Kathryn Shaw
Edinburgh
Summary
A passion for horticulture began in community gardening during spare time. I am developing community-building and leading skills at my community library. I am driven to fuse this work experience and strong interest to embrace a professional community gardening role that will be driven by great communication skills, belief in volunteers and passion for community.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Library Adviser
City of Edinburgh Council
Edinburgh
2022.11 - Current
- Created groups and facilitated them for different demographics of the community: chess for children, songs/rhymes for infants and parents, shared reading for adults
- Recommended, issued, shelved and restored books
- Gave advice and help on bus pass applications; directed them to relevant departments
- Helped those with limited digital knowledge to print documents, access forms
Fiddle Teacher
Self/Scots Music Group/Mull Music Makers
Edinburgh
2010.09 - Current
- Adjusted teaching methods according to individual student's needs, ensured inclusive learning environment.
- Fostered strong relationships with students by displaying genuine interest in their personal growth and achievements.
Volunteer Community Gardener
Lochend Secret Garden
Edinburgh
2019.03 - 2022.03
- Helped maintain communal spaces, weeding paths, cleaning polytunnel, helping construct furniture and fix raised beds
- Selected suitable plants according to location and season-optimised growth achieved throughout year.
- Pruned overgrown shrubs, enhancing the garden's overall look.
- Welcomed visitors and helped with seasonal events such as open days and music jams
Survey Supervisor
Traffic Survey Partners/Sustrans
Edinburgh
2015.12 - 2020.03
- Led survey teams to gather comprehensive information about path usage in Edinburgh and Glasgow
- Spoke with the public energetically to build a picture of cycling and walking habits
- Encouraged colleagues respectfully, leading by example
- Created and disseminated work rotas, coordinated rideshares
Education
A-Levels - French, English Literature and History
Sullivan Upper School
Holywood, Ards and North Down 1998.09 - 2000.06
Master of Arts - English Literature
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh 2000.09 - 2004.06
Skills
- Growing vegetables and flowers know-how, beginning at a community garden and presently on an allotment
- Cross-cultural sensitivity, the library welcomes and promotes disparate cultures uniting with specially-themed book displays/treasure hunts and general openness
- Leadership competence, from directing a team of surveyers and teaching music to classes of adults and children, to leading debates on Scottish literature at the library
Affiliations
- Allotment gardening
- Violin
Timeline
Library Adviser
City of Edinburgh Council
2022.11 - Current
Volunteer Community Gardener
Lochend Secret Garden
2019.03 - 2022.03
Survey Supervisor
Traffic Survey Partners/Sustrans
2015.12 - 2020.03
Fiddle Teacher
Self/Scots Music Group/Mull Music Makers
2010.09 - Current
Master of Arts - English Literature
University of Edinburgh
2000.09 - 2004.06
A-Levels - French, English Literature and History
Sullivan Upper School
1998.09 - 2000.06