I’ve transitioned from the structured world of education as a chemistry teacher to the dynamic realm of software development; my journey is marked by a consistent drive to understand and solve complex challenges. As a graduate of Makers Academy, I combine clear communication and collaborative spirit with technical proficiency in DevOps and cloud engineering. In my teaching career, I significantly boosted student success rates and led team-driven initiatives, transforming these mentoring and leadership qualities into valuable assets for the tech industry. With a foundation in Biochemistry and Genetics, my analytical mindset is well-suited for devising innovative solutions. I thrive on teamwork, adaptability, and the joy of demystifying the complex, striving to leave a meaningful impact in every project I undertake.
| Name | Description | Tech/Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Ansible Project | Leveraged Ansible server setup to automate the configuration of a web server on a remote Ubuntu machine. | Ansible, AWS (EC2), Ubuntu, Apache2, Python, Yaml |
| Reliability Project | Enhancements to a veterinary hospital's HOSP system, focusing on operational integrity, enhanced reliability, and security against breaches. |
AWS (EC2, VPC, CloudWatch, Athena, API Gateway, CloudFront, Lambda, Loadbalancer, DynamoDB, S3), NGINX |
| Security Vulnerabilities Project | Executed a security overhaul employing SAST and DAST tools to identify and rectify vulnerabilities in existing software. |
Bandit (SAST), OWASP ZAP (DAST), Python (Flask), HTML, SQL (PostgreSQL) |
| Metapod Project | Designed and deployed an Amazon EKS cluster with Terraform and automated CI/CD via GitHub Actions. | Terraform, Github Actions, S3, EKS, AWS CLI, kubectl |
| MakersBnB | An AirBnB clone project, utilising agile work practices and integrating a SQL database with Python. | Python (Flask), HTML, CSS, SQL (PostgreSQL) |
Explore my diverse range of projects on my GitHub Profile.
Woodhouse College (January 2021 to July 2023)
Teacher of Chemistry
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Prepared A level Chemistry students with a comprehensive curriculum, resulting in a 30% increase in A and A* grades.
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Provided UCAS references and guided tutees through the application process, culminating in multiple offers from top institutions including Oxbridge and Imperial College.
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Oversaw the Medicine academy, providing support for students applying for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine courses, including mock interviews, medical society trips, and building relationships with healthcare professionals.
AQA (May 2022 to July 2023)
A level Chemistry Examiner
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Marked A level Chemistry exam scripts and ensured consistent marking through team standardisation.
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Met strict deadlines set by the exam board.
Mill Hill Senior School (September 2019 to December 2020)
Teacher of Chemistry
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Taught A level and GCSE Chemistry with a well-structured scheme of work.
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Planned lessons, marked assessments and provided feedback to students.
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Contributed to departmental work, including developing schemes of work and setting exam papers.
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Ran extra-curricular activities such as science club, TED club and revision lessons.
As a Chemistry teacher, I honed my problem-solving abilities by creating engaging curricula that simplified complex scientific concepts for students, significantly improving their success rates. This analytical approach translated seamlessly into software development during my time at Makers Academy, where I routinely tackled coding challenges using Python and debugged applications by dissecting and solving complex problems methodically.
My background as an A-level Chemistry Examiner demanded meticulous communication to maintain marking standards and support exam board objectives. In the tech realm, these communication skills became invaluable as I navigated collaborative coding environments, articulating technical issues and guiding peers through code reviews during pair programming sessions.
Transitioning from the education sector to technology, I've demonstrated exceptional adaptability and an eagerness to learn. My swift mastery of DevOps tools such as Ansible, Docker, Kubernetes and cloud services through AWS reflects my ability to immerse myself in new technologies and contribute to evolving software development practices.
Leading the Medicine academy, I fostered a culture of excellence, collaboration and support, directly contributing to the academic and professional advancement of my students. In the tech industry, these leadership skills have been pivotal in group projects, ensuring team alignment with Agile methodologies and driving successful project outcomes.
My career in education cultivated a deep emotional intelligence, particularly in understanding and responding to the diverse needs of teenagers. This role demanded patience, empathy and the ability to manage a range of emotions constructively. Participation in emotional intelligence (EQ) sessions at Makers Academy has further enriched my interpersonal skill set, equipping me with the tools to effectively bring a nuanced approach to team interactions in the tech sector, where I remain sensitive to the emotional undertones of collaboration and ensure a supportive atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and understanding.
Makers Academy (July 2023 to October 2023)
Software and Cloud Engineering Bootcamp
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Developed robust software solutions by embracing Test-Driven Development (TDD) principles, utilising tools like Pytest for Python and applying Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) methodologies to enhance code quality and maintainability.
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Improved team dynamics and problem-solving capabilities through pair programming and group projects, adhering to Agile methodologies to meet critical deadlines and deliver value iteratively.
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Elevated team communication and empathy by conducting Emotional Intelligence (EQ) workshops, leading to more cohesive and effective collaboration.
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Integrated a suite of DevOps practices including containerisation with Docker and Kubernetes, infrastructure automation with Terraform and continuous integration and deployment pipelines using Jenkins, resulting in streamlined deployments and scalable cloud infrastructure.
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Prioritised security and reliability by employing both Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) and Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities, alongside leveraging AWS CloudWatch and Elastic Load Balancing (ELB) for real-time monitoring and site reliability management.
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Advanced software delivery processes by fostering a feedback-rich environment through rigorous code reviews, thereby enhancing collective codebase integrity and team skill levels.
- PGCE Secondary Science (Chemistry specialism)
- Mill Hill County High School (Placement)
- BSc Biochemistry and Genetics
- Final Research Project Title: Two-hybrid screening for novel ubiquitin-binding proteins