Dr Debra Kidd
Teaching and Learning - Creativity - Dilemma-led Learning
There few people working in education today who have the breadth of experience that Dr Debra Kidd has, let alone the depth of understanding of all things educational from national policy level to what goes on in the classroom.
And that's not to mention teaching theatre skills to children in Siberia.
It is why we are so pleased that she is an Associate with Independent Thinking and why she is so much in demand to speak at conferences, to train teachers and to work directly with young people across the UK and internationally too.
Debra is rare in that she has experience in every phase of education from nursery and EYFS all the way through to FE, including her recent appointment as an Associate Lecturer in the PGCE programme at Leeds Beckett University where she supports international students. She combines this vast experience, especially looking at literacy, oracy and the power of the Arts, with a clear view on what education is all about and the willingness to speak truth to power through various platforms including national TV.
"We’re pedagogical activists who can change the future so hope, don't mope, reform, don't moan."
Dr Debra Kidd
Recent titles include:
- The Curriculum of Hope!
- Making Learning Matter
- Using Enquiry and Dilemma to Motivate Learners
Her first book, Teaching: Notes from the Frontline set out her stall in no uncertain terms regarding the issues teachers and school leaders are battling with today as they confront the conflict thrown up by trying to balance government expectations with doing the best thing for the children and young people in their care. It is a book, like the rest of her work, that balances anger at the situation teachers find themselves in with practical and reassuring ideas about how they can still do the best possible job all round.
She followed that up with Becoming Moebius, the publication of her rich doctoral thesis which encourages us all to take a fresh look at the very nature of teaching, learning, human interactions and possibilities in every classroom.
Her most recent book for the Independent Thinking Press, Uncharted Territories, takes the fight directly to the classroom in a way that shows what a great teacher Debra is.
Drawing on creative pedagogies such as the Mantle of the Expert, and highlighting the academic research that supports them, the book is a beautifully presented and wonderfully practical piece of work. It was written in collaboration with friend and fellow Independent Thinking Associate Hywel Roberts and is full of strategies to guarantee engagement, excitement and independent learning in even the youngest of children.
When she is not sharing platforms on educational matters in conferences across the UK or inventing and organising highly praised events such as the Northern Rocks teacher festival or the upcoming National Teacher Day, she is also in demand globally for her work with the International Schools Theatre Association.
Such works takes her to far-flung places including Hong Kong, China, Siberia and Poland where she uses her teaching skills and experience to tap into the power of the Arts to bring untapped creative talents to the fore in all sorts of children. She laso finds hersefl, currently based in Belgium working for a top international school with a focus on creativity, curriculum, teaching and learning.
For an inspiring, uncompromising look at education – from policy to practice – with an understanding that stretches beyond national boundaries, then Dr Debra Kidd is just who you are looking for.
Dr Debra Kidd In Her Own Words
“OUR OBSESSION WITH MEASURING AND CERTAINTY HAS DRIVEN US TO A
POINT OF NEAR DESPAIR AND TO MOMENTS OF BLIND ACCEPTANCE OF
THE SHINY AND NEW” - TEACHING: NOTES FROM THE FRONT LINE
- To enquire about booking Debra, call us on +44 (0)1267 211432 email us at learn@independentthinking.co.uk
- Debra has been with Independent Thinking since January 2014
- You'll find her in our Leadership and Teaching and Learning topic areas
- You can watch a conversation with Debra, Hywel Roberts and Ian Gilbert in 2020 here.
Enjoy a free consultation. Make a booking.
Haggle a bit. All acceptable.
Give us a call on +44 (0)1267 211432 or drop us a line at learn@independentthinking.co.uk.
We promise to get back to you reassuringly quickly.