Rachel White-Hunt
Teacher - Music
I grew up in London where I was lucky enough to gain a position in the London Schools Symphony Orchestra as principal clarinet and performed in venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican.
I undertook a bachelor of music degree at Leeds University where I studied both classical and Jazz music. During this time I spent a year at the University of North Texas on the jazz studies degree program which allowed me to develop my studies further and study both clarinet and saxophone with some of Americas leading professors. I also enjoyed taking extra credits in jazz and classical theory , history and composition , instrument repair , percussion studies and secondary school education.
On my return to the UK and completion of my degree I worked as a successful musician and peripatetic teacher before undergoing my PGCE in secondary music at Roehampton university,London.
For the past five years I have been working as head of music in a London Academy whilst also working on my advanced skills teacher (AST) qualification. I have successfully developed the music department to become one of the schools highest achieving departments and have written several new curriculum for singing and music technology within the department as well as running orchestra, band, choir,samba band and small group ensembles.
I think music is a vital part of every students life and education. Creating and taking part in music enables students to develop skills that are transferable through all their subjects, music should also be enjoyable and allow students to experiment and encourage their imagination. Music needs to be a integral part of the school and the school community and should be enjoyed in all forms by all student.
I love going to concerts and live performances and really enjoy supporting students with their musical interests , encouraging them to seek out what inspires them though school trips and workshops. Working on my AST and delivering staff training has really helped me to explore what makes a good teaching and learning environment and I now strive to make my lessons as engaging and challenging as possible so that my students enjoy learning and want to discover more.
In my spare time I like to run and am really looking forward to running along some of the lakeside paths and beaches . I also enjoy travelling and am very excited about exploring Chicago and America. I enjoy all the arts and love going to different performances , indeed my love of the arts has lead me to run a performing arts club in the past as well as music clubs.
I am very excited about working with the staff and students at the British school of Chicago this August and can't wait to continue my passion for education and learning in such an exceptional environment.