Miss Nikki Spence - Year 1 Team Leader
Hi, my name is Nikki Spence and I am pleased to welcome you
to Year 1 at GEMS Royal Dubai School.
I initially completed an HNC in Business Administration in
Orkney, in Scotland, however I soon realised that my real passion was for
teaching. I then gained an HNC in
Childcare and Education before studying at Edinburgh University, where I
qualified with a BEd (Honours) degree in Primary Education. I have worked at RDS for 2 years now and have
loved being part of such an effective and diverse teaching team. Over the last 2 years I have had the opportunity to learn about a
range of cultures and traditions which has been fantastic! I have an interest in the use of ICT in
teaching as well as a love for Literacy, in particular children’s understanding
and use of Phonics in their reading development. In my own time I love to horse ride and have
a horse of my own at home in Orkney.
I love teaching and feel that my enthusiasm and
encouragement is reflected in my teaching which is ultimately more
rewarding. I am extremely excited to be
continuing and enriching my career as Year 1 Leader for another year.
Mrs Carina Otte - Year 1 Teacher
I grew up in a well-known university
town in the north west of South Africa called Potchefstroom. My father was a
professor in African languages, so teaching is in my blood. I matriculated at
Potchefstroom Gymnasium and studied at the University of North West. I
completed my B.A. Honours degree with distinction, specializing in languages,
after which I did a postgraduate teaching diploma.
In 1988 I started my teaching career at a Secondary School in Johannesburg. I then ventured into the big wide world of business in 1990, accepting a position as a Translator for four years. My newly wed husband at the time, Ronald Otte, then accepted a position in Richards Bay on the North East Coast of South Africa. In 1992 I was offered a position at Richards Bay Secondary School teaching Years eight to twelve, later heading the English Department at the school. In 2001, after the birth of my daughter, Mada, I started lecturing at Richtech College, teaching Communications, English and Learning to Learn.
When we moved to Dubai at the end of 2005, I had the privilege of doing supply teaching at RDS in various grades for eighteen months and was again reminded that teaching children is what makes me tick. In 2007 I was appointed as a full time teacher at the school and taught the little ones in Foundation Stage Two for two years and has been in teaching in Year One ever since. I am also the Team Leader for all our wonderful teaching assistants and appreciate their hard work tremendously.
My family and I enjoy exploring the Emirates and neighbouring countries and whenever we are back in South Africa, we never miss an opportunity to go on safari.
Living and working in Dubai is an experience in itself and I marvel at the fact that our children are growing up in a multicultural environment. My main aim at our school is to give my best for our precious children, socially, emotionally and academically.
In 1988 I started my teaching career at a Secondary School in Johannesburg. I then ventured into the big wide world of business in 1990, accepting a position as a Translator for four years. My newly wed husband at the time, Ronald Otte, then accepted a position in Richards Bay on the North East Coast of South Africa. In 1992 I was offered a position at Richards Bay Secondary School teaching Years eight to twelve, later heading the English Department at the school. In 2001, after the birth of my daughter, Mada, I started lecturing at Richtech College, teaching Communications, English and Learning to Learn.
When we moved to Dubai at the end of 2005, I had the privilege of doing supply teaching at RDS in various grades for eighteen months and was again reminded that teaching children is what makes me tick. In 2007 I was appointed as a full time teacher at the school and taught the little ones in Foundation Stage Two for two years and has been in teaching in Year One ever since. I am also the Team Leader for all our wonderful teaching assistants and appreciate their hard work tremendously.
My family and I enjoy exploring the Emirates and neighbouring countries and whenever we are back in South Africa, we never miss an opportunity to go on safari.
Living and working in Dubai is an experience in itself and I marvel at the fact that our children are growing up in a multicultural environment. My main aim at our school is to give my best for our precious children, socially, emotionally and academically.
Mr. Alistair Ledger - Year 1 Teacher
I am originally from Sheffield where I attended 2 different
primary schools and studied up to A-Level at Tapton Secondary. Upon finishing
my A-levels I took a year out where I worked as a Teaching Assistant in the
Foundation Stage of a 3-16 school and as a nursery nurse in the local Nursery.
I went to the University of Cumbria to study Teacher
training for 4 years where I specialized in Drama in Education. I worked in 6
schools prior to Royal Dubai School and have experience working with all ages
from 3 to 11. I have always enjoyed teaching in Year 1 and am now entering my 3rd
full year as a Year 1 teacher.
Outside of school I enjoy walking, reading and playing
sports. Last year I joined the Dubai Hockey Club and I aim to continue playing
with them this year. I said last year that I hoped to see Al-Ahli FC playing
but have not succeeded yet, hopefully this year I will.
Miss Sara Vickers - Year 1 Teacher
Hello, I am Sara Vickers and am
from a little place called Rhos-On-Sea in North Wales. I joined the team at
Royal Dubai School in September 2011 and have benefited from so many learning
experiences already. I am very
enthusiastic about this coming year and the learning journey that the children
and myself will complete together.
I began my professional
career by studying a Ba Hons. degree in Sport, Health and Leisure with Media at
the University of Leeds. I then went on to further my higher education by
completing a PGCE, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University
of Wales, Bangor which I thoroughly enjoyed. On completion of my PGCE, I moved
to Cardiff where I undertook my first teaching post in Key Stage 1. Since then I have worked at both inner city
and small town schools before making the move to Dubai. My teaching experience
has allowed me to develop myself as a teacher and enabled me to further my
passion for the role I play within the classroom.
Miss Lauren Brockbank - Year 1 Teacher
Hello! My
name is Lauren Brockbank and I am excited to be joining the Year 1 team at RDS!
I am from the
UK and was born on a beautiful Island called Walney in the North West of
England. It is a very tiny Island - only
1 mile wide, but it’s home. I am very
proud of my Island and your children will hear me talk about it often!
I studied
teaching for 4 years at St. Martin’s College in Lancaster and graduated in 2009
with a 2:1. From there, I went on to
teach Year 1 and 2 at a lovely village school in Preston, with around 70
children on roll! Please expect me to be very wide eyed in my first few weeks
at RDS as I adjust to almost 1000!
I first came
to Dubai in 2008 and fell in love with it instantly. I subsequently visited so many times that I
decided to save money on flights by moving here! I am really looking forward to continuing and
developing my career in such a multi-national society.
I love teaching within the creative curriculum, which allows me provide children in my class with a very personalised learning experience. I like to create an inclusive, interactive environment with as many opportunities for independent learning as possible. I can't wait to begin this year's learning journey with 1LB.
Miss Maria McKeever - Year 1 Teacher
I love teaching within the creative curriculum, which allows me provide children in my class with a very personalised learning experience. I like to create an inclusive, interactive environment with as many opportunities for independent learning as possible. I can't wait to begin this year's learning journey with 1LB.
Miss Maria McKeever - Year 1 Teacher
Hi my
name is Maria McKeever and I come from county Armagh in Ireland. I am new to
Dubai and I'm really excited about working and living here.
My
teaching career started when I trained at Roehampton University in London where
I specialised in teaching the early years and foundation stage curriculum.
Since then I have worked as a key stage one teacher for three years in England.
In my
classroom I like to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where children feel
happy and at ease to share their ideas openly without worry of making mistakes.
I believe that talk plays a vital role in learning and I build discussion time
into many of my lessons. I love drama, music and dance and enjoy using these
skills in the classroom to help children learn in a fun and stimulating way. In
subjects such as Numeracy and Science I provide lots of hands on activities to
help children grasp concepts that can otherwise be quite tricky.
I
have a real passion for cooking and love eating different foods from around the
world. I am also a huge animal lover. I recently travelled the world for a few
months and enjoyed sampling each countries cuisine and wildlife. Meeting
monkeys up close in Asia and snorkelling amongst amazing creatures in the Great
Barrier Reef in Australia were unforgettable moments.
In my
education I was privileged to be taught by some inspirational teachers who
believed in me and supported me to achieve to the best of my abilities. I
aspire to do the same for every child that I teach in my career. I look forward
to the year ahead with my year 1 class.
