Tao

I am a highly experienced teacher who is passionate about language and literature. I have been an IB Examiner since 2008 and believe deeply in the importance of critical thinking and creativity in education. I have worked in schools in the UK, Portugal, and Greece both as a classroom teacher and a Head of Department. Drawing upon my vast experience, I create engaging and interesting lessons adapted to the unique needs of each learner. My patient and caring approach is particularly appreciated by my students. Alongside English, I have also taught IB TOK and Theatre Studies, and A Level Media Studies and Drama.

"Ms McCarthy was the only one able to help me improve my IB English A: Language and Literature paper 1. Her analysis is so good that when she speaks in a lesson I try to write everything she says word for word, and I get upset when I miss things. This is how she was able to improve my English Language and Literature skills — learning how she analyses and accumulating examples of her styles of analysis until I was able to think in a similar way to her when I approach both unseen texts (paper 1) and seen literary texts (paper 2). However, that is not to say that my style of analysis is completely unoriginal — Ms. McCarthy’s lessons have taught me, fundamentally, how to approach the analysis of a literary text, and this has given me the ability to figure things out on my own. Ms. McCarthy even helped me in IGCSE English Literature and IGCSE English Language in the same way, and it was her help in IGCSE English Literature during the final stretch of the course — looking through the examiner’s report most notably — that taught me drama specific analysis for example mentioning the behind the scenes aspect of these texts e.g. this stage direction cues the actor of X to…, which has come in handy even in the IB as it demonstrates to the examiner the candidate’s understanding of literary form and the significance of authorial choice. Ms. McCarthy’s numerous discussions with me about the literary form have enriched this aspect of analysis further and add an important piece of evaluative commentary to my essays. Ultimately, I would like to thank you Ms. McCarthy for all your help and testify that you have been my best English teacher, which has been especially motivating given my previous experiences with English teachers." - IB Student

I hold a MA in Post Modern Literature and a Postgraduate Certificate of Education specialising in secondary level English. In my last role as Head of English, I was excited to develop the English Curriculum, combining best practices from British and American educational systems to create an engaging pre-IB secondary English Language and Literature curriculum. I am committed to education and deeply believe in the importance of continued professional development. I have attended multiple IBO workshops and, as an examiner, I remain up to date with IB matters. As a dynamic and flexible teacher, I enjoy the opportunity for exchange and growth that teaching provides for both student and teacher and am an expert at helping students improve academically.