Meet the Teacher | Ms Grace

Meet the Teacher (#TEACHERFEATURE) is a St Andrews Bangkok community series that will give you a chance to get to know our outstanding educators – their thoughts, ideas and experiences.

Ms Grace, our Head of Year 7, Science Teacher has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Indiana University and has completed her PGCE Secondary Science specialising in Biology from the University of Exeter.

Your education and other work experience(s)

As a Division I varsity athlete, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Indiana University. Upon retiring from my swimming career, I naturally progressed into swim coaching where I worked alongside the Millfield Swimming program in England and then went on to become Lead Coach at Stamford Lions Swim Academy in Singapore. When COVID hit, I was inspired to pursue my PGCE in Secondary Science at the University of Exeter where upon graduating I was fortunate to join the St. Andrews community. Having completed 1 year at St. Andrews, I am excited at starting my new role as Head of Year 7 and welcoming all our new students to the secondary campus.

Who do you admire and why?

Dr. Stacy Sims. An author and scientist, Dr. Sims is the leading global expert on female physiology & training, having paved the way for female athlete performance over the last 20 years.

What areas of research/topics continue to capture your attention in your field and why?

In Science, I am particularly interested into research on women's health. Having come from a sporting background, it is quite shocking how little research has been conducted on female athlete performance. Only 6% of sports science research targets female athletes and only within the last 5 years of sport science research are we starting to make breakthroughs in our understanding of how women should be fueling, training and taking care of their overall health. Having been a female athlete and experienced many challenges in my career in this field, it is an area I am particularly passionate about. I hope to mentor female athletes within our community and support them with their active and healthy lifestyles so they are educated to look after their own health and well-being.

What hobbies do you have and what do you love about them? And what are your other interests?

I love participating in sport and exercise; particularly in CrossFit at Training Ground and Rugby with Bangkok Belles. CrossFit helps me to unwind every evening when I finish work (its my own form of meditation), as well as to remain active. Rugby has been a great way to meet others and set up my own social circle for my new life in Bangkok.

An interesting fun fact about you.

I swam at the international level, representing Great Britain. I have also competed internationally in Australian Football for England and Singapore. And you know what, my sister is also a teacher at Nord Anglia!