Nina Jackson

For an inspirational teacher, innovator of educational ideas and a love of learning with young people, Nina Jackson has covered them all, and her passion for education is exuded in everything she does. However, of all the issues surrounding the wonderful world of learning and motivation it is the use of music that seems to provoke the most debate and controversy. For the past 18 years Nina has used her enthusiasm and experience as a musician, Head of Music and Leader of Learning to raise achievement in the classroom through the effective use of music as a learning tool.

Her interest and key leadership roles in special needs have led her to devise Specialist ‘Therapy Programmes’ and she is in demand to deliver INSET for pupils displaying difficulties with anger management, disaffection with school, and lacking motivation and confidence. She has changed the lives of many with her expertise in ALN and Confidence Building.

In 2001 she was awarded a Teacher Research Scholarship from the General Teaching Council of Wales and subsequently devised, implemented and researched a programme she calls ‘Music and the Mind’, something that has attracted considerable interest world wide.  The research was extremely successful in raising achievement throughout the school in Wales where she currently teaches. 

Other educational bodies in Wales, including Swansea Metropolitan University, and a wide range of Primary and Secondary Schools in the UK have taken on board this ‘new learning tool’. Her work as a Lecturer on the M.A (Ed) Course has inspired others to carry out effective Educational Research. She is currently supporting a school in Hampshire who are using her research to improve standards in Literacy and Numeracy.  Extracts of her research work has been published in a ‘Learning to Learn’ book which is part of the ‘Campaign for Learning’ and is a contributor to the ‘Big Book of Independent Thinking” published in June 2006. 

She has delivered inset and seminars on the development of ‘Brain Based Learning’ and ‘Thinking Skills’ at Swansea Metropolitan University and has now been asked to deliver a ‘Teaching & Learning’ Module for their CPD Programme & M.A. (Ed) students.

And packed into what already seems an unfeasibly full professional life she has also supported Curriculum Development and Learning Strategies with the SARA (Schools Action Research Approach) project for Education Support and Inspection Service. ‘Promoting Effective Learning’ is the focus and Nina has been specifically researching ‘An enquiry into how an improved knowledge of individual pupils’ preferred learning can be used in order to promote improved standards of teaching and learning’.

She is also a Head of Learning and Leader of the More Able and Talented as well as being a Senior Professional Tutor (ITET) training the next generation of teachers. Nina’s love of teaching and passion for education has been experienced first hand by teachers and learners alike. Her strengths as an ‘Innovator of Educational Needs for the 21st Century’ through Motivation, Thinking Skills, Emotional Intelligence, G&T, EAL and SEN has had an impact of standards and the well-being of both staff and pupils.

Nina was the winner of the IPDA International Prize for Education in 2004. She has had numerous articles written on her as an ‘inspirational, evangelical preacher of education’ with the more recent in the TES July 2010.

Here are some recent comments from happy punters following a recent workshop Nina delivered at an Excellence in Cities day in London:

'Inspirational! Has given me some excellent ideas, as well as confirm what I've been doing in my classroom'

'Fantastic - Nina has definitely motivated me and I will definitely use more music in my class - would love to do a whole day'

'Fun filled, inspiring, energetic and energising, some great ideas, very thought provoking and encouraging'

So, why not book Nina for an Event with your staff, students, parents or governors (Nina delivers Events for early years, primary, secondary and further education).

People who benefited from Nina have also enjoyed Tim Benton.

Articles writtten by Nina Jackson:

• Music and the Mind
  

Books written by Nina Jackson:

• Big Book of Independent Thinking (contributor)
• The Little Book of Music in the Classroom

So, for fascinating, inspiring, high enthusiasm INSET events covering the use of music and other learning and thinking strategies to raise achievement with all students contact Nina through the Independent Thinking office on 0844 589 0490 or e-mail us at learn@independentthinking.co.uk

Nina's CRB number is 001238310087 issued 3rd June 2009.

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