James Carey

Parkour-ED

In this episode of Parkour-ED IFS secondary school English teacher James Carey covers his childhood spent in Singapore. At the age of 10, he moved back to the UK with his family, and the challenges of this transition, as he went from the bustling urban life of Singapore to a rural village school in the UK.

After completing his A-levels, James attended the University of Kent, studying politics but eventually shifting to English and American literature. He pursued a master's in the same field at the same university, with a year spent at Indiana University in the US. James reflects on a mix of experiences during university, including staying in dormitories and commuting from home. Campus life in the UK is compared to that in the US, with British campuses being more focused on studies while still providing opportunities for socializing and forming connections.

James played American football at his UK university and shared his love for various American sports. After his Master's degree in English and American Literature, he pursued a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) for teaching, involving hands-on school placements. He taught at schools with contrasting challenges during this training, developing insights into students' lives. Subsequently, he began teaching full-time in southeast London, where he stayed for a year. He then moved to Gillingham in Kent, teaching literature at selective schools, which he found suited his teaching style better. James reflects on his journey from learning to teaching, highlighting the rewarding relationships with students and his ability to bring his passion for literature into his profession.

James describes his transition from teaching in the UK to working at the French school in Singapore. He discusses his teaching experience at the international section and the changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. He engages in football activities and expresses challenges in following American sports due to the time difference. He reflects on living in Singapore as an adult, comparing it to his childhood experiences. He shares his language experiences, having studied French and Spanish and having picked up bits of other languages during travel. He acknowledges being part of an English bubble in terms of friendships due to shared cultural backgrounds and circumstances. He relates to the difficulty of breaking out of expat bubbles to connect with local communities.

In this conversation, James talks about his culinary interests, including a preference for spicy food, his love for cooking gumbo, and the impact of growing up in Singapore on his food preferences. He expresses his preference for the freedom in teaching methods at his current school compared to the more structured British system, although he acknowledges the benefits of close department relationships in the UK. The interview concludes with a reflection on his positive experiences with students and the overall positive atmosphere of the school.

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