My name is Dayana Balgabekova and I am a second - year PhD candidate in Education at the University of Glasgow. Throughout my educational and professional journey, I have become passionate about education, which has brought me to the field of teacher professional learning. My research project focuses on understanding teacher learning through Lesson Study professional development model in Kazakhstan. In order not to limit my PhD life only to my thesis, I work as a Graduate Skills Programme Tutor as a part of the College of Social Sciences Employability Team.
Throughout my studies, I was always involved in a number of extra-curricular or work-related activities. My job positions varied from being a teaching assistant for the Future Leaders Exchange Programme pre-departure orientation with the American Councils for International Education and being a full-time teacher of English and IELTS course at Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Kazakhstan to doing administrative work by organising a study trip to Brussels for postgraduate students from the University of Glasgow School of Social and Political Sciences and preparing a guided policy for the University of Glasgow Graduate Teaching Assistants as a part of my internship with Learning Enhancement and Academic Development Service (LEADS). All these professional roles along with my educational experience have developed me as an effective communicator, collaborator and a flexible teamworker. |
This ePortfolio was developed as a part of Graduate Skills Programme, which is a College of Social Sciences Employability award, to showcase my professional and personal development to date, as well as to provide a deeper insight into three key instances that have shaped my identity as an educator.
Professional Summary
My First Class Honours BEd in English and German and my MSc in Educational Leadership with Distinction degrees along with my four years professional experience of teaching have helped me succeed in a highly competitive and rigorous selection process for obtaining the International Scholarship of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Bolashak” to fund my PhD course at the University of Glasgow School of Education. By exploring mentoring practices of beginning teachers and their mentors in Kazakhstani secondary schools in my master’s dissertation, I have deepened my knowledge in the field of teacher education as well as developed my skills in both qualitative and quantitative research.
My postgraduate studies at Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education have laid the ground for my current research interests and were a stepping stone to pursuing a doctoral degree in Education focusing on teacher learning in the context of a professional development Lesson Study model in Kazakhstan. Having been a research student for a year, I have stepped forward in improving my analytical, critical writing and independent study skills through working on my research project as well as enhancing my professional development as a researcher through attending PGR workshops offered by the University of Glasgow.
As the alumna of Nazarbayev University, I currently volunteer as NU Alumni Ambassador within Nazarbayev University Alumni Association, serving as a contact point for prospective students interested in NU, for visiting staff and students, which helps me build professional and personal networks. This year, I am also the Secretary of the University of Glasgow KAZSociety, through which I am able to polish my communication and organisational skills by being responsible for promotion and organisation of cultural events and meetings.
In the second year of my undergraduate studies, I received a full scholarship for attending International Summer School at Bard College Berlin focusing on philosophy, art and education of Germany in Prussian era. By living and studying in a multicultural capital of Europe for six weeks I have developed my intercultural awareness and made friends with people from around the globe. My international study experience has been extended in my third year at university when I became German Academic Exchange Service DAAD scholarship recipient to attend a four-week German language course at the University of Mannheim. By studying in an extremely diverse academic environment of 600 people from about 150 countries I have proven my ability to adapt easily to a different learning environment as wells as my excellent communication skills by building long-lasting friendly relationships with the course participants.
Prior to starting my PhD studies, I have held job positions in a number of educational organisations. I was a teaching assistant for the Future Leaders Exchange Programme pre-departure orientation with the American Councils for International Education conducting a series of workshops on cultural adaptation and leadership potential for high school students from Kazakhstan going to study in the United States for an academic year. This was my first teaching experience through which I have developed as a teamworker and effective problem-solver. For four years I have worked as a teacher of English and IELTS exam preparation course at Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Kazakhstan, having grown as a professional with expertise in curriculum design, student-centred learning and reflective teaching. Additionally, I conducted IELTS exam preparation course for Nazarbayev University staff members at Educational Excellence Centre of Nazarbayev University, gaining experience of working with adult learners.
In my first year of studying at the University of Glasgow, I undertook two internships within the university setting. In my first internship with the School of Social and Political Sciences, I was assisting the MSc and MRes in International Relations course convenor in organising a study trip for postgraduate students to Brussels, through which I have enhanced my organisational, task-prioritisation and time management skills. In my internship with Learning Enhancement and Academic Development Service (LEADS), I have worked on an exploratory study focusing on the University of Glasgow Graduate Teaching Assistants’ experiences. By collecting and analysing qualitative data from interviews with various stakeholders and through analysing the GTA policy documents from Russel Group Universities I have enriched my potential as a researcher.
When it comes to my future career aspirations, I see myself teaching in a higher education setting in the first place. Alternatively, I would like to pursue a research career in education. Currently I am attending Developing As a Teacher in Higher Education (DAT HE) course enhancing my reflective teaching and learning potential. In addition, I plan to apply for several educational conferences to have the opportunity for sharing the expected results of my research and building networks with other educational researchers. In further perspectives, I aim to produce at least one article for publication by the end of my PhD studies. At the moment, I am doing my best not to limit my PhD journey to working on my thesis only, but rather to develop transferable skills in various professional and personal dimensions.
My First Class Honours BEd in English and German and my MSc in Educational Leadership with Distinction degrees along with my four years professional experience of teaching have helped me succeed in a highly competitive and rigorous selection process for obtaining the International Scholarship of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Bolashak” to fund my PhD course at the University of Glasgow School of Education. By exploring mentoring practices of beginning teachers and their mentors in Kazakhstani secondary schools in my master’s dissertation, I have deepened my knowledge in the field of teacher education as well as developed my skills in both qualitative and quantitative research.
My postgraduate studies at Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education have laid the ground for my current research interests and were a stepping stone to pursuing a doctoral degree in Education focusing on teacher learning in the context of a professional development Lesson Study model in Kazakhstan. Having been a research student for a year, I have stepped forward in improving my analytical, critical writing and independent study skills through working on my research project as well as enhancing my professional development as a researcher through attending PGR workshops offered by the University of Glasgow.
As the alumna of Nazarbayev University, I currently volunteer as NU Alumni Ambassador within Nazarbayev University Alumni Association, serving as a contact point for prospective students interested in NU, for visiting staff and students, which helps me build professional and personal networks. This year, I am also the Secretary of the University of Glasgow KAZSociety, through which I am able to polish my communication and organisational skills by being responsible for promotion and organisation of cultural events and meetings.
In the second year of my undergraduate studies, I received a full scholarship for attending International Summer School at Bard College Berlin focusing on philosophy, art and education of Germany in Prussian era. By living and studying in a multicultural capital of Europe for six weeks I have developed my intercultural awareness and made friends with people from around the globe. My international study experience has been extended in my third year at university when I became German Academic Exchange Service DAAD scholarship recipient to attend a four-week German language course at the University of Mannheim. By studying in an extremely diverse academic environment of 600 people from about 150 countries I have proven my ability to adapt easily to a different learning environment as wells as my excellent communication skills by building long-lasting friendly relationships with the course participants.
Prior to starting my PhD studies, I have held job positions in a number of educational organisations. I was a teaching assistant for the Future Leaders Exchange Programme pre-departure orientation with the American Councils for International Education conducting a series of workshops on cultural adaptation and leadership potential for high school students from Kazakhstan going to study in the United States for an academic year. This was my first teaching experience through which I have developed as a teamworker and effective problem-solver. For four years I have worked as a teacher of English and IELTS exam preparation course at Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Kazakhstan, having grown as a professional with expertise in curriculum design, student-centred learning and reflective teaching. Additionally, I conducted IELTS exam preparation course for Nazarbayev University staff members at Educational Excellence Centre of Nazarbayev University, gaining experience of working with adult learners.
In my first year of studying at the University of Glasgow, I undertook two internships within the university setting. In my first internship with the School of Social and Political Sciences, I was assisting the MSc and MRes in International Relations course convenor in organising a study trip for postgraduate students to Brussels, through which I have enhanced my organisational, task-prioritisation and time management skills. In my internship with Learning Enhancement and Academic Development Service (LEADS), I have worked on an exploratory study focusing on the University of Glasgow Graduate Teaching Assistants’ experiences. By collecting and analysing qualitative data from interviews with various stakeholders and through analysing the GTA policy documents from Russel Group Universities I have enriched my potential as a researcher.
When it comes to my future career aspirations, I see myself teaching in a higher education setting in the first place. Alternatively, I would like to pursue a research career in education. Currently I am attending Developing As a Teacher in Higher Education (DAT HE) course enhancing my reflective teaching and learning potential. In addition, I plan to apply for several educational conferences to have the opportunity for sharing the expected results of my research and building networks with other educational researchers. In further perspectives, I aim to produce at least one article for publication by the end of my PhD studies. At the moment, I am doing my best not to limit my PhD journey to working on my thesis only, but rather to develop transferable skills in various professional and personal dimensions.