Renee Springer

Right after my final exams, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study. I was good at physics, chemistry and mathematics and chose Applied Physics. I soon discovered that mathematics suited me and physics much less. Research did not appeal to me, but teaching did. I switched to Applied Mathematics and at the same time started teaching mathematics. After obtaining my master’s degree in Science Education, I continued to do this work with great enthusiasm.
Besides teaching, in all the years I have been working I started initiatives to better streamline the work in order to reduce the workload of my colleagues and at the same time increase the quality of education. I applied for the Marina van Damme Scholarship because, after 17 years of working in education, I was ready for the next step towards (middle) management. This way I can make a difference for many more people. I used the scholarship to follow the “Basisbekwaam Schoolleider” course and the module Developmental Leadership.
In the meantime, thanks to the scholarship, I have been working as an upper school department leader at a large comprehensive school for 4 years now and every day I can do what I wanted to do: be meaningful for many teachers and students. My days are busy, hectic, never the same, but always meaningful. Right now, I have my dream job. But… sitting still has never been my thing, so who knows where I’ll end up.