Teaching Practice Coordinator in Primary Education

I have worked in education for over twenty years as a Headteacher, Local Authority Advisor, Education Consultant, Phase Leader, English Subject and School Assessment Leader, among many other roles. My teaching experience includes EYFS and primary.

At the University of Bedfordshire, I teach English units on the BA (Hons) Primary Education (QTS) and BA (Hons) Applied Education Studies degree courses, and lead the research unit for the BA (Hons) Primary Education (QTS) degree course.

My interests lie in creativity within primary schools: the neurobiology of creative ideation (the subject of my MA); implications of time within creative ideation; partner work to enhance creative ideation; and how teachers can facilitate creative learning through real-life contextual (play-based) exploratory learning. I am also interested in diversifying the English curriculum through conversations with children; facilitating children’s agency within English lessons; and exploring children’s motivation through the integration of self-determination theory into pedagogy.

Teaching Expertise

• English
• Early reading and phonics
• Creativity in education
• Supporting teachers and student teachers in developing research-informed practice
• Leadership and management
• Assessment for learning

Research Interests include

• Educational Neuroscience and applying neuroscience research to teaching pedagogy
• Social constructs of creative learning
• Diversity and inclusion within English teaching
• Facilitating children’s voice and agency in English lessons

Qualifications

• MA Educational Neuroscience (August 2021)
• BEd Primary (Hons) with QTS

Contact details

E: nina.mckay@beds.ac.uk