Joanna Tolhurst

I have always believed in the capacity of each individual to learn regardless of any differences in the way they learn or of any social, emotional, cognitive, environmental or physical issues that can make learning more difficult. There is a key to unlock every child's potential and, as an educator, it is my role to find that key. Questions to ask are: ‘What's the barrier to this child learning this skill or knowledge? What can I do to remove that barrier?’ and ‘How do I increase this child’s learning capability? How do I enable them to develop thinking skills that in turn perpetuates learning? How do I encourage learning without limits?’

Within my educational and mentoring practice I embed the counselling principles of empathy, unconditional positive regard and genuineness . Feeling understood, safe, and able to trust are the nurturing grounds for learning and positive change.