The international school educator
This is a teaching, leadership and creative arts portfolio together with resources that I have built and acquired over the years. I have experience teaching theatre studies and literature, as as well as managing student well-being. The resources are accessible to educators for free.
Who is Shem Agunga?
I am an educator with over 17 years of experience in teaching Drama, Theatre Studies, and English Language and Literature across international schools in Kenya, Japan, Ethiopia, and Thailand. I specialize in the IB DP, IGCSE, and MYP curricula, and I am passionate about guiding students through 21st-century education with a focus on creativity, well-being, and academic excellence.
Throughout my career, I have taken on various leadership roles, including Assistant Head of School and Head of Pastoral, where I developed and implemented key programs to support student well-being and learning. I currently teach Drama and English at an International school in Bangkok, where I’m also actively involved in extracurricular productions and pastoral care for Grade 9 students.
My teaching philosophy is rooted in using drama and literature to foster critical thinking, empathy, and self-expression. I have a deep love for theatre and have directed numerous school musicals and plays. I'm also currently building a pool of resources to support Drama and Literature education, helping students and teachers alike access quality materials for creative learning.
In addition to my teaching and leadership roles, I am pursuing an MA in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor's in Education (English & Literature), and I regularly engage in professional development, including IB examiner training and child protection courses. I'm also working on personal projects such as a novel, a poetry collection, and a documentary focusing on education in remote areas of Kenya.
My key areas of interest in literature studies, theatre studies, and student well-being:
Literature Studies:
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Literary Analysis – Exploring themes and devices.
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IB Examining – Assessing DP Literature.
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Curriculum Development – Designing English/Literature courses.
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Creative Writing – Mentoring poetry and fiction.
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Extended Essay Supervision – Guiding literary research.
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Drama as a Tool – Enhancing language learning.
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Customized Lessons – Tailoring literature classes.
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Cultural Literacy – Promoting diverse traditions.
Theatre Studies:
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Directing – Leading musicals and plays.
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Production Design – Managing set and lighting.
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Performance Coaching – Mentoring acting skills.
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IB DP Theatre & IGCSE Drama – Preparing for assessments.
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Scriptwriting – Creating original plays.
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International Theatre – Integrating global practices.
Student Well-Being:
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Pastoral Leadership – Leading well-being programs.
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Child Safeguarding – Implementing protection policies.
