My Story

I am a caring, friendly and enthusiastic qualified teacher with over 16 years of experience working with children with SEMH needs. I consider myself someone that can help bring that sparkle back in to learning and have been nicknamed 'Cara Poppins' by previous colleagues due to my rapport with some of our most vulnerable children. Is the structure of mainstream school something your child finds difficult? Do you need support home-educating your child? If so, I can help. I started out my career path working in a nurture school providing support to children with a variety of social, emotional and behavioural issues and went on to train as a teacher in this environment. After almost 10 years of working in this setting, I moved to a mainstream school to carry out my NQT year teaching a class of 30 reception children. For a further 6 years I have worked in an alternative provision as a teacher for children on 16 week placements to provide additional support to help them to reintegrate back into mainstream. During my time in this school I was also Primary lead which involved managing and mentoring staff and helping to plan for a bespoke curriculum. The majority of children I have taught have EHCP's and need specialist support and a more individualised plan to allow them access to learning.
I believe that learning should be fun and that by incorporating individual interests into the planning, that love of learning and inquisitive nature can flourish and this is when the magic happens! I would consider it a privilege to offer my skills and experience to support any young learners to reach their full potential.  I look forward to hearing from you.  

Personal and Professional References

 

"Cara provides outstanding learning opportunities for children, going above and beyond to achieve the best possible outcomes. Cara is a true inspiration to both children and adults, having a positive impact on the children she has cared for and taught within her teaching career.

I was Cara's TA in her previous teaching role, I honestly learnt from the best. Cara's passion for teaching and engaging children is so infectious, and I was in awe of the way Cara achieved positive relationships and remarkable progress within learning and behaviour.

Cara is fun to be with, always smiling and so supportive to all."

        Louise Costin (ex colleague, Springwell Alternative Academy)

 

"Cara is an amazing teacher , who cares about her students deeply . Cara is incredibly nurturing and provides an environment full of learning alongside nurture and connection . Cara is a pleasure to work alongside whose behaviour management is second to none . Cara works hard is resilient and takes on challenges . Cara’s skills , experience and knowledge as a teacher is fantastic the most caring person I’ve ever met."

     Bridget Rodgers (ex colleague, Springwell Alternative Academy)

 

"I'd 100% recommend Cara. She's creative, caring, kind and patient and sees each child as an individual.

I know this because she was my daughter's first teacher eight years ago and my daughter and her friends absolutely adored her - so much so they still talk about her now and remember how she made learning fun."

    Lisa James (Parent of pupil from Lincoln Carlton Academy)

 

"It's been a pleasure to work with Cara over the last few years and I'll always be especially grateful for the support and confidence that she gave me as a newly qualified teacher. Cara has a special ability to bring out the best in everyone around her and she gives absolutely everything for the pupils she works with. Pupils respond well to her warm and nurturing approach and this enables a culture where they enjoy learning and make good progress as a result."

    Jimmy Younger (ex colleague, Springwell Alternative Academy)

 

"If I was in need of a tutor for my child then Cara would be my first choice! 

Cara has so much passion, care and enthusiasm in supporting children. 

 I’ve previously worked with Cara and she demonstrated to be such a good role model. I gained so much experience from working with her. 

 Cara has such a lovely aura about her. Being in her presence is warm and comforting. 

 Any family would be lucky to have Cara as their child’s tutor."

       Molly Lound (ex work experience student, Fortuna school)

 

"Cara is a fantastic educational practitioner. She has a fantastic, warmth and positive energy which translates really well at building positive relationships and results in high levels of attainment of the pupils she works with.

She is brilliant at working with students of all ages, and I have the absolute confidence that she will be an amazing, caring and life changing tutor."

       Sam Colley (ex colleague, Springwell Alternative Academy)

 

"I'm so lucky to have worked with Cara, she is the most amazing teacher I have worked with and I would always be confident that any new student would be in the best most caring hands. Not only will she come up with engaging work she is the most nurturing teacher I have met that can meet the needs of any child"

      Luke Neve (ex colleague, Springwell Alternative Academy)

 

"I have known Cara for a number of years in both a personal and professional capacity.  Initially, I met Cara when we both worked for the Local Authority on a project engaging with disadvantaged young people in rural locations, where she had a clear ability to engage with young people and a vocation to do the best she could for them, supporting them with independence, linking with other organisations and  groups but also safeguarding them.  

Since then Cara has had what can only be described as a calling to support complex vulnerable children.  She is passionate, dedicated, caring, supportive, engaging and advocates for the children.  She has the ability to 'think outside of the box' in some very complex situations, and adapts her teaching style and sessions to get the best out of the children.  Her teaching sessions are fun, enlightening and different.

Cara also takes time to engage with families, in a meaningful way, adapting her communication style to get the best outcomes for the children, but also ensuring that families feel involved in the education of the children, kept apprised of the progress that is being made, but also to unpick when things are not working- to come up with solutions to make it work.

Cara also has the ability to engage with other teaching staff, bringing the best out of them ensuring they are supported and enabled in complex situations.  She also has the ability to engage with the wider MDT when required."

      Martyn Heginbotham (Personal friend and ex colleague Lincolnshire Youth Services)

 

"Having worked with Cara in a classroom, I can wholeheartedly say that her caring and nurturing approach to teaching brings out the best in her pupils. 

Cara brings a lesson alive and ensures that every child engages and achieves their potential."

     Debby Bailey (ex colleague, Springwell Alternative Academy)

 

"I have worked in education for over 8 years. Cara is without a doubt the most inspiring teacher that I have worked with. Her subject knowledge is fantastic and this shows when you observe her high quality teaching. 

Cara is able to tailor her planning to the individual needs of every child that she works with. She makes it fun, versatile and engaging. Her experience working as a teacher in a pupil referral unit has made her gain the tools and experience to ensure the most reluctant and challenging students are able to engage and succeed with education. 

As a person Cara has the most calming aura! Any person that works with her will feel instantly calm and endlessly supported. She is one of the most genuine and kind people that I have met. She will work relentlessly to support, nurture and guide her students through their studies!

You will be lucky to have Cara on your team! She is incredible!"

      Lian MacKenzie (ex colleague, Springwell Alternative Academy)

 

"Cara is a very patient and caring person who has a wealth of knowledge in her teaching role. She is firm but fair, makes learning fun and is always a positive role model for her pupils.. The children that have Cara as a teacher, love her. She is always happy to advise and support other members of staff and it was a joy to work with her."

      Andrew White (ex colleague, Springwell Alternative Academy)

 

"Cara is a creative teacher who is always thinking of ways to make learning interesting and to fully engage her learners. Her lessons are fun and she shows a great understanding of each child’s needs."

      Sarah Collins (ex colleague, Springwell Alternative Academy)

 

"Cara is the most child focused, patient and understanding teacher I have ever had the pleasure of working with and knowing. 

Her expertise in working with childr3n, particularly vulnerable and hard to reach young people is second to none. 

Cara possesses a magic to teaching that engages even the most disengaged students and helps them enjoy learning again. 

Cara has a wealth of knowledge of SEND children and those with behavioural difficulties as well as children with trauma and social and emotional needs.

Her knack of teaching in such a way that makes every lesson fun is hard to find.

I have known Cara for around 30 years and can't recommend her as a tutor for any child enough."

      Jo Ingamells (ex colleague, Springwell Alternative Academy)

 

"I have worked with Cara for the last 6 years. She has the ability to engage students in their learning through interesting and relevant topics. Cara has a natural affinity with students who struggle in their learning and applies trauma informed practices in her teaching. Cara has a thorough understanding of the national curriculum. 

Cara is reliable and trustworthy and I wouldn't hesitate to employ her in the future"

      Miriam Reynolds (ex colleague, Springwell Alternative Academy)

 

"If you aim to work with the best, then Cara is just what you’re looking for.  

I worked alongside Cara in the Alternative Provision and, in my 22 years experience in working with young people, I have never worked with or seen someone have the abilities to bring out the best in the young people in her care like she has.  She is skilled at building trusting relationships with young people, some of whom have been devoid of stability and trust, like no other person I have seen.  This in turn introduces the young people in her care to the life skills they need to build their futures. 

She is an excellent leader and professional practitioner who is firm but fair and only has one goal - that is to provide young people in her care with an education to give them the best start in life and to support them to go on to achieve their goals and dreams.

She goes over and above and I would not hesitate at jumping at the chance to work with Cara or employ her."

      Leigh Daley (ex colleague, Springwell Alternative Academy)