I grew up in Ipswich, Suffolk in the UK and attended my local secondary school and then another local sixth form. I went on to study Photography at university and then completed my PGCE to become a secondary school teacher.
I am passionate about providing all students with the best learning opportunities available. Developing teaching and learning through innovative ideas and developments in technology underpins my teaching skills.
Since beginning teaching, I have achieved various additional qualifications to enhance my teaching practice such as the BCS Certificate in Computer Science Teaching and becoming a Raspberry Pi Certified Educator. I have also worked to become a Google Certified Educator, Trainer and Innovator.
As well as Computer Science, I have a love for robotics and engineering. I run several clubs and programmes (trying to encourage girls in particular) for students including First Lego League and First Tech Challenge as well as others. I am also a First Lego League Host, organising and running the Suffolk Regional Tournament for local teams and schools to attend.
I am a strong believer in giving students ownership of their learning and in turn giving them opportunities for leadership within schools. Within my own school, there was a culture of staff asking Computing teachers for help with basic IT skills. Over time I set up our Innovative Digital Leaders programme to change the culture and give students an opportunity for leadership. We also now run a similar ‘Esafety Champion’ scheme where students mentor others and visit primary feeder schools to deliver workshops.
My next challenges are working on building a dedicated STEM lab within a disused space in school and separately launching a new bespoke alternative curriculum for a small number of year 10 students not accessing mainstream lessons.
My ongoing commitment to extra-curricular activities within my own school has provided me with experience in working closely with small groups of students of all abilities, engaging their interest and giving them opportunities to thrive and take pride in their learning.
Cheryl Schmidt, Assistant Headteacher wrote the following:
"Before Dru's appointment at East Bergholt High School there were no extra-curricular STEM activities offered to students aside from occasional one-off projects and these were mainly design and technology based. Through her skills in both ICT and Art, Dru has managed to offer our students a wide selection of creative extra-curricular opportunities that combine a number of STEM skills. As a result, these appeal to a wide selection of students. Some of the opportunities that she offers include: First Lego League, First Tech Challenge Robotics, Digital Leaders, Raspberry Pi, catch up lessons for students studying for Computer Science/iMedia qualifications, Python, Scratch, Anglian Water Eco-Schools, film making a local community project (Capel St Mary War Memorial Group), technical engineering in sound and lighting, and I am sure that there are some that I have forgotten! It is important to note that all of these take place in Dru's own time, either during her lunch break or after school following a full day's teaching and, nothing will prise her away from them! She imparts her STEM knowledge and enthusiasm on to her students through a sheer love for it.
Prior to Dru becoming a STEM Ambassador our school did not have any input of contact with stem.org. The certificates that we have received through Dru's work with the organisation over the years are now proudly displayed on our School Achievements and Recognition board and we regularly publicise Dru's work as a STEM Ambassador through our school newsletter and social media. Our students know that Miss Watts is a STEM expert and students (and their parents) feel comfortable in discussing career options with her as they know that her knowledge is varied and up to date. The most significant impact to the culture of our workplace has been in Dru's input on staff training (CPD). Since Dru began contributing to staff training, Computing and ICT training has now become ingrained in our staff training sessions. All have been well attended and our staff are growing in confidence with their use of ICT in the classroom. Her input has definitely helped to positively change the ethos of CPD at our school.
Dru has inspired several students to continue their education (and begin careers) in STEM subjects. Some noteable examples are: H, a girl who took full advantage of Dru's STEM clubs and is about to embark upon a Computer Science degree, J who was so inspired by her Rasperry Pi teaching that he persuaded his parents to buy him one and now youtubes his programming and M who, so inspired by Dru's Lego clubs, recently reached the final auditions of Lego Masters with her! Feedback from First Lego League impact reasearch showed that 100% of our student participants felt that they had improved their STEM skills and knowledge, compared to 77% of participants overall as well as 100% of our students reporting that they felt they had learned more about STEM jobs and careers compared to 53% of participants overall. Our governing body recognise the impact that Dru's work has on the ethos of the school as a whole with our chair of governors commending Dru after our last open evening for the work that she had done in presenting STEM to prospective students in our computing department. In his own words, 'Computing was THE place to be.'
A hundred words is not enough to sum Dru up! She is also a heavy metal fan, a Whovian and, Lego superfan - her pastoral support of students is superb - it helps that they see someone in her who is not afraid to be themselves and can relate to her interests and enthusiasms in their own. When she is not advocating her love of STEM Dru also co-ordinates our charity fundraising for Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day and Children in Need which, under her co-ordination, has raised thousands of pounds for both causes over the years. "