Maira took a degree in Psychology at the University of Aberdeen. During her time there, she did additional work with teenagers preparing for their (I)GCSEs and Common Entrance Exams, and discovered her true passion for teaching and tutoring. While studying Psychology, she received a scholarship from The Developing Scientist Fund as the best applicant of her year, which allowed her to work on a paid research project during the summer of 2020 and apply this to her tutoring. Coming from an international background, she is fluent in Spanish, French, and Italian alongside English. This multilingualism enabled her to work as a translator and copywriter for several years before fully dedicating herself to teaching

On becoming a teacher:

As someone who has lived in many countries, I understand the challenges of proving one’s value and knowledge in a new and unfamiliar environment. This experience inspired me to become a teacher, driven by the opportunity to motivate young students to believe in themselves and prioritize their passions and dreams. What I love most about teaching is the opportunity to inspire students, share my passion for literature, and support them throughout their learning journey.

Other interests that reflect on my personality as a teacher:

I have always loved reading and writing! Ever since I was a child, my favourite part of the day was opening a book and immersing myself in its story. Writing, to me, is the ultimate art form, and I strive to share this passion with my students—whether we’re analysing a book or poem or practising essay writing. My degree in Psychology has further enhanced my ability to connect with people, a skill that is fundamental for any teacher who is deeply passionate about their work, as I am.

A person I find inspirational and why:

Ágota Kristóf. Born in Hungary in the 1930s, she fled her homeland in 1958 after the Hungarian anti-communist revolution was brutally suppressed by the Soviet military. As a full-time working mother living in Switzerland, she accomplished the extraordinary feat of writing entire books in French—a language she had to learn from scratch. Her remarkable journey and literary achievements make her a symbol of resilience, talent, and unwavering determination.

Also, Annie Ernaux, the 2024 Nobel Prize winner for Literature and a former teacher, is someone I deeply admire. I particularly appreciate the autobiographical nature of her works and her narrative voice, which authentically reflects the experiences of girls and women from all over the world. Her writing also delves into themes of nostalgia, forgiveness, and injustice, making her stories both poignant and thought-provoking.

Top tip to younger self:

I would tell my younger self, “No matter what you do in life, as long as you are passionate about it, that is what makes all the difference.”