British native Emily Newman packed her teaching expertise and brought it to Beijing a year ago in her quest for an Asian adventure. Newman previously taught in Germany and Ukraine. She was delighted to be offered a position at the British School of Beijing for she wanted to teach at a reputable British school in a large, vibrant city. Newman shares with us about her childhood dream job and what she finds most rewarding about teaching.
What’s was your favorite subject when you were a student? Why?
From a young age I have always enjoyed and excelled at mathematics, however I also enjoyed ICT, music, art, psychology and sociology. Being a year 6 teacher, I am lucky to experience all of these areas and more on a daily basis.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What other career options did you explore before teaching?
I decided to become a teacher at a young age, however I have had other interests which I did consider pursuing, particularly maths and music. Teaching was the right decision for me because it is a career with which I can challenge myself and my pupils in many ways to develop to their full potential.
How would you (or your students) describe your teaching style?
My pupils describe me as caring, supportive and dedicated. I aim to secure their knowledge and understanding of concepts across the curriculum, as well as enabling them to develop into confident, responsible individuals.
What was your favorite book growing up? What are you currently reading?
I enjoyed reading the Harry Potter books as a child. Nowadays Iread travel, culture and cook books, and at the moment I am reading the hilarious book ‘Notes from a small island’ by Bill Bryson (who also handed me my teaching degree during graduation at Durham University).
How do you like to relax on the weekends?
In my free time I enjoy trying new restaurants, shopping and sightseeing, as well as attending balls and shows.
Where do you like to go on holiday?
I’ve visited 25 countries in Europe and Asia, and I’d like to discover more of these, but I’m also eager to visit the Middle East, Africa, and South America for the first time.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I have a wide range of hobbies and interests, including playing the piano, singing, yoga, dancing and learning languages – German and Chinese.
What’s currently on your playlist?
My current favorite band is Kodaline, but I also like listening to a range of music from around the world.
What do you find most rewarding about teaching?
I enjoy inspiring children to learn more about the world, as well as enabling them to do things that they never thought were possible. I encourage my pupils to believe that they could be capable of anything if they put their mind to it.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I’ve been a member of Girlguiding UK since the age of 7, including being a Brownie leader, which has inspired my teaching style, through initiatives such as ‘Smurf Smart’ and ‘Free Being Me’. It has also opened up new opportunities for me; this summer I spent 5 weeks at Sangam World Centre where I volunteered to teach at a slum school in India. These experiences have taught me the value of global education and inspired me to be the best teacher I can be.
Photos: BSB Shunyi
