b'STAFF NEWSPaula StokesDes StokesPeter Schofield Data Manager Teacher of Design & TechnologyTeacher of English and Science It is fair to say that I have quite aThe path that has led me to teachingI am very honoured and privileged varied career history. Highlightsat South Dartmoor Communityto have the opportunity to work include working as a scientificCollege is an amalgamation of myat South Dartmoor Community officer with, what was, the Defenceexperiences and passions. I was bornCollege this year. I began the term Clothing & Textiles Agency. Thisand raised in London and I movedin English but I am now teaching in involved researching ways of usingto the west country when I joinedScience, as this is my main subject. I textiles to protect military personnelthe Royal Navy at the age of 18. Ihave previously also taught Childcare, from the environment, and trainingserved as an electrical engineer onPsychology and PSHE. I enjoy reading as a weather forecaster at an armyseveral ships and I was lucky enoughin my spare time as well as practising air base, watching Apache helicoptersto visit some wonderful locationsyoga and enjoying long walks along come and go from my window.around the world. The skills I learntrivers and beaches. I look forward to during my service, and later as anworking with you all this year. However, 2014 stands out as aelectrician, allow me to bring a momentous year: in January I joinedhost of vocational skills to my main SDCC as data administrator and inteaching roles in Motor Vehicles and June we welcomed our son WilsonDesign and Technology.into the world! With changes afoot I left SDCC to take on the role ofMy teaching experience has administrator at Widecombe Primarypredominantly been in the primary school where my husband was theschool sector where, for the past head. It was a family affair with ourseven years, I have had the pleasure son attending the school by then, andof serving as the head teacher in the family dog accompanying me ina small rural primary school on the office. We had three lovely yearsDartmoor.there before circumstances changed again and I am excited to be back atNot too long ago I was a very keen SDCC, this time in the role of datarugby player, but I have taken to manager.more leisurely pursuits now including trail running around the Moors and growing fruit and vegetables at home.TruthRespectEqualityExcellence southdartmoor.devon.sch.uk 23'