Hello everyone! My name is Kelly Tuppen and I am a Secondary English Teacher, as well as the Pastoral Coordinator for Sixth Form. This is my fourth year at HeadStart and I love my island life here in Phuket, as well as the fabulous students and staff that make up the school. I have a First Class Honours BA in English Literature, and a PGCE for Secondary English from the Institute of Education UCL. Prior to moving to Phuket, I taught KS3 and IGCSE English Language, Literature and some Drama for 4 years at international schools in Yangon, Myanmar. I also more recently taught for the rural Canadian school system in the mountains of British Columbia, Canada: ask me about my grizzly bear stories! I focus on fostering a holistic model of education and providing comprehensive support throughout students' learning journeys. With a strong belief in the importance of a well-rounded educational experience, I am dedicated to guiding students in their personal and academic growth. My Pastoral role centres around creating a supportive environment for young adults that nurtures their development and self-actualisation, both inside and outside the classroom. As an internationally-minded English teacher, I cultivate diverse perspectives, fostering analytical skills, cultural understanding, and tolerance. I encourage creativity through debates, roleplays, and visualising literature. Building independence and communication confidence is central to my practice, and I promote learning from mistakes and persistence - a growth mindset is key. I have a particular fondness for poetry and puns, which you may spot around my classroom. I'm excited for the academic year, eager to guide my new classes through language, stories and a variety of media. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. Best of luck to all this year!
