About me
I am passionate about the work that I do. I care about education and about the schooling our children receive.
I have personal connection with the mission that I am on. I have a dual heritage background. My father was born in Jamaica in 1944, a British colony, then moved to ‘the motherland’ at age sixteen. My mother is white British, from Derbyshire. As an army family, we travelled internationally, then as I started junior school, we settled in rural Derbyshire. My school experience did not embrace diversity. I was happy, I did well, but it could have been so much better. It could have been more inclusive.
As educators, we want to be part of that learning journey. To prepare children to be confident in themselves, be engaged learners and develop a sense of belonging. To have a good understanding of our multicultural society and how it came to be. We want every child to see themselves reflected in their school experience. We want to enable all the children in our care to reach for their dreams.
I do see positive displays of diverse role models (particularly during Black History Month) and representative books in many schools, but there is still so much more that we can do.
Full-circle… I now provide Diversity Days Everyday which brings focused, well researched training sessions to help teachers embed and celebrate diversity in schools and organisations every day – not just for one month of the year.
It's time for a fresh new approach… let me help you get the conversation started…
The Little Book of Balm for the Broken Soul
‘The Little Book of Balm’ discusses themes of identity, belonging and the importance of these on our mental health and well-being. It’s a personal reflection on a particularly tough time after a health trauma in Clare’s life. It's an uplifting read as she shares in it ideas of things that helped her to feel better. She hopes that it may help others too.
Experience and Education
Roles and responsibilities
-
Founder of Diversity Days Everyday in Derbyshire.
-
Founder of Singing Supply (Tra La La) in Derbyshire, provider of quality and reliable supply teaching. With a focus on the benefits of singing and nursery rhymes and story-telling to support the development of early language skills, deepen vocabulary and inspire a life long love of learning.
-
A teacher, with over 20 years experience teaching, ranging from Nursery to University settings. Specialising in the Early Years.
-
Parent Governor at my local Primary school.
Qualifications
-
MA (Hons) English Literature and Language, The University of Glasgow.
-
CELTA (Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults, International House Newcastle upon Tyne.
-
PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate of Education, The University of Newcastle upon Tyne.