#MeetTISB - Ms. Karen Oliver

Born and raised in Ealing – West London, England, Ms Karen, Deputy Principal of the Primary Years, loves a good cup of tea to keep her going. She grew up in a green and leafy part of London and spent most of her youth in the parks playing football or kayaking down a river.

After finishing her schooling in London, Ms Karen moved to Liverpool where she trained to be a teacher at Liverpool John Moores University. She took a 4 year integrated Bachelor of Education degree which combined Education and Literature and enjoyed the practical aspects of teaching placements in some challenging schools. Once her studies were complete Ms Karen moved back to London where she began teaching in a Primary School.

It is working with the youngest learners that brings me real joy and satisfaction

Ms Karen has taught most age groups in Primary and has taught IGSCE and A-Levels, as well as training adults to be teachers – but it is working with the youngest learners that brings her real joy and satisfaction. She worked in a range of schools in London before moving into international education. She enjoyed leading a school in Jakarta Indonesia, before moving to Bangalore 8 years ago. This is her 25th year of teaching and working with the Primary Years in a school is what keeps her smiling.

Her family – mum, sister and fiancé all thought Ms Karen was going to work abroad for a couple of years and it has now been over a decade. But as her family likes travelling they enjoy coming to visit and exploring different parts of India on each visit. Ms Karen loves exploring and Kerala is her favourite place to go in India – being on the backwaters is the best way to relax. The Raja Ampat islands in Indonesia were the most beautiful place she has visited in the world and she enjoyed diving there more than the Great Barrier Reef or the Red Sea. She is a keen photographer and artist, so enjoys exploring and taking in some of the incredible scenery and historic places that the world has to offer.

Joining TISB has been an incredible experience so far. The campus is a beautiful place to live and work and being surrounded by the energy and enthusiasm of the children in the Primary Years makes it a real joy to be at work. It has been good to be joined by so many new families, students and teachers, as you don’t feel like the only new face. The staff and students across the school have been really welcoming and it feels like I have been at TISB for a long time. The children really make the experience of being here unique as they want to talk to you about everything from dinosaurs to the latest book they are reading… I think my favourite moment was listening to a Grade 2 student reading a story to his classmates – I think we have a future storyteller in the making!

Quick Q&A with Ms. Karen

· What’s the best thing about being a teacher?

Working with young people! They have so much energy, enthusiasm and joy – it keeps you young when you join in with them. The best part is watching them grow and develop and work out who they are… the forming of the characters of children is a beautiful thing to be a part of and it is a real privilege to see the students bloom.

· What’s your favourite school lunch?

I really enjoyed the lunch last Friday – I am going to rename it ‘fries’ day. The lunch was mini veggie burgers in buns stacked with lettuce and tomato and it was accompanied by homemade crispy fries. The watermelon was a refreshing way to end the meal.

· What is your favourite song at the moment?

Most songs by Ed Sheeran or Coldplay – but currently ‘Something just like this’ – by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay

· Tell us 3 interesting/quirky facts about you

I have snorkelled and been scuba diving in 6 out of 7 continents on the planet - the last one is a bit too cold!

I am a huge Formula 1 fan and watch the grand Prix at Silverstone whenever I can during the summer – I follow Lewis Hamilton and know lots of useless facts about the F1 cars and drivers.

I was born with an extra thumb on my left hand. I still have a mark on my hand where it was.

· What will the storybook of your school life be titled?

Embrace the adventure!

· Write the new school rule you always wanted.

Be ready to make mistakes and fail sometimes – learn from them and grow.

· Which is your favourite spot on campus

I haven’t found 1 special spot yet… but the trees and green spaces around the campus remind me of my favourite parts of London – so I love walking around and exploring them. I also like the little stream at the bottom of the Hockey pitch, especially after it has been raining.

· What one piece of advice would you give to your students?

Be kind! Kindness is free… sprinkle it everywhere!

Winnie the Pooh says it best!

Be kind to yourself and to everyone you meet. You never know what kind of day someone is having and so being kind can make a difference. It can bring joy where there is sadness and hope when it is needed.

Thank you Ms. Karen. It is a joy to have you be part of TISB!