After college, where I gained A-Levels in English Literature, Human Biology, Sports Studies and General Studies, I studied for my BA in Primary Education (hons) at Greenwich University in London and specialised in Physical Education. I took a keen interest in sports and was part of the Universities netball team and indoor climbing club. After leaving university, I took on my first class teacher role in a medium sized school in Leigh-on-Sea. I spent five happy years in this same school and have taught all years in KS2. I had the role of PE and Clubs Subject Leader. This was a great experience and I enjoyed running a wide variety of sports clubs as well as moving the PE curriculum forward. In the classroom I strive to ensure my pupils are given the opportunity to be independent learners and they have the chance to follow up on areas of interest to them. I feel it is important that the pupils can link learning opportunities to real life scenarios wherever possible whilst being guided in the right direction.
My summers at university were spent working for a Girl Scout summer camp in Pennsylvania where I had the role of Pool Director and Camp Counsellor. It was an amazing experience and one which allowed me to make many close friends across the world who I am still in contact with to this day. Throughout term time I worked as both a supply teacher on my days off as well as a health care assistant at a local hospital. Outside of school I enjoy many hobbies including reading, watching films, spending time with my husband, family and friends as well as all forms of sport from canoeing and snowboarding to rock climbing and swimming.
What the students say about me...
"Mrs Kowis is really helpful and she explains things to me if I find it hard."
"I love being in Mrs Kowis’ class because she is really fun and we learn about really cool topics."
"Mrs Kowis is the best teacher I have had."
This school is different to all others I have worked at because…
Working at the British International School of Houston has been a very different experience in many ways. It has been such a pleasure to be able to work in a school that caters from Foundation Stage all the way to Year 13 because we can learn so much from each other. It has been wonderful to speak to Secondary specialists who have helped to develop our subject knowledge so we can cater really well for the gifted and talented students in Primary. Using the High Performance Learning goals we have embedded a teaching and learning style which is beneficial to all of our students.