Feature Friday: Emma Speirs

Please state your full name and your new position here at Marlborough College Malaysia.

Emma Speirs – Teacher of English and Drama, Senior School.

Could you share a little about your background, family, hobbies, and anything else that’s important to you?

Having lived in Rutland for 20 years, I loved being just an hour away from two of my favourite places: Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and London’s West End.

My other passions include the great outdoors, whether I’m running, walking, sailing, or skiing. Our family loves to travel, and our most recent adventure was an epic trip to Costa Rica, where we enjoyed white-water rafting, canyoning, and surfing.

I have three boys, Louis (18), Henry (16), and Barnaby (13), who keep me on my toes and have meant I’ve spent many weekends on sports fields, watching their matches.

My professional life has been a journey back to my passion for literature. Before teaching, I worked in PR and Marketing, first for a theatre in Baltimore, USA, and then for a global PR agency in London. My career then came full circle as I returned to the study of literature through teaching.

Why Marlborough College Malaysia and why Malaysia?

Marlborough became our top choice for an international move, and it was an easy decision. As both a teacher and a parent, I knew it was the perfect school where my boys and I would all thrive.  I had been to Malaysia a few times before and loved the vibrancy and friendliness of the country and people. We are so excited to be here and specifically to be at MCM.

Can you describe your experiences and achievements in your current/previous role?

As a head of a large English department, but even before that, I was a teacher who has always been driven to make reading the core of the curriculum. Reading opens up so many different worlds for students, and it is heartening to see that MCM also embraces this ethos. In my role as a GCSE examiner, I have developed a strong appreciation for the key skills students need to make progress to ensure results.  Beyond the classroom, I am passionate about fostering teamwork and resilience, and in previous schools have run the cross-country club and have helped on various Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, ski trips and a trip to Sumatra.  Therefore, I’m really looking forward to getting involved in the wide range of enrichment opportunities here at MCM.