Keshma Patel
Cape Town
Summary
As Deputy Principal at this esteemed all-girls school in Cape Town, I play a pivotal role in our close-knit community. Staff, students, and parents collaborate to achieve remarkable outcomes in this space. My focus lies in fostering growth and nurturing potential. Through close collaboration with our dedicated staff, I offer support and guidance to ensure each student receives the attention they deserve. My steadfast commitment to advancing girls' education empowers students to excel and embrace their unique strengths. Together with parents, we form a cohesive unit, ensuring that every girl feels valued and supported as she progresses through her educational journey.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Head
St Cyprian’s Preparatory School
04.2021 - Current
- Mentor and support our teachers through regular classroom observations, feedback sessions, and professional development opportunities to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Oversee all academic programs to ensure our curriculum aligns with educational standards and promotes excellence in teaching and learning.
- Regularly monitor and evaluate curriculum implementation to ensure we’re continually improving and meeting our students’ needs.
- Analyze assessment data to track student progress and identify areas where we can enhance the curriculum.
- Encourage innovative teaching practices and technology integration to boost student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Develop and implement initiatives promoting equity and inclusion, ensuring our school community is diverse and welcoming.
- Provide ongoing training and development for staff to enhance their performance and support their professional growth.
- Work closely with teachers to address academic and behavioral concerns, ensuring we holistically support our students.
- Lead our pastoral care initiatives to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone in our school community.
- Guide the Grade 7 leadership committees, mentoring young leaders and organizing programs that help them develop their leadership skills.
- Champion girls’ education by developing programs and initiatives that empower our female students and meet their unique educational needs.
- Advocate for gender equality in education, creating a supportive environment where our girls can excel academically, socially, and personally.
- Coordinate Round Square activities to promote international understanding and personal development among our students.
- Oversee extracurricular activities to encourage student participation and provide enriching experiences beyond the classroom.
- Implement strategies to support our students' emotional and social well-being, understanding the importance of mental health in their educational success.
- Lead initiatives to prepare our students for higher education and career readiness, focusing on STEM and other fields where women are underrepresented.
- Organize workshops, seminars, and guest speaker events to inspire and motivate our female students and encourage them to pursue their ambitions.
- Work collaboratively with parents to address academic and behavioral concerns, ensuring we take a holistic approach to student development.
- Maintain regular communication with parents to inform them about their child’s progress and school activities.
- Engage parents in school events and initiatives to foster a strong school-community relationship.
- Provide resources and support to parents to help them contribute effectively to their child’s educational journey.
- Ensure compliance with educational policies and regulations to maintain high governance and transparency with our parents.
Head of Department for Intermediate & Senior Phase
Micklefield School
07.2014 - 04.2021
- Implement and monitor curriculum delivery in the phase, including developing effective teaching methods, creating and moderating assessments, observing lessons, and driving the adoption of new teaching techniques.
- Conduct yearly appraisal reviews of staff in the phase
- Engage in strategic planning within the phase to ensure continuous improvement.
- Manage the MyStaffroom Reporting System, including rollover, setup, and report reviews.
- Assess, record, and analyze student achievements to inform instructional practices.
- Review and refine teaching techniques to enhance educational outcomes.
- Oversee school timetabling to ensure efficient use of resources.
- Research and initiate new teaching practices to stay at the forefront of educational innovation.
- Collaborated with organizations such as Elevate Education, LifeHouseLearning, HandsonTech - Lego Education, and Digemy.
School Management Team
Micklefield School
01.2015 - 04.2021
- Manage school policies, including writing, reviewing, and updating
- Stay informed about relevant laws and ISASA notifications to ensure effective school operations
- Participate in the recruitment process of new staff members
- Oversee school accreditation processes with Umalusi and WCED
- Serve as the school's IEB representative
- Engage in strategic planning to guide school development
- Manage technology development within the school, including infrastructure and best practices in teaching
- Lead and coordinate professional development programs for teaching staff
- Plan and organize the school calendar
School Board Member
Micklefield School
01.2015 - Current
- Staff elected board member
- Whole school strategy planning.
Transformation & Diversity Committee Member
Micklefield School
01.2017 - 04.2021
- Conduct comprehensive reviews of the curriculum and educational practices within the school.
- Interview and evaluate external facilitators to enhance school programs.
- Engage in strategic planning to drive school initiatives and improvements
- Develop, review, and update school policies to ensure relevance and compliance.
- Completed whole school staff training led by Lovelyn Nwadeyi.
- Stay current with educational readings, policies, and best practices to maintain high standards.
Grade 6 Class Teacher
Micklefield School
01.2014 - 04.2021
- Responsible for the Grade 6 Social Entrepreneurship Project - the aim of the project is for the girls to start a business that raises awareness and funds for a chosen organization in need
- Taught subject matter based on information compiled from textbooks, online sites, and other educational materials.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted all students' emotional well-being and academic growth.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
Grade 7 Maths Teacher
Micklefield School
01.2018 - 04.2021
- Micklefield adopted the Singapore Maths Curriculum
- I taught both the CAPS & Singapore Maths Curriculum
- I have had to adapt both curriculums to ensure our students still perform well in the IEB MATCH exams and be prepared for High School.
Head of Mathematics - Grades 4 -7
Mountain Road Primary School
- Reviewing lesson plans and assessments
- Evaluating progression through the phase
- Lesson observation
- In-depth knowledge of the curriculum.
Grade 7 Class Teacher
Mountain Road Primary School
01.2011 - 07.2014
- Reviewing lesson plans and assessments
- Evaluating progression through the phase
- Lesson observation
- In-depth knowledge of the curriculum.
Grade 4 Class Teacher
Mountain Road Primary School
- Head of Soul Buddyz - I used this platform to coordinate and raise funds to provide a healthy meal for learners.
Grade 4 Head
Mountain Road Primary School
- Reviewing lesson plans and assessments
- Evaluating progression through the phase
- Lesson Observation
- Knowledge of the curriculum.
Education
Masters in Education - School leadership
University of Cape Town
Cape Town BEd Honours - School leadership
University of Cape Town
Cape Town 01.2012
PGCE - Intermediate and Senior Phase
University of Cape Town
Cape Town, WC01.2010
Bachelor of Social Science - English, Public Policy & Religion
University of Cape Town
Cape Town 01.2009
Matric -
Collegiate Girls High School
Port Elizabeth, EC01.2005
Skills
- Leadership: Leading initiatives and guiding committees to foster a positive school environment and drive academic excellence
- Mentorship: Providing support and mentorship to teachers to enhance their professional growth and improve teaching practices
- Curriculum Development: Overseeing curriculum implementation and evaluation to ensure alignment with educational standards and student needs
- Equity and Inclusion: Developing and implementing initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the school community
- Student Support: Supporting student well-being through pastoral care initiatives and implementing strategies to address academic and emotional needs
- Community Engagement: Engaging with parents and the broader community to foster strong relationships and collaboration in supporting student development
- Event Planning and Coordination: Organizing and coordinating various school events, workshops, and seminars to enrich the student experience
- Communication: Maintaining effective communication with staff, students, and parents to keep them informed and involved in school activities and initiatives
References
- Shelley Frayne, Principal of St Cyprian's School, fraynes@stcyprians.co.za, 021 300 6500
- Anthea Jordaan, Principal of St Cyprian's Preparatory School, ajordaan@stcyprians.co.za, 021 300 6500
- Jeannette Welgemoed, Principal Micklefield School, jwelgemoed@micklefield.co.za, 082 495 8984
Timeline
Deputy Head
St Cyprian’s Preparatory School
04.2021 - Current
Grade 7 Maths Teacher
Micklefield School
01.2018 - 04.2021
Transformation & Diversity Committee Member
Micklefield School
01.2017 - 04.2021
School Management Team
Micklefield School
01.2015 - 04.2021
School Board Member
Micklefield School
01.2015 - Current
Head of Department for Intermediate & Senior Phase
Micklefield School
07.2014 - 04.2021
Grade 6 Class Teacher
Micklefield School
01.2014 - 04.2021
Grade 7 Class Teacher
Mountain Road Primary School
01.2011 - 07.2014
Head of Mathematics - Grades 4 -7
Mountain Road Primary School
Grade 4 Class Teacher
Mountain Road Primary School
Grade 4 Head
Mountain Road Primary School
Masters in Education - School leadership
University of Cape Town
BEd Honours - School leadership
University of Cape Town
PGCE - Intermediate and Senior Phase
University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Social Science - English, Public Policy & Religion
University of Cape Town
Matric -
Collegiate Girls High School
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