Nicola Lawrence
Nicola Lawrence is Head of Mathematics at John Gray High School. She developed a deep love and appreciation for the subject thanks to her inspirational maths teacher when she was at senior school.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
One of my past students who became a successful civil engineer came back to tell me that it was because of my influence as his maths teacher that he chose that career path. It reminded me of the impact that teachers have on shaping young lives.
How has teaching changed or evolved since you first became a teacher?
The role of the teacher is a lot more dynamic now compared to when I was a newly qualified teacher. Teachers have had to adapt to the rapid evolution in technology, diverse learning styles and less conventional instructional strategies. The focus is now on developing students holistically as global citizens in a modern world, in the rapidly changing information age.
Do you think there should be more focus on financial planning and relationship advice as part of the senior school curriculum?
There should be a focus on these important life skills as students prepare to embark on their journey through adulthood. Students not only need academic qualifications but also practical skills that they can apply in the real world. I believe many of the issues that adults face could be avoided if the education system also catered to helping them develop the relevant skills to navigate their adult lives.
Teens worldwide have been facing greater mental health challenges over the past few years. What are your thoughts on the best ways to address the issue and help teens thrive?
I believe we should teach parents how to recognise these issues emerging in their children so they can be addressed swiftly. But even before it gets to this point, parents need to learn how to communicate effectively and empathically with their children so that they don’t feel so isolated. There is no parenting manual, and many parents struggle to relate to their teenagers and the issues they face.
Nickesha Lynch
Nickesha Lynch is Head of ICT at Clifton Hunter High School. She comes from a family of educators and she is continuously guided by the quote “teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning.”
How has teaching changed or evolved since you first became a teacher?
In recent years, the field of education has made significant strides towards inclusivity, particularly in reaching and engaging at-risk students. Educators now have access to a variety of tools and resources that cater to diverse learning needs, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive academically. Additionally, there has been a shift towards actively involving parents and the community in the educational process. By fostering stronger relationships with these key stakeholders, schools can create a more supportive and collaborative environment for students. This partnership not only enhances student success but also strengthens the overall educational experience, ultimately leading to a more cohesive and effective educational system.
If you were to take your students on a working holiday, where would you take them and why?
A working holiday to Tokyo, Japan, could be an enriching experience that combines technology, culture and innovation. Tokyo is a global hub for technology and innovation, offering students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of AI and ICT while experiencing Japanese culture. They would also notice the absence of litter and graffiti, reflecting a collective effort to uphold cleanliness and orderliness. This cultural norm extends to schools, where students are typically responsible for cleaning their classrooms and common areas after school.
Have you seen an increase in anxiety amongst teenagers since the COVID-19 pandemic?
Many students struggled with the abrupt shift to online learning, the isolation from their friends, and the uncertainty of the situation. It was a challenging time for all of us. However, I’ve also seen positive changes as things have returned to normal. Students have readjusted to in-person classes, re-engaged with their peers, and found their footing again. It’s heartening to see them smiling and participating more, slowly but surely moving past the anxiety that the pandemic brought into their lives.
Natalie Scott
Natalie Scott has been teaching for 20 years. She has taught in illegal refugee camps in France, and was voted The Times’ Educational Blogger of the Year in 2016. She joined Footsteps School in 2019 and is Head of English and a KS3 teacher.
How do you handle or deal with disruptive behaviour in class?
Kids like routine and to know where they stand. Most of us do! Talking to students about their actions will often shed light too. We all have bad days and whilst children navigate their way through the tricky teenage years, with hormones galore, they often struggle to rationalise or consider the impact of their behaviour unless they have the opportunity to discuss it and consider how, reflecting afterwards, they may have acted differently and got a better outcome.
Which of your current or previous colleagues do you admire the most and why?
I have the pleasure of working at Footsteps School and am surrounded by some amazing teachers, but I admire our School Directors, Emma and Bryony, immensely. They have started the most forward-thinking school that I have ever worked in, with staff who are truly valued and where school values underpin all their leadership decisions. They have created an inclusive, caring school, with strength in its diversity — and now they have very exciting future plans.
You want to take your students on a working holiday. Where would you take them and why?
I would take them somewhere to experience, first-hand, life for children of their age group who are less fortunate than themselves. Here in Cayman, we live in a lovely paradisiacal little bubble and whilst we do have students from different walks of life, very few realise just how lucky they are to be here.
Which of your own teachers inspired you the most?
My English teacher, Mr Biggs, for teaching me to love Shakespeare, Poe, Orwell and for introducing me to feminist literature by exposing me to brilliant writers such Angela Carter and Margaret Atwood. He was so relaxed, so knowledgeable, so bright, so funny with this brilliant dry sense of humour. He deliberately made the work hard, challenged us with new terminology and words, but he encouraged us to challenge him in return.
Madeleine St-Amour
Madeleine St-Amour’s mum was a popular Headteacher in primary education for 25 years and was her inspiration to become a teacher. Madeleine is Head of Sixth Form at St Ignatius Catholic School.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
As part of the leadership team of a new inner London (UK) Sixth Form we supported young people from deprived areas to gain entry to prestigious university courses. Three years in, 25 students secured offers to study medicine and I accompanied a group of them to the BBC News studios to be interviewed on the evening news about their achievements.
Which famous author would you invite to entertain your class?
We recently took our A Level English Literature group on a visit to New Orleans to learn about Tennessee Williams’ life and work, which was brilliant. If we could bring him back from the dead and return the hospitality in Cayman, we'd have some entertaining and edifying class discussions!
Who is your favourite author and why?
I recently read Zadie Smith’s ‘The Fraud’ and have enjoyed all her books. Her books force British people (like me) to look inwards and ask difficult questions about our national identity and relationship with the past.
What’s the best piece of advice you would give older students who are about to leave school?
Leave with an open mind and seek out people who challenge and inspire you.
Do you have any tips for parents who struggle to get their teenagers to study for exams?
Try to model good habits yourself by spending time together away from phones and screens. Try to limit the nagging—especially during tense moments—and create solutions such as comfortable spaces to work, a quiet environment, nourishment and opportunities to switch off.
Do you think there should be more focus on financial planning as part of the senior school curriculum?
Absolutely. With the most up to date expertise right here in Cayman, we could work together to offer impactful content that is backed by research.
