Your full name:

Ciara Anne Brenan Markham

Where did you grow up?

Cascais, Portugal.

Education:

St. Dominic’s International School, Portugal; BA in English Literature with Film Studies, University College Dublin; MA in Film Studies, University of East Anglia; PGCE in Secondary Teaching English, UEA.

Your previous role and place of work:

Assistant Head Teacher, Head of English, Media and Film Studies at Downham Market Academy.

What are you most looking forward to about your new role and working at King’s Ely?

I am looking forward to fostering an environment in which students feel empowered, supported, and heard. I want the education I provide to give them the confidence to think critically, justify their ideas, and express opinions without fear of judgment. I am also excited to flex my basketball coaching muscles and contribute to additional extracurricular activities whenever possible!

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A basketball-playing forensic pathologist.

Hobbies/interests outside of school:

Basketball, strength training, photography, cooking (and eating!), dog walking and training, reading, and watching films.

Any pets?

Two dogs - Rory, an almost 3-year-old Golden Retriever, and Todd, a 1-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. I am totally in love with them - ask me about my dogs, it is my favourite topic!

What is your favourite meal/food?

Cheese makes everything better. I have no discrimination - any type of cheese will do, even blue.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

The ability to control time - speed it up, slow it down - limited to myself and those in my immediate vicinity.

Who is your hero?

Maya Angelou, for living with strength, compassion, and an unshakable faith in the power of language.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Mastering the chaos of teaching, life, and dog ownership - mostly unscathed.

What was the last book you read?

'Old Babes in the Wood' by Margaret Atwood.

What song are you most likely to sing at a karaoke?

'Summer of 69' by Bryan Adams… bring earplugs.

What is your favourite film?

I cannot decide - Memento for the plot twists, Mean Girls for the quotes. My memory is bad, but my Regina George impressions are flawless.

Do you have any phobias or fears?

Accidentally hitting ‘Reply All’.

If you could share a meal with any four individuals, living or dead, who would they be?

Margaret Atwood, to hear her dystopian scheming; Maya Angelou, in hopes of experiencing mic-drop wisdom; Taylor Swift, to learn how to turn heartbreak into art; and David Fincher, to discover how even shadows can tell a story.

Name three things that you would want with you if you were stranded on a desert island for a week:

A notebook to write my epic novel, a stack of novels to pass the time, and my dogs to keep me sane.