Edward Vainker (2008 - 2009)

United Kingdom

Over the past six years Edward has held a variety of jobs and leadership roles in the education sector in the United Kingdom. For four years he taught at two inner city secondary schools in London through a new scheme called Teach First, which places outstanding graduates as teachers in disadvantaged secondary schools across the United Kingdom. Through Teach First, Edward taught French, History and Literacy to students struggling to pass their standardized exams, and took on leadership roles in the management of his secondary school. He was also involved who were below level. He was on the leadership team at his secondary school and was also involved in training new teachers at Canterbury Christchurch University, and mentoring new teachers in classroom settings. Edward has also consulted on curriculum design and teacher training and worked with different agencies to improve access to prestigious British universities for students from diverse backgrounds. He studied history at Cambridge University and is currently pursuing a Masters in comparative education.

As a Sauvé Scholar, Edward investigated how different education systems cater for those with specific learning difficulties and how they ensure that the most able students gain access to the most prestigious academic universities. Upon completing the Sauvé Program, Ed joined Teach for All as Director of Teacher Preparation, Support and Development. The organization is supporting social entrepreneurs all around the world in setting up programmes to get bright young graduates to go into schools in high poverty areas and develop a lifelong commitment in the graduates to fighting for educational equality. Ed’s role is to advise these organizations on the way they support and train teachers.