Lisa is Creative Director at Priory Woods School & Art College, an all-age community special school in East Middlesbrough. Raised in a council house in Thorntree, she talks about how her journey began as an energetic three year old. In an emotional and honest interview, Lisa recalls how her mother used to clean the dance studios to pay for her to attend dance classes.
 
She describes how she became a child dancer, excused from school to work at Billingham Forum every year, and the importance of beginning to earn her own money at the age of 9, and wanting to share this with her family. She went on to develop her ambitions to be a teacher - leading her first dance class at the age of 13. Having struggled with her schooling, Lisa describes the revelation of going to university, and how she worked 3 jobs to sustain her studies. 
 
After suffering an injury, she went on to a life in education, eventually becoming head of faculty at Acklam Grange and then Creative Director at Priory Woods. She describes how teaching SEND pupils has changed her perceptions on education; the difference between giving praise and giving value, and the importance of process over the end product.
 
Lisa has recently been diagnosed with ADHD.
 
Interviewed by Jennifer Essex. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright.
Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund
For full transcript please contact [email protected]
 
The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

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