Teacher Profile: Dr Felicia Simone Paulraj
Year(s) and Subject(s) Taught Years 10 & 11 (IGCSE) Biology, A-Levels Biology.
How long have you been teaching? 3 years.
What do you do in your free time? I am a voracious reader. I also enjoy TED Talks and travelling.
Why did you become a teacher? Why did you choose teaching as a profession? I love learning about the way things work and during my own education, I found that teachers play unique roles in the initial spark of curiosity which sends students on their own journey of exploration. When you are teaching and a student has that ‘lightbulb’ moment and independently takes the initiative to discover more – those moments are rare, but always reminds me why I love to teach.
Tell us about your own education journey. I discovered a passion for teaching when I began tutoring in high school. I taught Biology for two years at college level where I first learned about VAK Learning Styles during a Professional Development session. It fascinated me to learn that it was possible to tailor teaching methods to accommodate a student’s learning bias! My continued love affair with science led me to complete a PhD in research. I have been taught by scientists that motivated me to ask questions and discover more about how things worked. Similarly, I have sat in lessons with brilliant scientists and struggled to understand the wealth of what was being taught due to ineffective delivery. Deep down, I knew that I wanted to make science accessible to enquiring minds. When I returned to the education field, the man who interviewed me told me that my job was to make young people fall in love with science. I have been working on it ever since.
What is the most memorable moment in your teaching career so far? Lightbulb moments – I live for it.
What do you like most about teaching? Education has the power to open minds to futures that would otherwise be inconceivable. This empowers individuals to the belief that they can be more than a product of their environment. Young learners today have immediate access to a large volume of information which demands that teachers facilitate education that is meaningful, personalised and engaging. I have never had to be as creative, as when I am planning lessons. I am blessed because teaching places me in a position to help young people find ways to reach their potential and motivates my own development in the process.
What is the best thing about teaching at your school? It’s such a positive environment where the students’ needs are always prioritised, educators motivate one another to develop both professionally and personally and technology is (and should be) kept relevant.
Who or what inspires you? My parents, they encouraged me to keep learning. They gave me wings and the courage to fly.