Briefly describe your career (teaching or otherwise) to date.

I began my teaching career by giving EAL lessons across schools in Kenya and Madagascar in my late teens. Having greatly enjoyed this exposure to being an educator, I subsequently tutored a variety of subjects during my time at university, before graduating with a History Degree from Durham University, and a Law Conversion from the University of Law.​

I then decided to return to teaching, which I had found to be so fulfilling in my teens on both professional and personal levels. For several years, I taught history at secondary level, and a variety of other subjects at primary level, earning my PGCE at the prestigious Ardingly College in West Sussex. Upon deciding that I needed a new challenge to satisfy my professional development and personal wanderlust, I took a position as a primary educator at Repton International School in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It is from here that I join Kennedy House international School. 

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Why did you choose teaching as a career and what do you try to instil in your pupils?

I chose to become a teacher because of the satisfaction that one earns from helping young people to become better versions of themselves. I am fully invested in the development of well-rounded individuals who are multi-faceted in their skills and curious about a wide variety of subjects.

 

I see it as my role to cultivate ambitious growth mindsets in my students; mindsets in which they take interest in the world around them, and actively seek out answers to the questions which they find themselves curious about. I believe that, with my guidance, they will find passions which will create exciting and fulfilling futures for them within education, and beyond.

 

Apart from your classroom teaching role, what else do you get involved with at the school?

Beyond the classroom, I tend to take an active role in outdoor pursuits and sports.

 

As a keen hiker, wildlife photographer, and general outdoorsman, I have facilitated the running of the Duke of Edinburgh award in the past, as well residential camping trips, and ambitious domestic and international expeditions. I hope to be able to contribute to outdoor pursuits at Kennedy House with this relevant experience.

 

I have also coached a variety of sports in my time as an educator. With personal experience within elite sport, I take coaching seriously and have guided football, hockey, cricket, and rugby teams to success at different levels. I look forward to helping to create dynamic and well-bonded teams at Kennedy House who will compete on the Tanzanian sporting circuit.

 

In your opinion, what makes Kennedy House special?

Kennedy House is special for a variety of reasons. It is a community-oriented school, with strong ties to the people of Usa River. It is also situated in one of the most beautiful areas on the planet, an area that I visited when I was a teenager and have always vowed to return to. Thirdly, it is run by teachers who focus inwardly upon creating the best educational and holistic experience for pupils. This factor, in particular, makes it a wonderful school to work for.

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Who or what inspires you?

I am inspired by people who are wholly devoted to, and passionate about, their crafts. Some of my favourite examples are Paul Nicklen, a renowned wildlife photographer, Alex Honnold, a pioneering climber, and Sarah McNair-Landry, a modern-day polar explorer. Their unwavering devotion and commitment to their pursuits never fails to inspire me.

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Tell us something that not a lot of people know about you.

Many people know that one of my passions is wildlife photography. I have photographed orcas, vipers, leopards, bears, and many other species. Not many people know that I have a list of thousands of animals that I wish to photograph in my lifetime, though I never ‘cross animals off my list’, so to speak, as I relish opportunities to revisit old subjects if they should appear before me.

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lewis@kennedyhouseschool.org

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