NICOLA KRZANOWSKI-SMITH
Addingham,West Yorkshire
Summary
Passionate and engaging professional with a background in teaching, drama, and public speaking. Adept at delivering historical and cultural narratives in an engaging manner, with strong communication skills developed through years of working in education, theatre, and customer-facing roles. Experienced in guiding and mentoring students, managing groups, and bringing history to life through storytelling. Enthusiastic about heritage, with a love for sharing knowledge and inspiring others.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher of English & Drama
Parkside School
01.2014 - 01.2020
- Delivered engaging and dynamic lessons, making historical and literary topics accessible and enjoyable for students.
- Developed storytelling techniques to bring subjects to life, fostering curiosity and engagement.
- Led educational trips, including theatre and cultural excursions, ensuring students gained immersive learning experiences.
- Managed and guided groups of students, ensuring their safety and participation in structured activities.
- Used strong public speaking skills to present and explain complex ideas in an engaging manner.
- Adapted content and communication style to suit diverse audiences, ensuring inclusivity and understanding.
- Built meaningful connections with students through interactive discussions and inquiry-based learning.
Head of Year
Hanson School
Bradford
01.2006 - 01.2014
- Delivered engaging and dynamic workshops, using storytelling to make historical and literary topics accessible.
- Led educational trips and events, ensuring immersive and well-organized experiences for students.
- Managed student welfare, behaviour, and engagement, creating a positive and inclusive environment.
- Developed strong public speaking skills, presenting to large groups and adapting communication for different audiences.
- Organised and led assemblies, fostering confidence in delivering structured talks to varied audiences.
- Maintained accurate attendance records and coordinated with students, parents, and staff to improve participation.
- Built meaningful connections, tailoring content to engage individuals with different learning needs and interests.
- Facilitated clear and engaging communication, ensuring clarity and enthusiasm when delivering key information.
- Advocated for student success by providing guidance, support, and referrals to appropriate services.
Learning Mentor
Hanson School
Bradford
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Facilitated engaging workshops and one-on-one mentoring to build confidence and communication skills.
- Organized and led outreach events, connecting students with their community and local heritage.
- Developed and delivered informative sessions, adapting content to different audiences and learning styles.
- Established meaningful relationships to support engagement, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.
- Created and led interactive presentations, making complex topics engaging and easy to understand.
- Coordinated student ambassador programs, fostering leadership and teamwork.
- Planned and hosted career and educational events, ensuring clear communication and structured learning experiences.
Head of Drama & Drama Teacher
Footsteps Theatre School & Westville House Prep
01.1994 - 01.2003
- Designed and delivered drama curricula, preparing students for Guildhall drama examinations
- Organised theatre productions and drama clubs, fostering creativity and teamwork
- Led school trips to theatres and historical sites, enhancing students' appreciation of the arts
Retail Manager
Monsoon Fashions
Leeds
01.1989 - 01.1992
- Managed daily store operations, ensuring excellent customer service and a welcoming environment.
- Trained and led a team, developing strong leadership and communication skills.
- Provided engaging and informative product explanations to customers, enhancing their shopping experience.
- Maintained high standards of presentation and organization to create an inviting atmosphere.
- Adapted communication styles to suit a diverse range of customers, ensuring clarity and engagement.
- Handled cash management, stock control, and visual merchandising to optimize store performance.
- Resolved customer queries and concerns efficiently, demonstrating problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
Flight Supervisor
British Midland Airways
01.1985 - 01.1989
- Managed passenger inquiries and concerns efficiently, ensuring a smooth and pleasant experience, which can translate to managing visitor questions and providing assistance during castle tours.
- Worked under pressure in a fast-paced environment, maintaining professionalism and composure—skills that can be applied to ensuring a seamless and enjoyable tour experience for visitors.
- Provided detailed safety instructions to passengers, showcasing clear communication skills that are valuable when explaining historical facts and safety guidelines to tour groups.
- Developed strong conflict resolution skills, handling various situations with tact and diplomacy, useful for managing any challenges that may arise during tours.
- Adapted communication style to meet the needs of different passengers, a skill that would help in engaging diverse groups of visitors with varying interests during a tour.
- Coordinated with fellow crew members to ensure passenger safety and comfort, demonstrating teamwork and collaboration that can be applied to working with other staff at the castle.
- Maintained a friendly and approachable demeanor throughout flights, building rapport with passengers—essential for creating a welcoming atmosphere for castle visitors.
- Monitored the well-being of passengers, which could translate to ensuring visitors’ comfort and safety during their time on the castle tour.
- Delivered clear and concise announcements, a valuable skill when providing informative commentary and engaging stories during guided tours.
Volunteer
Ilkley Food Bank
01.2020 - Current
- Providing support and assistance to community members in need, demonstrating empathy and strong interpersonal skills that can enhance guest experiences as a castle tour guide.
- Organizing and managing donations, requiring attention to detail and the ability to maintain a structured environment—skills that can be applied to managing visitor flow and tour logistics at the castle.
- Collaborating with team members to ensure efficient operations, a transferable skill for working alongside other staff and volunteers at Skipton Castle.
- Communicating clearly and effectively with people from all walks of life, helping to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere—key for making castle tours engaging and accessible.
- Adapting to diverse needs, providing tailored support to visitors and clients, which can be applied to accommodating different groups during tours.
- Demonstrating reliability and responsibility, ensuring all tasks are completed efficiently—important for maintaining punctual and well-organized castle tours.
- Building rapport with community members and offering assistance, which aligns with fostering positive relationships with visitors, enhancing their overall tour experience.
Volunteer
Addingham Library
01.2020 - Current
- Assisting visitors with inquiries and providing information, ensuring a welcoming and informative experience—skills transferable to engaging with castle visitors and offering historical insights.
- Promoting literacy and learning by recommending books and resources, which can translate to sharing knowledge about the history and culture of Skipton Castle with visitors.
- Organizing and supporting community events, fostering a sense of local engagement, similar to assisting in castle events and enhancing visitor engagement.
- Developing communication skills while interacting with diverse individuals of all ages, enabling effective communication and adaptation of information for different visitor groups on tours.
- Maintaining a friendly and approachable demeanor, which is crucial for guiding visitors through the castle and ensuring they feel comfortable asking questions.
- Managing library resources and ensuring the environment is well-organized, a skill that can be applied to keeping the castle tour route smooth and ensuring safety and efficiency.
- Providing educational support in a library setting, directly translating to educating visitors about the historical significance of Skipton Castle during tours.
Education
High School Diploma -
Bridlington High School For Girls
Bridlington06.1980
Skills
- Historical Interpretation & Storytelling
- Public Speaking & Group Engagement
- Drama & Performance
- Customer Service & Visitor Experience
- Educational Guidance & Mentoring
- Event Planning & Coordination
- Communication & Relationship Building
- Enthusiasm for Heritage & Culture
Timeline
Volunteer
Ilkley Food Bank
01.2020 - Current
Volunteer
Addingham Library
01.2020 - Current
Teacher of English & Drama
Parkside School
01.2014 - 01.2020
Head of Year
Hanson School
01.2006 - 01.2014
Learning Mentor
Hanson School
01.2003 - 01.2006
Head of Drama & Drama Teacher
Footsteps Theatre School & Westville House Prep
01.1994 - 01.2003
Retail Manager
Monsoon Fashions
01.1989 - 01.1992
Flight Supervisor
British Midland Airways
01.1985 - 01.1989
High School Diploma -
Bridlington High School For Girls
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