BA, PGCSE
My interest in History began back in Year 3 when we studied the Tudors and the Aztecs. I found it fascinating that civilisations so different could exist at the same time, and was especially interested in Aztec pyramids and gruesome religious ceremonies! I vowed to one day visit Mexico to visit these ancient ruins, something I achieved in 2010 during my nine-month trip around South East Asia and South and Central America.
Fast-forward just a few years to Sixth-Form college and I found myself studying the Tudors and Aztecs again with fantastic teachers that inspired my degree choice and future career plans. This time however the focus was on the devasting consequences of European colonisation for civilisations in North and South America, and the impact of religious change in England and Europe. I began to see that History can be viewed from multiple angles, is always subject to great debate and can shine light on both the heroic and the horrific of human behaviour.
I spent three years at UCL completing my BA in History, again focusing mostly on 16th and 17th Century European and American History, before starting a PGCE in History at the Institute of Education. One of highlights of becoming a History teacher has been improving my knowledge of 20th Century History, and I’ve particularly enjoyed teaching the Vietnam War and African American civil rights. I hope to inspire a new generation of budding historians at BSG, who will leave with a better understanding of past and how it impacts the world we live in.