STATEMENT OF APPLICATION (PK)

I am applying for this Teacher of Religious Education position at Fullbrook School, because I am very
interested in teaching and in helping students acquire key life-skills so that they can achieve all they
aim for; I consider it more than just a profession: teaching is a mission. As a qualified secondary
education teacher in Greece (UK QTS pending) I am ITC literate and I have studied in depth theories
of education and have had teaching experience in classrooms as well as one-on-one tutoring. My
latest job as School Escort for HCC has given me the opportunity to deal with, be responsible for and
take care of five students on the autism spectrum; it has also provided me with training seminars on
First Aid, Epilepsy, Autism and Safeguarding Children. My studies in Philosophy, with emphasis on
antiquity and the modern Continental tradition, have offered me a broad horizon of understanding on
the topics of religion, morality and ethics, but also on critical thinking, logic and epistemology. My
organisational and administrative skills were given the opportunity to get honed during the past
months, as I have taken up duties as Journal Administrator for Studies In French Cinema (based in
the University of Surrey), in which role I am responsible for coordinating the work of editors, authors
and external referees, liaising with publishers and distributors for the technical aspect of the
publications and helping with the organisation of the journal's annual conference. Hence, I believe that
my studies in education and my work experience so far render me fully able to meet the requirements
for this position. I am punctual and always respectful of deadlines, working excellently as part of a
team (the SEN Transport Team at HCC is of significant size and requires good team players in order
to coordinate successfully with the schools, the students, their families and various transport vehicle
agencies), but also on my own, as my studies at an undergraduate and postgraduate level verify
(excellent marks on BA and MA with distinction). While my experience of teaching at a senior school
is not recent, I am fully familiar with the Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Surrey Schools
(2012-2017) and adequately familiar with the GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Applied Ethics)
syllabus; my background in Philosophy can easily be considered in this regard not only as
compensation, but as a valuable resource for dealing with Philosophy-related courses (and extra-
curricular activities), such as Ethics, Politics, Sociology or Critical Thinking.

It is my firm conviction that education is of paramount importance in todays world, even more so than
it has ever been in the past. Thus, teachers are crucial and should be aware of their role; I am a
driven educator who wishes to assist in the personal development of students of all origins and
abilities. This driving force finds clear expression in my efforts to provide a learning-inducing
environment and to differentiate my style and methods of teaching depending on the particular profile
of each class and student. I would also be more than willing to help with planning and running extra-
curricular activities; during my MA studies I was the organiser of three different reading groups and
co-organiser one hiking team (my interests include literature, music, foreign languages, basketball). I
believe that I would be a valuable addition to the Religious Studies Department and I look forward to
learning from its experienced members, developing my own skills and catering to the educational
needs of the young students at Fullbrook School.
PSK