In our first 'A Conversation With... ' of this half term we speak to physics teacher Dr Christel Rousseau who joined Shiplake in 2019. Before joining Shiplake, Dr Rousseau taught physics in the Caribbean! Dr Rousseau is looking forward to getting back into face to face teaching and to visiting her family in France once restrictions are lifted.
How long have you been at Shiplake and what is your role(s)?
I joined Shiplake at the end of November 2019 to take up the position of physics teacher. This academic year, on top of physics, my role has expanded to the Maths Department where I teach Lower School pupils.
Where were you previously?
Before joining Shiplake College, I taught physics at the University of The Bahamas. Previous to that, I worked as a laser engineer, designing lasers for medical and military applications.
What is the best thing about Shiplake?
The best thing and the first thing that I noticed when I started at Shiplake is the sense of community. The support from everyone (staff, pupils) at the start was amazing and still is.
What sparked your passion for physics and what inspired you to become a teacher?
When I was very young, I was always interested in how things work. When I was in Year 7 and 8, physics made more sense to me than the French language (and I am French)!
I had fallen into teaching while I was living aboard in the Caribbean. The College of The Bahamas was becoming The University of The Bahamas at that time and the campus was being expanded. I decided I would give it a go and caught the teaching bug from there. I came back to the UK and knew exactly what I wanted to do.
How have you found teaching the subject remotely?
Physics is a tough subject to teach online. The best way for pupils to understand a concept is to be able to visualise it by doing experiments. So you have to adapt and use the huge amount of online resources made available since the first lockdown by other teachers, libraries and institutions.
What are you looking forward to most when we are all back on site from 8 March?
First of all, seeing people and having a proper conversation which isn't online. Secondly, teaching physics in the classroom with props.
What is the first thing you are going to do when hopefully restrictions are lifted more fully in the summer?
Book a flight to visit my parents in the south of France and cherish the moments with them and my family.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Listening to all types of music and discovering new music. Keeping fit and, of course, cooking.
What does the future hold for Dr Rousseau?
Professionally, to carry on teaching physics (which I love). Personally, to enjoy every single moment that life offers to me and of course getting myself back into a rowing boat and enjoy the river.
