Catherine (aka Catriona) May Macdonald
Edinburgh
Summary
Highly skilled professional with a rich and varied range of experience. Creative, motivated, flexible and enthusiastic, with strong skills in communication, organisation, planning, collaboration and attention to detail.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Lead Teacher
BSC Education
Edinburgh
06.2023 - 06.2026
- Manage daily operations of the BSC Edinburgh College supported remotely by the College Manager, contributing to increasing student numbers.
- Teach a wide range of EFL courses and support the teaching team in the planning, delivery and evaluation of effective classes.
- Contribute to the development of new resources and course materials.
- Support the student experience team especially in the areas of student accommodation and new student induction.
- Oversee the general welfare of students and address safeguarding concerns as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere.
- Liaise with colleagues across all departments of the company.
- Act as an ambassador for the College, speaking with external visitors and agents.
Congregational Support Worker
Newbattle Parish
Midlothian
08.2022 - 06.2023
- Collaborated with others to develop and run a variety of activities promoting support and companionship for those in the local community, e.g. children’s events, a carer and toddler group and an art group.
- Developed links with individuals and groups in the community.
- Contributed to church services and times of spiritual reflection.
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
International House
Edinburgh
06.2022 - 07.2022
- Delivered English language teaching to groups of international teenagers, adapting and tailoring the programme to student need while integrating material on Scottish culture and customs.
- Led trips around Edinburgh and the Highlands, ensuring high standards of health and safety and giving input regarding places of historical or cultural interest.
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
Colegio San Andres
Lima, Peru
02.2011 - 12.2019
- Delivered the English as a Foreign Language programme to primary and secondary pupils, contributing to increasing pupil success rate in Cambridge International Examinations and the subsequent designation of the school as a Cambridge Exam Centre.
- Participated in school assemblies, helped organise inter-house competitions and promoted cultural events to celebrate the distinctive Peruvian-Scottish heritage of the school.
- Acted as guidance teacher offering pastoral care to individual pupils, in liaison with parents and other school support services.
- Supported international short-term volunteers before and during their time in the school, providing orientation and pastoral care.
- Promoted the school’s activities to fund-raisers by writing articles and email updates, creating videos with the school’s communication department and speaking at meetings when in Scotland.
- Boosted student engagement with innovative teaching techniques.
Primary school teacher
Edinburgh / Glasgow City Council
Edinburgh / Glasgow
10.2004 - 12.2010
- Developed professional expertise, flexibility and creativity through teaching in a wide variety of school settings across Edinburgh and Glasgow as a permanent primary school teacher and as a long-term and short-term supply teacher. This included regular primary class teaching as well as PE and ESL support.
- Also worked as a primary teacher Aug 1997- May 1998 and Aug 1989 - Sept 1993.
Joint Team Leader
Operation Mercy
Khiva, Uzbekistan
08.1998 - 10.2003
- Co-led a small international NGO team with responsibility for providing support and mentoring for team members.
- Researched local history and culture to produce an internet guidebook on northern Uzbekistan in order to promote tourism.
- Partnered with a small group of local women in northern Uzbekistan to create and deliver health lessons to women’s village community groups.
- Planned and ran summer camps and activities for local children aided by international volunteers, leading to progressively greater integration of children with special needs in mainstream schools.
- Disseminated information regarding projects among partners by writing and editing stories for paper and online use in line with international communication policy.
Education
Returning to Teaching Course - Certificate
Edinburgh University
01.2020 - 05.2020
MTh - Theology
Edinburgh Theological Seminary
09.2020 - 10.2021
BA - Theology
Glasgow Bible College
Glasgow 10.1993 - 06.1997
TEFL Certificate - Education
Basil Paterson College
Edinburgh 07.1998 - 07.1998
BEd - Primary Teaching
Moray House College of Education
Edinburgh 10.1984 - 09.1988
Skills
- Clear communication
- Team collaboration
- Creative problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Organizational skills
- Interpersonal abilities
- Competent IT skills
Timeline
Lead Teacher
BSC Education
06.2023 - 06.2026
Congregational Support Worker
Newbattle Parish
08.2022 - 06.2023
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
International House
06.2022 - 07.2022
MTh - Theology
Edinburgh Theological Seminary
09.2020 - 10.2021
Returning to Teaching Course - Certificate
Edinburgh University
01.2020 - 05.2020
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language
Colegio San Andres
02.2011 - 12.2019
Primary school teacher
Edinburgh / Glasgow City Council
10.2004 - 12.2010
Joint Team Leader
Operation Mercy
08.1998 - 10.2003
TEFL Certificate - Education
Basil Paterson College
07.1998 - 07.1998
BA - Theology
Glasgow Bible College
10.1993 - 06.1997
BEd - Primary Teaching
Moray House College of Education
10.1984 - 09.1988