Jennifer Partington
Early Years and Primary Teacher
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Email: jennife.partington@bischicagolp.org
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Hello and welcome to my website!
I am a primary school teacher who is driven by a passion to inspire and prepare our children for the future and our rapidly changing 21st century communities. I strive to enable students to become life long learners through inquiry based learning, respectable in society and ambitious for themselves and their futures.
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Originally from the North East of Enlgand I have taught in South East London and internationally in schools in China, Thailand and Chicago, USA. I specialize in teaching ages ranging from 3 years to 7 years. In particular though, I have most enjoyed focusing my skills and professional development within the Early Years, using the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the International Early Years Curriculum.
The scope for creativity within this age range and the ability to spark the interests of young learners through Core Texts, visual stimuli and Key Topics excites me as a practitioner. I believe that when we stop answering questions for them and focus more on raising questions through encouraging inquiry, we open doors for the children to challenge, push and amaze themselves and those around them as to what they can accomplish. As Rabindranath Tagore said “don’t limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time”.
I value the use of both the indoor and outdoor environment as key tools within my teaching and to aid the children's learning.
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To learn more about my skills and experience please browse the tabs at the top of this site. I have included some photo examples which, I hope will provide you with an insight into my classroom environment and further examples can be found by clicking the Google Doc link.
EXPERIENCE
January 2018-July 2018
Supply Teacher
August 2014-July 2017
Nursery Class Teacher
British International School Chicago, Lincoln Park, USA
Responsibilities include;
*Planning and delivering the IEYC Curriculum and assessment using the EYFS
*Ensuring high standards of teaching and enhanced provision
*Supporting and implementing the school and Year group action plans
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Teacher Supply North East, England
Responsibilities include;
*Being available to teach a wide range of classes from Nursery to Year 6
*Planning for year groups as requested
*Maintaining excellent classroom management and safety of pupils in my charge at the time
*Carrying out any extra curricular activities as required
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Harrow International School, Bangkok Thailand
Responsibilities include;
*Planning MTP and for weekly and daily provision using the EYFS Curriculum and 7 areas of learning
*Liaising with team members and support staff
*Initiating a Phase 1 Phonics tracking file for use by each teacher and ESL staff in the Nursery Team
*Teaching and implementing Phase 2 oral Phonics
*Maintaining the classroom environment and enhancing the continuous provision areas of learning including the outdoor learning area to support inquiry base and independent learning opportunities.
*Reporting on pupil progress and supporting parent presentations.
*Compiling pupil Learning Journey’s which documents children's progress throughout the year
*Supporting and leading extracurricular activities (gymnastics, swimming, Zumba and Creative Arts for Reception aged children)
*Implementing and leading a bi-weekly Fun Fit Friday within the Early Years as part of a Healthy School’s initiative.
August 2013-July 2014
Year 2 Class Teacher
August 2012-July 2013
Reception Class Teacher
Green Oasis International School, Shenzhen China
Responsibilities included;
*General teaching and planning using the British National Curriculum
*Liaising with team members
*APP assessing and reporting on pupils
*Compiling and designing the curriculum topics for the Year groups
*Leading an extracurricular activity for 5 – 7 year olds
*Maintaining communication with parents through weekly online tracking sheets, meetings and monthly digital newsletters
September 2009-July 2012
Nursery Class Teacher
Childeric Primary School, London UK
Responsibilities included;
*General teaching in all 6 areas of learning within the EYFS
*Liaising with team members
*Planning using the EYFS documents
*Assessing and reporting on pupils
*Compiling individual Records of Achievement for each pupil
*Supporting the implementation of ‘Every Child a Talker’ within the Nursery
*Setting up and continuing a link between another Nursery School in a rural setting
*Working as part of the Thematic Curriculum Team alongside the Deputy Head to monitor and discuss the new topic approach to learning that the school is following
*Coaching extracurricular High 5 netball once a week to pupils aged 9-11 years.
September 2018-July 2018
Supply Teacher
August 2014-July 2017
Nursery Class Teacher
British International School Chicago, Lincoln Park, USA
Responsibilities include;
*Planning and delivering an effective IEYC Curriculum to Nursery age children. Assessing using the EYFS
*Ensuring high standards of teaching and enhanced provision
*Supporting and implementing the school and Year group action plans including supporting the development of Fine Motor provision across the year group.
*Supporting Team Lead to deliver Parent Forums
*Developing monitoring and assessment checks for continuity across the year group
*Liaising with Literacy Lead to support ongoing Literacy development across the school and Nursery
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Teacher Supply North East, England
Responsibilities included;
*Being available to teach a wide range of classes from Nursery to Year 6
*Planning for year groups as requested
*Maintaining excellent classroom management and safety of pupils in my charge at the time
*Carrying out any extra curricular activities as required
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Harrow International School, Bangkok Thailand
Responsibilities included;
*Planning MTP and weekly and daily provision using the EYFS Curriculum and 7 areas of learning
*Liaising with team members and support staff
*Initiating a Phase 1 Phonics tracking file for use by each teacher and ESL staff in the Nursery Team
*Teaching and implementing Phase 2 oral Phonics
*Maintaining the classroom environment and enhancing the continuous provision areas of learning including the outdoor learning area to support inquiry base and independent learning opportunities.
*Reporting on pupil progress and supporting parent presentations.
*Compiling pupil Learning Journey’s which documents children's progress throughout the year
*Supporting and leading extracurricular activities (gymnastics, swimming, Zumba and Creative Arts for Reception aged children)
*Implementing and leading a bi-weekly Fun Fit Friday within the Early Years as part of a Healthy School’s initiative.
August 2018 - current
Nursery Class Teacher
August 2013-July 2014
Year 2 Class Teacher
August 2012-July 2013
Reception Class Teacher
Green Oasis International School, Shenzhen China
Responsibilities included;
*General teaching and planning using the British National Curriculum
*Liaising with team members
*APP assessing and reporting on pupils
*Compiling and designing the curriculum topics for the Year groups
*Leading an extracurricular activity for 5 – 7 year olds
*Maintaining communication with parents through weekly online tracking sheets, meetings and monthly digital newsletters
September 2009-July 2012
Nursery Class Teacher
Childeric Primary School, London UK
Responsibilities included;
*General teaching in all 6 areas of learning within the EYFS
*Liaising with team members
*Planning using the EYFS documents
*Assessing and reporting on pupils
*Compiling individual Records of Achievement for each pupil
*Supporting the implementation of ‘Every Child a Talker’ within the Nursery
*Setting up and continuing a link between another Nursery School in a rural setting
*Working as part of the Thematic Curriculum Team alongside the Deputy Head to monitor and discuss the new topic approach to learning that the school is following
*Coaching extracurricular High 5 netball once a week to pupils aged 9-11 years.
EDUCATION
BA (hons) Primary Teaching with English Specialism
2:1 BA (Hons.) QTS Lower Primary Teaching with English Specialism
The course covered all aspects of teaching across the primary curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage, including National Curriculum requirements and cross-curricular themes and issues. In my third year I participated in a study abroad programme for a term at Høgskolen i Vestfold, Norway. Special studies on my degree programme included; speaking and listening within RE, Outdoor education and How drama can be used to help improve children’s writing at Key Stage One. Through my final teaching practice, I investigated the influence of drama in assisting with writing activities.
2005-2009
York St John University
2002-2004
Lord Lawson Comprehensive
A Levels
Geography (B) English Literature (C) French (E).
1997-2002
Lord Lawson Comprehensive
GCSEs
10 GCSEs grades A – C 1 GNVQ grade Merit.
INTERESTS
Having participated in volunteer work, studied and worked abroad, the experiences have helped broaden my understanding of, and interest in different cultures. I have also developed an interest in learning foreign languages and make an effort to learn the language of the country I’m living in. I have previously completed a Beginners Spanish language course which was invaluable when traveling solo in Cuba and I am currently learning Arabic.
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From a young age I have always had an interest in dance and fitness. I have supported my own professional development by completing courses and workshops relating to choreographing and musical enhancement. I have completed my Zumba instructor’s license and extended that by completing courses for many of their other programmes including the Zumba kids and Zumba kids Jr courses. This enables me to teach Zumba fitness classes to 4 – 11 year olds. I am also a certified AFAA Group Ex Fitness instructor which ensures that I deliver safe group fitness classes to the participants.
Over the years of teaching in schools I have provided a free weekly Zumba class for colleagues. These weekly Zumba classes were always well received and brought together staff members from all areas of the school. In addition I have worked with both Primary and Secondary groups of students during health weeks, special events, boarding evenings and extracurricular activities to promote healthy and active lifestyles through dance fitness.
I am a keen runner and enjoy running outdoors whilst taking in views of Chicago and Lake Michigan.
SKILLS and STRENGTHS
Classroom and learning environment
Monitoring feedback, 26.1.2017
"A really purposeful and engaging learning environment"
Creative thinker
Licensed Zumba and Zumba Kids Instructor
Knowledge of how to use SMART interactive boards and ICT to enhance learning
Curriculum development
Organisaton and ability to stick to deadlines
CPR and AED trained
Ability to work as a team
PHOTO EXAMPLES (click the photo for a more detailed explanation)
 Sensory playA range of different sized scoops for picking up the lentils and rice. Add tweezers for a sorting activity - can you pick out only the lentils? |  into the woodsOutdoor small world scene and minibeast observers area. |  Class assembly. The Magic Train RideThe children used the Green Screen to make a video for their class assembly, retelling the story of The Magic Train Ride. They learnt how to record sound and voice using the iMovie application. |
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 Chinese New YearCultural celebration events. Chinese New Year. The dragon dance sparked lots of questions and enthusiasm from our little learners. Afterwards children were inspired to create their own dragons, dances and music using a range of tools provided and selected independently. |  Chinese New Year InspirationThe children made their own Chinese Dragon after being inspired by the visiting Chinese New Year performers. They used a range of materials and teamed up to perform their dance. |  Numicon displayNumicon and number display with mark making opportunities, number stories and opportunities for transferring Numicon to practical skills. |
 Practical mathCounting igloo hut linked to Ten Town number topic. Children can use the resource in a range of ways. |  Mark making opportunitiesTopic based and linked mark making opportunities using shaving foam. |  The Gruffalo's Cave RoleplayTopic: Into the Woods. Core Text: The Gruffalo The Gruffalo's cave roleplay and reading area set up in a wood scene. |
 Mirror mirror. Invitation to write.Writing inspiration linked to the Core Text story Snow White and phonic sound and letter writing 'm'. A range of materials were provided for writing with across the week. |  Opportunities for Phonics.Writing opportunities at the snack table. Practising writing the letter 'e' on eggs. |  Inviting book areasOutdoor reading hut. Quiet, inviting spaces for sharing with friends. A range of topic books, Core text and non-fiction text. |
 Understanding the WorldSensory exploration. Children were invited to explore the inside of a pumpkin using their senses. Scoops were provided for them to dig inside the pumpkin. We took the seeds out and dried them then later planted the seeds in the outdoor garden. We also enjoyed roasted pumpkin together. |  Construction areaOutdoor construction area, complete with a range of materials and design drawing section. The layout links to the topic so is set within the castle area for initiating ideas. |  Aliens Love UnderpantsFocus Core Text study around 'Aliens Love Underpants'. The children created their own playdough aliens, made spaceships for them and wrote about their alien's character. They also explored messy play 'Moon Rock'. Opportunities to link the theme was also incorporated into counting with songs such as, '5 Little Men' and 'Zoom, Zoom Zoom' |
 Alien landscapeCreating an alien landscape using a range of materials. Large scale, collaborative artwork. The children then used this landscape to film short animations of their model aliens. Inspiration text; Aliens Love Underpants. |  StickmanStickman inspired learning linked to Mathematical Development - size and ordering. The children also used the sticks to create their own Stickman characters |  Role play core text. Megs vegRole play Vegetable Shop based on the Core Text 'Meg's Veg'. |
 Mark Making displayLearning wall with art and children's writing displayed. It is based on The Jungle Topic and the Core Text, Jazzy in the Jungle. The display includes mini-books made by the children. Before starting the topic we discussed what we knew about jungles already and what we wanted to find out. Some of the pictures feature animals we think live in the jungle. As the topic progresses we can look back at what we learnt. |  The Jungle TopicRanger's Lodge role-play area to support the Topic 'The Jungle'. The role-play area is well resourced and labeled to enable the children to access the equipment independently. Topic vocabulary is displayed and supported with images. There are opportunities for mark making, reading, speaking and listening. |  Playdough enhanced provisionAn invitation to play. Children are invited to create a jungle using broccoli and play dough. This encourages the development of imaginative language and motor skills. |
 The Jungle TopicAn opportunity to retell the story of 'Jazzy in the Jungle' through interactive story props. |  Thai airways visitorsA parent who worked for an airline was invited into the classroom to talk about their role as an air stewardess and keeping people safe. She brought emergency equipment for us all to try. This supported our Topic, 'People Who Help Us'. |  The outdoor mud kitchenAn invitation to play. Colour mixing and spell writing in the Autumn outdoor kitchen. Children could investigate making different concoctions with the colours and leaves. |
 Zumba KidsZumba Kids. It's always better when having fun with friends. |