In this week's 'A Conversation With... ' we talked to Head of Economics and Politics, Mr Stuart Read. Mr Read has spent most of his working life working abroad before coming back to the UK to teach. In his spare time Mr Read loves watching and supporting his football and cricket teams and would like to get involved in charity work again someday.
What is your role(s) and how long have you been at Shiplake?
I joined in January 2019, so I have recently passed the three-year mark at Shiplake. I am Head of Economics and Politics, oversee the amazing student magazine, The Viking Voice, and I get involved with football and cricket coaching from time to time.
Where were you previously?
Nearly all my previous teaching experience has been abroad: I spent two years in Tunisia, 20 years in South Korea, and one year in the Czech Republic before I came home to England to teach.
What is the best thing about working at Shiplake?
Of course, the students are the best thing - teaching would not be much fun without them. It is also great to be able to make friends among the staff, enjoy the beautiful nature and make fun of the Arsenal fans every time they lose to Liverpool.
What inspired you to become an economics teacher?
I started out as an English teacher and taught English language and literature for many years. I was working at an international start-up school in Incheon, Korea, and when they opened their Sixth Form they approached me about switching from English to economics and business. The rest, as they say, is history (although I've never taught history).
Have you always been a teacher?
I had lots of short-term jobs when I was younger ranging from marketing, legal work, billing, catering, and security work. I worked part-time for several years in charity work and as a church pastor. It was when I first lived abroad in Tunisia that I got my first teaching job, teaching English in a Tunisian accountancy firm. In Korea, I was employed as a visiting professor at a couple of Korean universities and was mainly involved with teacher training. It wasn't until about 16 years into my working life that I first taught in a secondary school.
In your opinion, what is the most interesting element of economics to teach?
Economics comes alive when you see it in the world around you, so the most interesting aspect of the subject is making connections with everyday life. Right now an understanding of economics helps us understand the problem of climate change, Brexit, the cost of living crisis, the sanctions being imposed on Russia, the rise in energy prices, and even whether or not Mo Salah will sign a new contract at Liverpool. It's kind of everywhere!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I used to play a lot of football and cricket - these days I am confined to watching and supporting my teams, but that keeps me going. I have an eclectic taste in music and spend much of my time searching for new and original sounds. I sometimes share the better ones with Mr Olhausen or drag Mr Alcock out to see bands in concert. And eating Jaffa Cakes.
What does the future hold for Mr Read?
Who knows? The world is like an oyster and anything could come from it. I haven't given up on my dream to be in a boy band and I definitely don't feel that my rave days are over. I would like to go back to charity work or something justice related as I get older. In the short-term I will be following Liverpool around Europe and working on plans to ensure the mighty Shiplake 4th XI go unbeaten through the next football season.
