Meet Wendy Yum: The Science‑Loving Educator Shaping Curious Minds

Can you tell us a little about yourself (where are you from, where you went to school, what you studied) and how you found your way into teaching? 

I grew up and went to school in a small town in England. I went on to study science and engineering at a university in London. After graduating, I decided to go into teaching after realising how enjoyable and rewarding it is to help others learn.  

Earlier on, I mainly taught maths because I enjoy problem solving and finding solutions. Now, my main focus is teaching science, which has always been a subject I have been passionate about.  

How long have you been teaching?

I have been teaching for many many years. I started my first teaching position in an inner London secondary school. I then went on to gain experience teaching in a number of preparatory and primary schools in and out of London as well as in Hong Kong.  

Later, when moving to Tokyo I took several years away from teaching to focus on raising my young children. I returned to teaching in London before our family moved back to Tokyo and here I am now teaching in Tokyo.  

What do you believe every child deserves from their education? 

I believe every child should have a safe and welcoming place to grow, make friends and feel valued.  

How do you make sure every student feels seen in your classroom, not just the loudest voices? 

Every child should be seen, we display a lot of children’s work. I enjoy getting to know all the children that I teach.  

What does a great lesson look like to you — can you paint us a picture? 

A great lesson is when all children feel inspired and are engaged in their learning. The children are proud of themselves.  

What's a topic or unit you genuinely love teaching, and why does it light you up?

I do genuinely love teaching science because children love learning about science. It is fun working with children have such curiosity, energy and enthusiasm.  

How do you build trust with the families of the children you teach?  

Building trust with families is ensuring that they know we as teachers are here to help support their child.  

What do you think makes Laurus a special place to learn and work?

Laurus is unique in its strong focus on science. The school provides many opportunities for children to explore and enjoy science, from taking part in the annual STEAM Fair and developing their own projects at home, to participating in the E&I Fair, the Frontiers programme, and visiting guest speakers.  

It is great for children who enjoy science, with more time dedicated to science in primary compared to many other schools.  

It is also a wonderful place to work, right in the heart of Tokyo. I enjoy being part of a team who are all passionate about education and committed to providing engaging learning experiences for the children.  

What's currently on your reading list, or what are you learning about outside of school?

I find it hard to stay in a book, my aim is to read more. I have recently finished the three body problem the first one and am aiming to start the second one at some point.  

I like playing the piano at home, I am learning to play some of my favourite songs and I am trying to learn Japanese.  

If a student remembered just one thing from your class ten years from now, what would you hope it was? 

I want them to remember that learning was fun.