Olivia Dear
Olivia and Sarah, both secondary school science teachers, have spent the last two years as Core Lecturers in School Behaviour and Culture at Academica University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam. Their role involves synthesising academic literature on school behaviour, blending it with hands-on teaching experience, and distilling practical guidance to schools nationwide. They have designed a one-year change programme where they deliver training sessions and conduct school visits, aiming to enhance school culture and behaviour.
Prior to Academica, Olivia and Sarah spent a combined total of 15 years in various leadership positions at the successful Michaela Community School in London, where Olivia was a founding member of staff. Olivia began teaching in a large inner-city secondary school where she picked up classroom management skills through trial and error. Sarah, on the other hand, began her teaching career at Michaela Community School, where she benefitted from a meticulously crafted training programme. Together, they possess a comprehensive understanding of current behavioural challenges and effective strategies applicable to teachers across various school types.