After completing my music degree at Kingston University, I was motivated and inspired to continue my progress and was selected to work at Dagenham Park Secondary School. Working as a cover supervisor gave me the experience of class room management and teaching a large number of children in an academic environment. I observed various teaching strategies and gained a broad knowledge of the different stages of the curriculum. By observing different classes with different teachers, I realised that there is a greater satisfaction in teaching when the pupils show understanding and progress. I am now able to use it in my current teacher role at the PRU (pupil referral unit). Following on from Dagenham Park, I have also worked for Catch 22 which is a charity who work with the local community.

I have done many events with the Congolese and Ghanaian community. I was part of the team that did Congolese independence, Miss Congo Beauty Pageant and Afrobeats Sundays where I worked closely with local artists and established entertainers such as DJ Abrantee, Davido, D Black, Joey B, R2Bees, Atumpan, Kwamz & Flava, Ice Prince, Eddie Kadi, DJ Neptizzle, Jazzy and A Squeezy to name a few.

I am currently working at Mayesbrook Park School (previously known as Barking and Dagenham Tuition Centre) a PRU, as a qualified music teacher. I mainly deal with pupils with special educational needs, particularly those with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD). This has largely helped me appreciate the barriers to learning pupils face and has subsequently equipped me with strategies to overcome these. I have found that teaching music allows me to better connect with children at a level they understand. It’s a topic they find more relevant to their day to day lives. During my lessons, my focus isn’t just directed at teaching the subject but giving the children skills that can be adapted for their everyday lives.

I was fortunate enough to have a positive experience in education and I wish to share that with the youth of today. Having grown up in a deprived borough in a council house I have a better understanding of where many of the children I teach are coming from. This has lead me to start up my own music production company called Platinum World production where we provide DJ services, Artist and talent Management and Studio recording. This is an ongoing project and my philosophy is to use the creative power of art to inspire and educate.