Emma is one of our teachers delivering the new pioneer IB course - the Systems
Transformation Pathway: Leadership for Just Futures, with a specific responsibility for the
Energy impact area.

“I’m from London originally, but have also lived in the Canaries and then Swansea in South
Wales. What drew me to UWC Atlantic was the ethos, the focus on sustainability, and the
diversity of the school.

I’ve been at UWC Atlantic for 5 years, before that I worked in the state school sector for over 20
years.

I have been teaching Geography for most of my career and I am as passionate about the
subject today as I was at the start. The subject is dynamic and always changing. I love the fact I
can walk through a city or hike up a mountain and I can apply geographical theory to it. I look at
everything through that lens, it maintains my curiosity about the subject.

Alongside teaching Geography, I also teach on the new pioneer course Systems
Transformation Pathway: Leadership for Just Futures, with a specific responsibility for the
Energy impact area.

Our education system has not altered in essence for decades and this new course takes into
account the changing demands and polycrises of our world. Students develop their
interdisciplinary research skills, learn how to approach complex problems and systems from a
range of perspectives, work collaboratively, and develop problem-solving and decision-making
skills. They develop networking skills (which are so fundamental in today’s world) with a range
of intergenerational experts from universities, alumni and organisations.

What sets this course apart is that it is non-exam-based and explores action-oriented
approaches. What can our learners do to make that transformative change to complex
systems? Not just evaluating solutions that are already in place but actually doing something
themselves. To acknowledge that as individuals, they might not have much power but working
together collaboratively and through reaching out to a range of stakeholders, real transformative
change can happen.

The pioneer cohort of 24 students have been absolutely amazing. Their diversity, their
experiences, their perceptions and enthusiasm have made our sessions so interesting and I like
the fact that I am frequently challenging and questioning my own beliefs and perceptions due to
their contributions.

My hope for the Systems Transformation Pathway is for it to be taught in other schools and to
be spread as widely as possible. My hope for the students is that they are equipped to go out in
the world and change systems, take good action and have that optimism that they can make the change. With what’s happening in the world right now, at times people can feel hopeless but I
want our students to feel empowered that they can make a real difference.