About me
I was born Angelika Schmidt in Vienna in 1951 where I lived and worked until I moved to the UK in 1988. I married Keith Howard, a technical journalist, in 1989.
At Vienna University I studied English and American Studies, History and Pedagogy before teaching English and History in a Viennese secondary school. When I came to England I reversed these roles and taught German in a variety of independent and state schools in England, eventually becoming Head of German at the Norton Knatchbull School, a boys grammar school in Ashford, Kent. While teaching German in the UK I obtained a degree in Psychology from the Open University and now teach this subject as well. I embarked on a most enjoyable training course in 2005 at The Institute of Arts in Therapy and Education, to become a “therapeutic counsellor for adolescents using the arts”. This has enriched my life and work with children enormously.
Currently I am a retired teacher but teach German IB classes at the Norton Knatchbull School and work as a school counsellor.
I have always been interested in understanding and improving the relationship between pupils and teachers and have found this to be the basis of positive learning experience. During my 34-year career I have observed that unhappy people neither teach well nor find learning enjoyable. I have also met many unhappy children and have come to understand that the legal term “in loco parentis” (in place of parents or a parent) really does mean just that. For some children school is the only safe place to be, a place where they have positive life experiences and where the teacher frequently assumes the role almost of a single parent, however unknowingly. For this reason the psychological aspects of teaching and learning have always been central to my work.
I am also committed to, and passionate about, art appreciation and art making, and although I am not formally trained in them, the arts have been long been a highly significant part of my life. I paint and draw at home in Lydd, on Kent’s Romney Marsh, and in my studio in Rye: at “The School” a creative centre. Most of my work is abstract, much of it making bold use of bright colours, because strong colours move people.
First and foremost my art is personal expression which gives me the freedom to create from my inner Self without rules enjoying the process. I am convinced that the power of art can change people’s lives and that image and visual metaphor communicate on a deeper level than words. I have been training at the Institute of Arts in Therapy and Education in order to enable me to put my personal fulfilment and passion for the creative process to constructive use in society.
I work in a variety of styles on various surfaces and in mixed media and currently take fine-art teaching and advice from David Crew, an artist living in Rye. In every school I have ever worked in I have always been drawn to the its Art department, from which I have learned.
My other passion is healthy good food. I am a keen gardener and try to grow my own vegetables. I love nature and the environment.
Qualifications
- Certificate – The Therapeutic and Educational Application of the Arts (January 2009 – IATE)
- Certificate – Therapeutic Counselling for Adolescents (December 2008 – IATE)
- Certificate – Counselling Skills (April 2007 – IATE)
- Certificate RELATE Peer Listening Training Programme – support worker (October 2006 – RELATE)
- Certificate – Foundation in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy (2005/2006 – IATE)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (2001-Open University)
- Certificate in professional Studies in Education, Careers Work (2000 – Canterbury Christ Church University College)
- Qualified teacher Status in the UK – 1990
- Teacher Training course for Rudolf Steiner Schools which has a holistic and integrative approach for children with all abilities (no diploma awarded as it was voluntary)
- Magister der Philosophie in English and American Studies, History, Pedagogy. Vienna University – 1985 (equivalent to MA) specialised in Psycholinguistics and Social History.