Teachers In the Spotlight: Matthew Smith

 1  Where are you from and where did you grow up?

I am what is colloquially known as an “army brat”, meaning I’m the child of a member of the British military. My father was a mid-high level officer in the British army and so I moved around quite a bit during my childhood. in the 1980’s I spent the first 6 years of my life in Germany living on military bases in Berlin and Gütersloh. I then spent the next 20 years moving around the UK, eventually ending up in Paisley in Scotland. Almost all of my important memories have occurred in Scotland, such as High school, university, first love, first heartbreak, etc, so if you ask where I am from, I usually reply with “Scotland”.

 2  Tell us about your Educational background + teaching experience

I have always enjoyed education, either receiving it or facilitating it. My biggest passion was (and is) science. Especially Biology and Chemistry. I was better at chemistry in High school, but I absolutely loved biology. It was fascinating to me how life worked and my high school biology teacher was the best teacher I had the pleasure of learning from. It was because of him that made me decide to study Microbiology at Glasgow university. After I completed my undergraduate degree, I went to the University of Strathclyde to perform research and gain my Masters in Research. After that, I completed my PGDE in Biology and Science at the same university which enabled me to teach in schools in Scotland. Perhaps in the future, when I have the time and the money, I would love to do a PhD in educational leadership and earn the title of “Dr.”

In terms of being an actual teacher, I have taught now for over 11 years in the UK, United Arab Emirates, and China. Within China, I have taught in Nanjing at NFLS, and here in Suzhou for DHSZ.

 3  When did you realize you wanted to become a teacher?

During my Masters at Strathclyde, I tutored the undergraduate students in microbiology. At the time, they said that I was very good at taking complex ideas and explaining them in a simpler way that allowed them to understand the content.

It seems my fate was to become a teacher as, when I wanted to apply for the course, it was too late in the year and I would have to wait. However, my professor at the time was good friends with the director of the PGDE course, who mentioned they had some spare spaces available and so I was offered one, which I took without hesitation.

 4  Who is your biggest role model?

In an education context, I will always think back to my first school’s headteacher. He was someone who took the wellbeing and education of his students to heart. He came in at the weekends to do extra lessons for willing students, and was the first person I heard say “Students come first”. Which has been my mantra to this day?

In the context of everyday life, my dad has always been my role model. My dad has always been tough but fair and has been my true-north when it comes to good behaviour and how to treat my fellow humans. He once said to me “treat others how you would want them to treat you” and that piece of advice has been with me all my life.

 5  What are your hobbies and what do you enjoy most about them?

When I have time, I have always been a fan of gaming…whether it’s on a computer or a board game. My favourite game to play would be Warhammer. You assemble and paint the pieces which you then use in a battle game of skill and luck…The only downside is that a normal game would take about 4 hours to set up and play. It’s very much a fantasy-based game as I have armies for the Ogres, Lizardmen, Wood Elves, and the Dwarves.

My new favourite past time is health and exercise. I weighed 99kg in January and decided to do something about it before I hit 100. I took up running, and now I enjoy trail running which involves running on the road as well as up and down hills/mountains. I ran my first half-marathon with Mr Crozier in the middle of August which was hot and difficult, but we managed to push through and complete it in good time. I have about 4 big runs planned out before the end of 2020. I still weigh 94kg, but I have lost 12% body fat, which is great!

 6  What is most rewarding about your job?

Probably very cliché, but knowing I am making a positive difference, both to students and staff. I believe that if you wake up dreading your job, you should probably move on. I still look forward to coming in and seeing everyone and making a difference. I was so pleased to hear one of my students was accepted into Cambridge to study Biology this year. I can’t help but think that I had a hand in that possibility and that makes me happy too.

 7 .If you could be in any musical or movie or a book character what would it be? Why?

As a child, I always wanted to be in science fiction films or TV shows like Star Trek. The idea of “exploring strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before”, was fascinating to me. As the old saying goes: Born too late to explore the earth, born too early to explore the galaxy.

 8  What food is like a guilty pleasure to you?

There is a shop in Aeon Mall called “Daddy Sweety Toast” that does really nice bread….. they have a nougat that has raisins and biscuit pieces in it that I could literally eat boxes of….Mmmmm

 9  Describe yourself in 3 words.

Honest, reliable, and excitable.

 10  Tell us about your experiences living in China and Suzhou

I am in my 7th year in China. I spent the first 3 years in Nanjing. I found Nanjing to be very busy with lots to do in and around the city. It was not very common to see other non-Chinese people there so I truly felt like I was in a different country there. I really like Nanjing and I am sure I will eventually move back there one day as my wife is a Nanjing-ren (南京人)and she will want to go back one day I’m sure.

The time I’ve spent in Suzhou is very different. It doesn’t feel as crowded and there is a higher number of ex-pats that it does feel international as a city, although going into Suzhou old town does feel more familiar with Nanjing with the older style buildings and parks.

There is so much to do in China and so little time, I have a giant list of places I want to visit and things to do that seems to get longer every week.

 11  How do you find teaching Chinese students/or students?

I have taught students from a variety of backgrounds and each culture is very different. The Chinese culture of attitude towards teachers and education is one of my favourites. It is nice to feel valued as a teacher and being able to work on the learning & teaching-side of education, rather than having to manage the classroom constantly…. Basically, Chinese students are very well behaved!

 12  Any advice to students at Dulwich International High School Suzhou?

Enjoy these years as you will never see them again once you leave High school. Make good memories and have good times.

 13  Favourite: Book, Movie, Game? Why?

There is a trilogy of books called “The Night Angel” series. The Night Angel Trilogy is a fantasy series written by Brent Weeks. The story follows the life of a young boy called Azoth as he struggles as a guild rat to become the ultimate wet boy (an assassin with magical talents, such as the ability to muffle sound or to block an attack), but then tries to leave it all behind and finally becomes the avatar of retribution: the Night Angel.

It’s a very well written trilogy that I have read about 4 times now.

 14  What are your plans for the next 5 years

I’m a father, so my plans revolve around ensuring my son has the best education and childhood I can provide for him.  I’ll also try and run a few more races, visit more of China, and continue to be a better teacher in that time!