Miss Leigh Bjorkvoll

Biography

Science Education

Leigh's background in Biology and interest in supporting the learning of science led to her becoming a teacher and subsequently, a teacher educator.  Currently, as a science teacher educator working across Primary and Secondary Initial Teacher Education programmes, Leigh focuses on supporting student teachers in developing key skills, knowledge, and dispositions for the effective teaching of science through innovative approaches.  These approaches seek to address the challenges of both the teaching of, and learning of, science, making science education more accessible and inclusive for all learners, and ultimately, supporting the development of children and young adults in becoming scientifically literate citizens.  Leigh is an enthusiastic biologist and educator who seeks to improve science education for all.  

Other areas of expertise in education are: effective pedagogies; assessment of learning (formative and summative); outdoor learning, and mentoring.  

Leadership

Leigh is currently the Director of Education (UG) in the School of Education.  Leigh has particular interests in the quality of the student experience and how the contemporary education of students can continue to be developed, ensuring relevance and adding value to both the academic and professional student learning journey. 

Essential for a positive student experience is programme design. Leigh has been heavily involved in the leadership of Initial Teacher Education programmes since joining the University and successfully led two consecutive GTCS accreditation events- 2013 for the combined PGDE Primary and Secondary programmes; and the new PGDE S programme was accredited in April 2019 and achieved a commendation for the conceptual design and theoretical underpinning of the programme.

Employment:

2007- present: Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, School Of Education, University of Aberdeen

2002- 2007: Biology teacher, Aberdeenshire Council