Acknowledgements & Dedications
Now that I have completed my dissertation and received my passing result, I am happy to share this with the world.
This is a pre-written section that is not currently part of my official Masters Dissertation submission
Firstly, I would like to state that these have been the longest and busiest 3 years of my life and career. From starting this course during COVID lockdowns to changing job and school partway through and to having to retake a full year just to get things perfect. Knowing all of this beforehand would have probably put me off doing this course but I must admit this has allowed me to grow and develop my practice and relationships with those who matter the most. I would like to thank the my friends and support tutors for their ongoing and unconditional support throughout my masters journey:
A special thank you goes to Keziah, Keith, Emma and the amazing team at my school for providing me with a warm welcome and the incredible support and guidance I needed to become a committed and confident teacher and head of department. Thank you also for reigniting the flame within me which drives my passion for teaching.
Secondly, I would like to thank those who have been with me throughout the studies. Linda has played a massive role in my Masters journey. She has always made sure that me disabilities do not prevent me from studying and end up with incomplete or substandard work. Her incredible emotional intelligence picks up on when I am not feeling great and she has on multiple occasions diverted my focus or re-directed me a different task what I would be able to complete in a large variety of mindsets. Without Linda, and her drive to get the best out of everyone, I would not be in a position to say I completed a Masters level degree and be confident that I earned the qualification. Candida joined my journey towards the last few months of the dissertation yet it has felt like she had always been part of the journey; the study skills and techniques I discussed, practiced and trialled with her guidance not only helped me focus and progress, but are now a vital toolkit for the students I teach in schools.
Thirdly, yes thirdly, I want to thank the two wonderful Neurodivergence Coaches I have worked with over the past 2 years. Laura and Julie have worked on the work side of things making sure I am not overwhelmed with live, the universe and everything within it. Laura has watched me go into a new, much bigger role in a new environment and watched as I didn't crash and burn. Much to the surprise and amazement of me! Undertsanding the neruodiverse needs I have as my career and teaching practice develops and flourish to become what BCU originally told me I would be come back in 2018; Committed, Creative, Confident. Laura has allowed me to be more confident in my work and understand how and why I think things in a certain way. Our sessions have allowed me to implement a number of coping strategies to bring me down from times where I am experiencing a high amount of anxiety and stress and she has always been able to be the voice of reasoning so I can respond to the more challenging areas of my work. I would not have been able to complete my Masters studies as well as be able to apply for promotion in my area of expertise without Laura's help, support and guidance.
Finally, I want to dedicate this dissertation my my partner, Lyall. Thank you for being my rock through my studies and somehow being the sane one out of the two of us.
The Migration Process
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
Clearing the Clutter: A Digital and Personal Reset
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
Marking the Milestone: Mastering the Computing Measure
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.