Dr. Patricia Shea, High School Personal Counsellor

I grew up in Branford, Connecticut USA and have lived in Boston, Massachusetts and Richmond, Virginia. My first international experience was teaching English to adults in Osaka, Japan. After that, I worked as a special education teacher in Chesterfield County, Virginia for seven years, as well as teaching ESL to adults part-time. In Virginia I also achieved National Board Certification (NBPTS) as an Exceptional Needs Specialist (Early Childhood through Young Adulthood). In 2004 I arrived at ACS Cobham High School as a resource teacher and have been the high school personal counsellor since 2007. I have earned university degrees in psychology, history and social studies education, ESL education and special needs. For my doctoral degree in education my dissertation focused on the importance of school, family and community partnerships. Recently I completed a certificate program in Counselling Skills with Children: Using the Arts at the Child Centre for Mental Health in London.
 
What I like most about my role as high school personal counsellor is the opportunity to meet and get to know as many of the high school students as possible while supporting the transition of new students in the school. I work closely with the Student Ambassadors and they never cease to amaze me with their enthusiastic efforts to make ACS a wonderful school for everyone.

When I am not at school I enjoy traveling to new destinations, with the goal of visiting at least one new country each year. At home I like to try out exotic recipes from around the world.  My passion for theatre makes London an ideal location in which to live, with the world-class entertainment that is available.