What is your role at Blackheath High School? 

I am a Design and Technology teacher. 

How long have you been teaching for?  

I have only been teaching for five years, having come from architectural practice. It has been a very busy and fun few years! 

Where did you study and what did you study?   

I came to England from Greece when I was 18 to study Architecture because some of the best Architecture courses are here! I found myself in 1997, well before the internet, trying to navigate change at the University of Huddersfield. Three years later I earned a BA (Hons) in Architecture and then I did my post graduate DipArch at Edinburgh College of Art. I stayed in Edinburgh for two years and loved it. I could have easily stayed there but there was a nagging feeling that there was more architecture to explore in London. So, I travelled south and made yet another new start in London where I did my Part 3 in Architecture at South Bank university.  

How did you know that teaching was the profession for you?       

Whilst practicing being an Architect, I worked with the RIBA on educational workshops during the weekends and really enjoyed it, but I never thought this could be my job, it was mainly volunteer work. 

When my son was in Year 5 we were looking at secondary schools and I stepped into the realization that in this country Design is part of main education. It blew my mind! In Greece I had to go to an evening school to learn the basic drawing skills, it was not part of the curriculum. I felt drawn and wanted to have a go. But I like doing things properly so at that point I went on a course to learn pedagogy and achieve the Teachers qualification.  

Why Blackheath High School? What sets the school apart from other schools? 

Highly qualified teachers that care for each student. Both pastoral and educationally everyone is happy to put extra work so that each student accesses whatever they are interested in. The confidence in each student that comes from a nurturing environment is visible through their respectful manners and their ability and will to converse in pretty much any subject.  

What inspires you/ gets you out of bed in the morning? 

I am an early bird so I wake up early naturally and love the house when it is quiet. Those 15 minutes where I can have a coffee looking outside in peace are worth getting out of bed before all 5 of us are up and all the demands start. 

What kind of leader are you?  

I would like to think I am a caring leader. I have been told I am good at communicating things clearly without overwhelming others. 

Who are your role models? 

My cousin who, sadly died this year was one of my greatest role models. He was a professor of Archaeology in Greece. He pioneered a method called Archeometry in the university where modern techniques were used to determine the age of artifacts. His funeral was attended by 400 people from around the world. For me he was my cousin, my daughter’s godfather from the small island that not even the Greeks know of, our grandparents’ land. He used to take me out dancing when I was a teenager, we always came back at dawn. He had the most patient and serene nature. I have never heard him say a negative word about anyone. He had a magical way of bringing people together no matter what their political or economic differences. That’s how he managed to secure funding for his research and start an annual symposium of archaeologists around the world. He made everyone feel welcome and seen whilst empowering all his PhD students to work together and achieve world recognition. He used to encourage everyone to keep getting educated. Pursue whatever interests you, even if it’s towards an unusual direction. I haven’t met anyone else like him.  

Can you tell us a fun fact above yourself or an impressive/unusual achievement?  

Not much fun but an achievement that amazes even me: I have moved houses 13 times since the age of 18. I know a thing or two about orderly packing! 

Career achievement: successfully running my architectural office for 10 years.  

What are you most passionate about in life? 

People. I love connecting with people. I love understanding how different brains work. Building and being part of local communities. I did my two-year postgraduate degree on the Spirit of Architecture and communities. “Loci Architecture”.  

What is your favourite subject?  

My favourite subject aside from design is languages. I feel that the more languages people know, the better they understand the world. It is not just a means of communication; it is the path to emerging into a cultural entity with different values and norms. Any non-English speaking film I have plenty of time for because they are the quickest way of traveling into new places, countries that I may never have time to visit. I can’t relate to people that “don’t do subtitles” - we must broaden our minds and bridge cultures. I belong to a film club and love the Greenwich Picturehouse. I also love outdoor cinema and would happily go every night when I am on holiday in Greece. I love watching films without knowing much about them, it’s like a rollercoaster, I’ve seen some odd ones! 

What things in life would you put in room 101? 

Rhubarb and Santa. Please let the man retire. Surely, we can take over the present giving now.