Kirsten Crosby

Learning is much easier when lessons make sense, feel achievable and are genuinely interesting. I want students to understand what they are doing and why, rather than simply completing a series of exercises.

Lessons are engaging and interactive, with plenty of discussion, questioning, explanation and practical application. I use examples, visuals and a wide range of resources to bring ideas to life, breaking more difficult concepts into manageable steps and approaching them in different ways when necessary. There is no rigid formula: lessons develop according to the student, what they already know and what helps them learn most effectively.

I encourage students to think, ask questions and become actively involved in their learning. Mistakes are useful rather than something to worry about, and I want students to feel comfortable saying when something does not make sense. I also encourage students to explain their thinking and explore different ways of approaching a problem or idea. As confidence develops, I gradually reduce support so that students become increasingly independent.

Lessons have a clear purpose, but they are not constrained by a fixed structure. If something needs more time, we can spend longer on it; if a student grasps something quickly, we can move on. Previous learning can be revisited and reinforced where needed, while new learning builds on secure foundations.

With more than 25 years of teaching experience, I have learnt that the same approach will never work for everyone. My lessons are therefore individual, flexible and responsive, while still being carefully planned and having a clear purpose.