1) Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from, and what were you doing before arriving at THINK Global School?

I am originally from County Meath, Ireland, but for the past seven and a half years, I’ve called Queenstown, New Zealand, my home. Before joining THINK Global School, I worked as a secondary school teacher specializing in Science, Mathematics, and Woodwork/Construction Studies. Alongside classroom teaching, a massive part of my role and passion has been in Outdoor Education, particularly helping facilitate and support multi-day wilderness tramps and school camps. Balancing the practical, hands-on world of construction and science with the raw, experiential learning of the outdoors has shaped my entire approach to teaching.

2) If you could make one major change to global education, what would it be?

I would dismantle the “one-size-fits-all” standardized model of schooling. Instead of rigid testing, we should empower students to step out of the classroom and tackle local, real-world issues. Giving them the autonomy to design practical solutions for their own communities builds empathy, critical thinking, and civic responsibility in a way no textbook can.

3) Tell us about your favorite teaching experience pre-TGS.

My favorite teaching experiences have undoubtedly been Outdoor Education camps and multi-day tramps deep in the New Zealand wilderness. There is something transformative about taking students completely out of their comfort zones, away from screens, and into the elements. Watching a student who struggles in a traditional classroom setting suddenly step up as a natural leader when navigating a difficult mountain pass, or seeing a group work together to set up camp in challenging weather, is incredibly rewarding. It’s in those wild, unstructured spaces that the most profound lessons in resilience, teamwork, and self-reliance actually happen.

4) What is your most memorable travel experience thus far?

Without a doubt, skiing in the deep backcountry of Japan. As a passionate skier, experiencing their legendary powder snow was incredible, but what made the trip truly unforgettable was everything that happened off the slopes. Between the genuine hospitality of the people, the incredible food after a long day in the elements, and the quiet pace of the mountain villages, it was the perfect blend of high-energy adventure and authentic cultural connection.

5) If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Nepal is at the absolute top of my list. As someone who thrives in the outdoors, the draw of the Himalayas, the massive scale of the mountains, and the deep-rooted spiritual connection to nature in that part of the world is something I’ve always wanted to experience firsthand. To trek through those landscapes and learn from the communities that call the roof of the world home would be an absolute dream.