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Staff Profile - Mrs Bird
Name: Mrs Bird
Role: Teacher of English
Subject: English
Favourite Book: ‘The Opposite of Loneliness’ by Marina Keegan - a hauntingly beautiful selection of essays and short stories written by Keegan, a young graduate of Yale University who tragically died in a car accident shortly after she graduated. Each story felt so personal and unique when I read them; I remember feeling like it was teaching me what it meant to be human. I love reading a total mix of books including crime fiction, classics, and cookbooks!
Favourite Film: As a former student of film, I can’t narrow this down to one, so I have a ‘Top 10’ which ranges from Christopher Nolan’s Inception (2010) to Some Like It Hot (1959) with Marilyn Monroe, and The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), which is based on the adventure novel by Alexandre Dumas.
Hobbies: I enjoy playing both the piano and cello sporadically, swimming, cycling (though I need to buy a new bicycle), and mountain walking. Recently I even tried adult gymnastics! Though it was rather difficult, it helped me conquer my fear of handstands as I broke my wrist doing a handstand when I was 7 years old.
Favourite Food: I make a delicious dish called Shakshuka, which is a kind of tomato, pepper, onion mix with paprika, cumin and chilli powder, topped with ‘vegan egg’ which I make using gram flour and kala namak (black salt) for the sulphuric taste. We use ciabatta to scrape the pan which it’s baked in.
Favourite Holiday destination: New Zealand: I drove a 1970s VW campervan around both beautiful islands in July 2017 which was both incredibly chilly and tremendous fun!
If you did not work in a school what job would you like to do? Probably an actor – I can be quite dramatic in my English lessons and enjoy telling stories. I was in quite a few productions as a child, though never more than a supporting role.
What is the most challenging thing you have achieved? Climbing mountains – I have completed the three peaks of the United Kingdom, though not within 24 hours: that’s my next goal. I also planned a small wedding in 18 days, which was an extreme challenge as we were restricted by pandemic regulations!
Why did you decide to work in education? I love learning myself, and I learn so much from my students! As well as sharing my enthusiasm for education with my students, I love discussing words and ideas and stories and perspectives; I enjoy continuing my own study of English through teaching it and learning from my students.
How have you found your first term at Invicta? Intense but enjoyable – the students and staff have all been incredibly welcoming.
