I was born and raised in Aberdare, a town in the Cynon Valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. As a student, I attended a Welsh-medium comprehensive school. After completing my A-levels, I went to Swansea University and studied for a BSc in Physics and Medical Physics, attaining a 2:1 with honours in 2003.
Immediately after completion of my PGCE from the University of Cardiff, I began my teaching career as the Head of Physics at a secondary Welsh-medium school in Swansea. In 2009, I was successful in attaining a post in Beijing at a very large and prestigious local school, teaching A Level and IB Physics to Chinese students, eventually becoming the Vice Principal of the school in charge of the IGCSE and A Level programmes as well as being the International Award Coordinator. During my tenure, I was part of a team that led a group of 50 students to become the first Chinese school to successfully summit Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa’s highest peak.
As a teacher, I believe that I have the responsibility to uphold the highest standards of teaching and to practice multiple ways of learning in the classroom so as to create an environment where all students excel academically, socially and personally. I am also a firm believer of the importance of extra-curricular activities and assist in all Secondary school MIT collaborated STEAM based projects here at BSB. I am also an assessor and award leader for our school’s International Award.
Outside of the work environment, I am married and have two young children who are also part of the primary school here. When I was younger, I was also a keen martial artist, attaining a 1st Dan black belt in Shotokan Karate at the age of 14 and was a regular member of the U-18 Welsh squad. I have also trained in Tae Kwon Do and Korean Kickboxing and attained 1st Dan black belts in these disciplines as well as becoming Welsh Grand Master Korean Kickboxing Champion in 2007.