Siobhan Duffy
My Story
About Me
My journey into education was anything but conventional.
As a child, I struggled with Mathematics and quietly came to believe I wasn’t “clever enough” to succeed in it. A belief that shaped my confidence well into adulthood.​
Everything changed at the age of 28, shortly after celebrating my daughter’s first birthday.
While working at a Kumon Learning Centre, I came to a most profound realisation. My struggle was never rooted in my ability, but rather in the teaching methods and approaches that had failed to support the way I learned as a child.​
This insight marked the beginning of a deep, lifelong commitment to education. It shaped my holistic approach to teaching. Guiding me to facilitate learning in ways that foster confidence and cultivate a strong sense of self-belief in every child.​
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While continuing to work at Kumon, I completed my studies through UNISA, all while embracing my most important role -that of being a single mother. This experience strengthened my resilience, deepened my determination, and shaped my commitment to meaningful, transformative education.
My Philosophy
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I am deeply committed to a process-based, integrated approach to teaching. I embrace the Arts as powerful pedagogical tools to support the holistic development of young children. I believe that learning should be engaging, collaborative, and grounded in meaningful, real-world experiences.
My work focuses on designing teaching approaches that honour how each child learns best. I celebrate the richness of neurodiversity and cultural identity as essential contributors to cognitive and emotional development.
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This approach is grounded in a commitment to inclusive education .
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Every child feels seen, heard, and valued.
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Learning is active, playful, and process-driven.
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Socio-emotional development is nurtured through daily interactions.
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Children collaborate, create, and construct meaning together.
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Hands-on, concrete experiences form the foundation for deep understanding.​
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I believe that when education is shaped by creativity, emotional intelligence, and authentic connection, it transcends subject instruction.
It cultivates confident, capable, and compassionate human beings.
"if you can light the spark of curiosity in a child, they will learn without any further assistance"
sir ken robinson
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2019 - 2025 - BEd Lecturer
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2018 - Bachelor of Education, Honours - Specialising in Teaching Mathematics
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2009 - 2019 - WCED Foundation Phase Teacher
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2005 - 2008 - Bachelor of Education Specialising in Early Childhood Development and the Foundation Phase
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2000 - 2008 - Kumon Facilitator
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Diploma in Public Relations
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Fine Art and Illustration Training