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Meet the Pre-Degree team – Camille Dalais-Leacher
Saturday, 25 May, 2024 — Academic Skills Lecturer Camille Dalais-Leacher teaches students on our Extended Diploma in Art & Design, as well as specialising in teaching GCSE English to students who need extra support in order to get the most out of their studies.
<p dir="ltr">Academic Skills Lecturer <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/camille-dalais-leacher">Camille Dalais-Leacher</a> teaches students on our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design">Extended Diploma in Art & Design</a>, as well as specialising in teaching GCSE English to students who need extra support in order to get the most out of their studies.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Camille first joined Arts University Plymouth as a student of Lens Based Media, specialising in filmmaking, in 2003. She went on to study BA (Hons) Media & Cultural Studies before completing an MA in Scriptwriting at Falmouth University. She credits these as the stepping stones that inspired her to develop her professional journey into media and film, specialising in writing.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Alongside her role at Arts University Plymouth, Camille worked as a freelance journalist, notably writing for Devon’s Food & Drink Guide for many years, and more recently self-publishing her first children’s book, ‘Mooncheese and Sunbeams’, inspired by her own children.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Camille said: “My background as an artist stems from my love of storytelling and its many forms. Filmmaking, writing and music are among my favourite ways of expressing myself as a creative.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Now working as an Academic Skills Lecturer within our Pre-Degree and Sixth Form centre for 16 to 19-year-olds, Camille has worked at Arts University Plymouth for over 16 years. She has extensive experience delivering inspiring and engaging lessons to foster student learning and results. During her time at the University she has taught across a wide range of courses including Film, Graphics & Illustration, Art & Design, and Photography. She currently specialises in supporting students to attain the GCSE English results that they need to progress to Higher Education and support their professional careers.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">We sat down with Camille to find out what inspires her as an educator and an artist, what she loves about Arts University Plymouth, and why she believes the world needs creatives now more than ever:<br /></p>
Camille Dalais-Leacher
<p dir="ltr"><strong>How do you think Pre-Degree students benefit from your experience when you teach them?</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">I am an intellectually curious person, always seeking new information. I try to use that curiosity to help students develop into knowledgeable, valuable, professionals, encouraging them to use English in an exciting, creative manner to boost their confidence. </p>
<p dir="ltr">As well as a self-published children's book author, outside of the University, I am an established piano teacher for all ages and abilities. Interacting with young and adult creatives is at the core of my creativity; getting others as excited as I am about music, writing and film is always a real winning aspect to my roles.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>What makes you most excited to be part of Arts University Plymouth?</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">The University is continually evolving with accessibility, creativity and technology. We inspire young people to feel comfortable being individuals, pushing boundaries and embracing mistakes; resulting in resilience and problem solving skills. I have always been proud to be a part of this institution, first, as a student, then as a lecturer.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Coming full circle has allowed me to understand both perspectives, as a learner and tutor. The relationships between staff and students is undeniably different to school and as practitioners ourselves, we are able to help learners problem solve with empathy and understanding on a grounded, human level, not from a pedestal.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Why does the world need creatives now more than ever?</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Challenging times in recent years have meant that we are still dealing with a ripple effect. We envelope our learners in an undisputed array of creative possibilities here at Arts University Plymouth. The world needs to learn from solving complex problems, fostering innovation and bringing fresh perspectives to problems like climate change, social inequality and technological advancements. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Creative thinking helps us adapt, evolve and find novel solutions in an ever changing landscape. Writing, making music, reading, drawing, sculpting, videoing and more paint the pathway for understanding and interpretation of situations that feel untouchable, but can reach out in a diverse way that leaves a meaningful impact. <br /></p>
