Teacher Profile: Tim Costello

Year(s) and Subject(s) Taught

5 Years of Music Teaching and HoD at Nexus.

How long have you been teaching?

23 years.

What do you do in your free time?

Diving, sailing, traveling, socialising, music making, hiking.

Why did you become a teacher? Why did you choose teaching as a profession?

Both my parents were teacher and I knew it was what I wanted to do from a young age. I also wanted to be in a professional career and also loved the long holidays which would work well with my family school holidays. I did my degree at Dartington College of Arts in Devon, England and my PGCE in Sussex University in Brighton, East Sussex, England. I worked at Ringmer Community College for 14 years before moving to teach internationally. My first international post was in Dubai and I stayed there for 3 years. I then moved to Nexus here in Malaysia and have been here for 5 years now. I wish that I had started teaching internationally many years earlier as I am loving the teaching, the international kids and the travels.

What is the most memorable moment in your teaching career so far?

It was when I won ‘UK Guardian Teacher of the Year’ in 2007 after being nominated by pupils and parents.

What do you like most about teaching?

The learners – their personalities, fun nature and how quickly they can learn things.

What is the best thing about teaching at your school?

Everything from the learners, staff, ethos, amazing resources and that every learner has a MacBook Pro which has transformed my teaching.

Who or what inspires you?

I have many former and current amazing colleagues who are a real inspiration to me and help me further improve my teaching.