Michelle Jeanette Stevenson

I am a nursery teacher at Monroe's Nursery in Dubai. I teach children aged 3-4 years where their education is based on the EYFS, a British Curriculum taught by British teachers.

I work beyond my job specification in assisting with the creation of the contract, creating the lesson planning for term time and summer camp. I assisted with managing the teaching assistants when required. I took a large role in the creative side of decorating the classroom due to lack of staff and assisting others when needed. I am also the I.T. specialist in the nursery, making the videos for all events, fixing minor I.T issues and creating brochures and letters for the parents.

My aim to is concentrate on preparing the children for the schools in Dubai in literacy, concentrating on writing and communication in a creative and fun form of learning. I'm a vibrant teacher and believe in encouraging children to be creative and enhance their learning making them independent learners. I take into consideration the different learning styles and ways of learning by incorporating them into my lessons in an effective varied form of learning.

I enjoy teaching children they allow me to express my creative and vibrant personality. I am more fascinated with the KG age because it's interesting to watch them develop their personalities and become their own unique individual. I am an active person and like to be moving a lot so teaching children is ideal for me.

To teach English, to Kindergarten, Juniors, Young Learners and Adults. To prepare two hour lesson plans and relevant materials for the required level. To attend workshops for professional development and assist in any extra curricula events.

I taught English as a foreign language for Grade 7 children at a secondary school in Bangkok, Thailand. I also taught Media and Library. I chose to teach in a foreign country to experience a completely different culture and to gain some work and life experience. I believe this experience has developed my maturity and initiative and skills in organisation. I had to use my initiative in creating suitable lesson plans for different levels of learning and be very creative in my teaching. Teaching a foreign language meant developing new skills and having certain characteristics to be a good teacher. It was important that I was determined, patient and to encourage fun into the lessons to hold the attention of the class. For instance, to hold the classes’ attention, it was important to play games often, use visuals and experiential learning; learning by visiting a disabled school, creating posters, leaflets, watching English movies and studying them. It was important that I was open-minded so that I could adapt to the culture. I left very much wanting to teach at a serious level.

I was in charge of 3 classes, a total of 77 students aged 12-13 years. I also assisted in the conversational classes and badminton sessions. I worked a 5 day week, starting from 7.30am to 4pm but on occasion, I had to work a 6 day week. The position enabled me to develop my skills in being creative, resourceful, develop classroom management, and communication. I adapted to a new culture, sharing my experiences, my knowledge and my culture with the children.

I worked as an Administrative Support Assistant for the Ministry of Defence, ‘International Defence Training’ department. I worked as part of a team and assisted with the development and coordination of NTC Government to Government training activities for members of Uniformed Forces of Foreign and Commonwealth (F&C) countries. I liaised directly with other MOD Departments, VTF Ltd, and other civilian organisations. I raised documentation for arranging RN/RM training in response to bids for training. I fully supported my line manager and my team. I look for solutions and not problems and share any information with my colleagues via group emails and in shared spreadsheets. In working in a team, I share any problems or changes that occur. For example, a country may want to cancel their bids on a course at a certain date. I would log this on a shared spreadsheet so that all the team would know which could as a result; allow them to increase their bids for their country on that date.

I worked as an Administrator for the OJAR Cell in West Battery, on Whale Island, Portsmouth. I made sure Royal Navy officer’s appraisal reports were completed and met their deadline’s for the promotion boards. It is necessary for reports to meet their deadlines as this will better the customer’s chances in promotion or career transfer. I have developed skills in communicating with different Embassies around the globe. I gained an NVQ level 2 in Customer Service and level 1 ECDL qualification. I have also obtained qualifications in competency related courses and gained a certificate to show that I volunteered in the Challenge CYMRU, Prince’s Trust ‘Get Started’ programme in South West Wales.

I left my role for promotion to an E1 position.

My duties involved the handling of all Armed Forces Payroll section and related issues. This includes financial matters such as deductions for civilian fines (speeding etc), mess fees, judgement debts, charities and the CSA (Child Support Agency).

As an Administrator, I make sure I have a good rapport with my customers, whether it is over the phone or in person. I always greet my customers and at the end of the call I enquire if I have helped them appropriately and assure them if they have any problems they should call again. When I am unable to give my customers the information they request I always explain the reasons why it is not possible.

My work involved the handling of pay and pension databases and expeditious enquiry handling and resolving. I was the first point of contact for any query from serving personnel; Army, Navy and the RAF. I answered queries regarding pay, personnel and records of service, medals and pension enquiries.

While working at Centurion as an Enquiry Centre Agent, I mentored many people. I mentored them until they were confident to work independently. I provided them with the guidance they needed, such as self-made user guides, and then by taking it in turns to answer the calls. I involved them in listening to calls being answered so they developed an understanding of the role. They would then be able to communicate and be comfortable on the phone and understand how to use the system.

Close liaison with the general public from all backgrounds. Helping people with their everyday skills in getting back on to their feet; with the aim of building confidence and teamwork, training in skills such as office administration, domestication such as cooking and cleaning.
Management assistance of outside trips for morale boosting and keeping a happy environment.

Military Training:

MLDP 1. I learnt basic soldiering skills, such as shooting, living in the field, map reading and general military knowledge. This culminated in a 2-week Annual Camp in the Summer where all my newly learnt skills were put to the test.

Drill Nights & Annual Camp. Drill Nights were on a Tuesday evening and I learnt theoretical skills which I put to use on weekends away. This culminated in the 2-week Annual Camp. On Annual Camp I put all of the skills I had learnt throughout the year to the test.

Military Discipline. As a member of SUOTC, I was expected to comply with military discipline as directed by the Commanding Officer of SUOTC.

Sport and Adventurous Training:

Sport is seen as an important part of my military training, and while at SUOTC I got the chance to participate in a number of different sports through adventurous training.
SUOTC took part in a number of adventurous training expeditions throughout the year, many of which are created and run by Officer Cadets, with help from the Unit staff. I was heavily involved with the AT Phase at Summer Camp (Watersports, Mountain Biking and Hill Walking.) I participated in many Hill Walking expeditions in places such as the Lake District to Mount Snowdon in Wales.