriculum!
RACHEL KAY I have been teaching geography for nine years in two schools, and have recently been appointed as Head of Geography in Huddersfield. I am very passionate about teaching and learning and aim to lead a department that embraces outstanding geography and is at the forefront of latest educational changes. I am particularly interested in promoting geography as an exciting and relevant 21st Century subject, and am an active member of a local geography cluster group in Calderdale. I see being part of SPC as a fantastic opportunity to share my passion with like-minded geographers and contribute at a national level.
BETH HARRIES I am about to begin what I hope will be a long and fulfilling teaching career at Central Foundation Boys' School in Islington, London having recently finished my PGCE at Goldsmiths. In 2009 I completed a Masters in Cities and Cultures at Queen Mary, University of London as a scholarship student. I feel very fortunate to be in the profession and enjoy the sense of currency and relevance that geography brings to young people's lives. A particular interest of mine is providing students with critical thinking skills through sensory geographies and considering how aural experiences affect a sense of place. This has spurred me to engage with young people, to challenge them to enquire and to investigate the world in new and unexpected ways. I consider the work of the SPC crucial in offering a community of support and inspiration for geography teachers. I am looking forward to sharing my passion for geography education and learning from others in the SPC.
PAUL HUNT I have been teaching since 1997 and have enjoyed leading two geography departments during that time. I am currently the Head of Geography at The Appleton School in Benfleet, Essex. I teach across the 11-16 age range and also a little History and Religious Education. The department has was awarded the Centre of Excellence SGQM in 2010 and writing the application an amazing piece of CPD! Part of my role at school also involves an international element and our links to Ethiopia are developing after a week long visit to several secondary schools in Mekeele. My personal interests involve getting students to develop a life long long love of geography, getting outdoors as much as possible and developing new and exciting ways to incorporate ICT within the geography curriculum. In my spare time I help out with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and am a keen geocacher! Paul's blog: The Appleton Geography Blog Follow Paul on Twitter: @GeogHunt