Ms Jeannelle

I have six years' experience in teaching in Moscow, Russia, and three years' experience in journalism in South Africa.

I became a teacher, because I wanted to make a difference in society. Initially, I thought I would do that as a journalist, but after three years I realised that journalism is mostly negative oriented. Moreover, I seldomly had the opportunity and/or time to interact with others. After visiting my Mother in Moscow in 2017 and 2018, I took a break from journalism to “dabble” with teaching. I soon realised I have reached the point of no return – I was hooked on the exhilarating experience of teaching! Accordingly, I started studying online for my International Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of Derby in the United Kingdom, which I obtained in January 2023. I also have a BA in Communication, a BA (Hons) in Linguistics and a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. When teaching, my superpowers are liveliness and authenticity. I am excited when the students show progress, entertained when they make jokes, astonished when I learn something from them, naïve when faced with unexpected events, experimental and improvisational in my teaching approach, and humble when I make mistakes. At times, there is a language barrier between me and the students. I overcome this hurdle by using synonyms, simpler sentences, body language, and – when it’s absolutely necessary – speaking broken Russian. This often alleviates stress, as the students see that learning a new language isn’t easy and no-one is perfect.

Introductory Safeguarding in Education: 2024/25 (Prospero Learning, 2025); Child Protection Refresher for International Schools (2024, Tes); Marking and Feedback in the Inquiry Classroom [11- 16 Year Olds] (2024, Tes); Strategies for Enhancing Learning - Modelling (2024, Tes); Action Research (2024, Tes); Providing Support for SEND Pupils (2023, Tes); High-Quality Lesson Planning (2023, Tes); Child Protection Refresher (2023, Tes); Safeguarding Young People for International Schools (2021, Educare); Child Protection in International Schools (2021, Educare); Children’s Mental Wellbeing for International Schools (2021, Educare); Fire Safety for International Schools (2021, Educare); Health and Safety for International Schools (2021, Educare); Preventing Bullying for International Schools (2021, Educare); Raising Awareness of Peer-on-peer Abuse (2021, Educare); Staying Safe Online for International Schools (2021, Educare); First Aid Essentials for International Schools 2019 (2021, Educare); Certificate of TEFL / TESOL (2019, The International TEFL Organization); Editor-in-Chief (2015 & 2016, Wapad Student Newspaper); Best Student Newspaper (2016, ATKV)

During a hiking trip with friends in April 2013, I took a 130 m fall from a cliff in the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa. I was airlifted to a public hospital, underwent multiple operations and received two external fixators – one around my hips and one around my ankle. I spent a month in a city far from my hometown and another month in a hospital close to home. I lost one year of my studies, as I had to learn to walk again – this time with a limp. Eventually, I obtained my first degree (yet again far from home) with crutches as my mode of transport. In 2015, at 21 years old, I received a hip replacement. Why is this my biggest achievement? I survived. I fought through the hardships. I discovered that nothing is insurmountable. This experience has made me stronger, thankful, and determined.

I enjoy reading, painting, drawing, completing crossword puzzles and winning at boardgames. My true passion is writing. When travelling, I always try to learn and practice the local language. I also love observing the locals’ cultures, interactions, lifestyles, mindsets, clothing and foods. I am great at editing texts, finding grammar and spelling errors, and newspaper layout.

My bucket list includes writing countless books, learning to play the accordion, creating a new fictional language, and travelling through the US.