Theresa has a keen interest in alternative education and interactive learning methods within education. She holds a Master’s degree in Comparative and International Education from the University of Oxford. During her career, she has given many workshops on themes of equality, diversity and inclusion. She has particularly enjoyed working together with young people and developing critical thinking skills, combating stereotypes and creating a respectful learning environment for all involved. She was a pre-primary school teaching assistant in Lima, Peru, an advocate and trainer on issues of equality, diversity and inclusion in schools around England, and a junior teaching fellow at a University college in the Netherlands. These experiences sparked her motivation for international development and education.
At Aflatoun International, she enjoys creating a variety of curricula on life skills and financial education for young people around the world. The curriculum projects are creative and hands-on and she is very inspired to support and be part of the Aflatoun movement. Aflatoun, she found her passion for combining social learning topics with the practical aspect of economic skills and supporting every child and young person to stand confidentially on their own feet. As an educational specialist, she continuously aims to provide SFE quality content that responds to the values and needs outlined by our stakeholders and partners.
Why do you work for Aflatoun International?
I want to facilitate positive change from an educational approach.
What is your role at the organisation?
Curriculum Manager.
How would you explain what you do to a 5-year-old?
I manage and create educational activities, lessons and plans focusing on social and financial themes for teachers or facilitators to use with children around the world.
Why is social and financial education important?
Social and financial education forms two crucial pillars in every person’s development and integration into a sustainable life.
What do you like most about Aflatoun International?
The network of people it Aflatoun attracts: from colleagues, consultants, master trainers and other stakeholders.
What is something NGOs have to deal with that you want to fix?
I want to ensure cooperation not competition – and remind all that learning is a lifelong process in school as in work life.
How do you see the future of Aflatoun International?
I see Aflatoun merging with other knowledge leaders and organisations that stress social and financial education and ensure greater access to our content by means of digital connections.
Please share with us a motto or quote close to your philosophy of life.
“Not being seen, not being recognised, being invisible to others, is really the most existential form of disregard.” – Carolin Emcke (German Journalist/Author) – an everyday reminder to see, recognise and regard others around you – to step out of your own bubble as much as you can. Listening to others, not through your own voice, but to theirs alone. That’s a continuous goal of mine.