Opogo Blog | Simi Rai

Over 5 years of experience in educational settings throughout London, Madrid and Barcelona. Whilst studying English Literature and Language at King’s College London and the University of North Carolina, she fell in love with her subject - both the study of literature and craft of writing. After graduating, she completed the Leadership Development Programme with Teach First, whose mission is to provide equality through education, and attained her PGCE in Secondary English at Canterbury Christ Church University. She was then appointed as Deputy Head of English at one of the highest performing schools in England in a London inner-city academy. Following this, she completed her Leadership and Management MA at University College London (Institute of Education) and became the director of an English Language company based in Barcelona. Simi is our English Literature and Language Expert.

Teacher development

interview letters (1)

Monday, 10 June 2019

Tips for handling an Ofsted inspection

Student behaviour

heart book-1

Wednesday, 29 May 2019

How can we teach students about empathy?

Classroom success

ironing -2

Friday, 24 May 2019

5 ways to improve your classroom space and productivity

Classroom success

scrabble baord

Sunday, 19 May 2019

How to improve student vocabulary

building blocks

Wednesday, 1 May 2019

5 tips for valuing your staff

Student behaviour

time clocks-1

Monday, 22 April 2019

Could rewarding 100% attendance be damaging?

Teacher development

bulb light-2

Sunday, 14 April 2019

Avoid these 5 common errors in your job applications

Teacher development

to do marking-1

Thursday, 4 April 2019

6 marking workload tips for educators

Teacher development

poetry-1

Thursday, 21 March 2019

5 ways to teach poetry in the classroom

Comic Relief

Thursday, 7 March 2019

10 fun ways to raise money for Red Nose Day in school

Teacher development

questions-1

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

Effective classroom language: do’s and don’ts

Classroom success

calm-1

Friday, 1 March 2019

10 great ideas for your classroom ‘calm-down’ kit

Teacher development

organisation

Saturday, 23 February 2019

Life hacks for getting organised

Teacher development

NQT 1-1

Thursday, 14 February 2019

What I wish I knew about teaching English as a new teacher

Teacher development

Leadership blackbaord-1

Wednesday, 6 February 2019

The Language of Leadership

Student behaviour

Monday, 28 January 2019

How to set up norms for independent learning

Teacher development

Tuesday, 22 January 2019

Best tricks to keep busy teachers organised

Teacher development

resumes-1

Sunday, 20 January 2019

How to make your teacher resume stand out

Teacher development

Success typewriter

Sunday, 13 January 2019

5 Cover Letter Writing Tips for Teachers

Teacher development

red flying arrow-1

Monday, 24 December 2018

Mentoring your Mentee effectively

books and cup

Saturday, 15 December 2018

5 ways to motivate reluctant readers

Teacher development

Untitled design (22)

Monday, 3 December 2018

Top tips for marking success!

travel abroad-1

Friday, 30 November 2018

Thinking about teaching abroad? What you need to know!

Teacher development

teacher training

Saturday, 24 November 2018

Taking the Middle Leadership Leap

happy students reading-1

Saturday, 17 November 2018

The importance of depth not breadth

discussion

Sunday, 11 November 2018

How to effectively use assessment in and out of the classroom

Teacher development

student writing

Wednesday, 7 November 2018

How to teach your pupils to plan a successful essay

shakespeare-1

Monday, 22 October 2018

Teaching Shakespeare in KS3

Teacher development

teacher folder

Friday, 19 October 2018

Minimalist planning – less is more!

Teacher development

Teacher smiling in class

Tuesday, 2 October 2018

5 ways to be an efficient teacher

Teacher development

Marking

Friday, 28 September 2018

How to become an Expert Examiner in English

#developmenttuesday

wavy library

Tuesday, 18 September 2018

How to brush up on your subject knowledge

Teacher development

students talking at desks

Thursday, 13 September 2018

How to build a rapport with your pupils

#inspirationmonday

black glasses

Monday, 3 September 2018

7 Back to School Teacher Hacks

Teacher development

students crowded reading

Tuesday, 21 August 2018

5 steps for successful mixed-ability teaching

wellnesswednesday

teacher stress

Wednesday, 8 August 2018

5 Strategies to prevent teacher burnout