Rachael Blazewicz-Bell

Role

Rachael Blazewicz-Bell is the Course Leader for the suite of Secondary Education Undergraduate courses as well as a subject tutor on the PGCE Secondary Initial Teacher Training programmes, where she is responsible for the training of and promoting good practice among PGCE Computing and Business trainees. Additionally, she is the module leader for the MA Mentoring and Coaching module as well as the ‘Developing Learning’ module on NTU’s BA Education Studies course. Rachael activity promotes good practice throughout the University in her role as a mentor on the university-based Academic Professional Apprenticeship (APA) course which is aimed to empower every aspect of academic practice for new academics in HE, allowing them to reach their long-term career goals, while also contributing to NTU’s excellence in learning and teaching.

Rachael, who is also a Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Award recipient (2015), is a qualified person-centered psychotherapist with the skills to work with children facing mental health challenges after completing a second MA in this area.

Working alongside colleagues in NTU’s Computing Department, Rachael supports the quality of computing education and co-organises the East Midlands Computing at Schools provisions for primary and secondary teachers. These events enable teachers across the East Midlands to share knowledge and enhance their skills in the KS1 – KS4 computing curriculum.

Finally, Rachael has also launched and published the 'So You Want to Teach Teenagers' podcast, which provides valuable insights into the world of teacher training for ITT trainee teachers who are training to become secondary education teachers, working with adolescents. In each episode, Rachael talks to some of her current ITT trainees who are on the Suite of Secondary Education Undergraduate Courses about their experiences, training stories and what it is like for them as they embark on their secondary teacher training degree and QTS.

Career overview

Prior to working at NTU, Rachael held departmental responsibilities at two inner city schools in Nottingham; The Nottingham Bluecoat School and Trinity Roman Catholic School. Rachael completed her teacher training at NTU in 2003.

External activity

• Member of DfE Education Technology Advisor Group (ETAG) which is aimed at advising and supporting government ministers with how Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) can support personalised learning in education.
• Member of the NCTL and DfE National Curriculum Computing in ITT Expert Group to develop core resources to support Initial Teacher Education (ITE) providers in ensuring that primary and secondary trainees become proficient in teaching the new curriculum and supporting schools with required CPD.
• Member of Computing and Schools and the CAS Network of Excellence.
• BACP member.