Strutting the boards - linguist, educator and pantomime star

By Hermione So

Joining a year ago, Liz Boardman has already become an admired and significant member of the Renaissance College community. Students she taught are familiar with her creativity and her love for her work. The RCHK Truth interviewed to learn more about her.

How long have you been teaching at RCHK and what do you teach?

This is my second year at RCHK. I arrived here last year after 9 years of teaching in the UK. I have quite a unique timetable, teaching DP French and Spanish, as well as MYP Theatre. I enjoy the variety of subjects and find it stimulating to indulge my different passions in my job. Last year, I covered Ms Pandya’s maternity leave as House Director for Ming House, so I jumped at the opportunity when the Song House Director role came up. I started as a member of Tang House when I first arrived, so I’ve worn nearly all the House colours in my short time here!

Can you tell us about your life before coming to RCHK?

I am originally from Manchester and worked in several schools in the northwest of England before moving to Hong Kong. Prior to accepting the job here, I had also lived in Spain and France and always loved learning languages and exploring different cultures. People always ask me which language I prefer teaching and speaking, but it is impossible to choose; I enjoy them equally and try to spend as much time as I can travelling to Francophone and Hispanic countries during the holidays. Like the students here at RCHK, I was first introduced to Theatre as a student in Year 7. I studied it for A Level and then decided to incorporate it into my teaching training after continuing to perform throughout university.

How do you feel about teaching? What is your favourite and least favourite part of teaching?

I adore my job here at RCHK. It is hard work, and there are days when I seem to spend most of my time running back and forth between the PAC and the main building, but knowing that no two days are the same and that students continue to find new and exciting ways to surprise me, keeps me coming back every morning. I am lucky to work in two excellent departments here at the school, and I feel really inspired by the staff and students here to strive to do the best job I can.

When did you realise you wanted to be a teacher? Did you have any other possible career choices before deciding on teaching?

Growing up, I never wanted to be a teacher. I changed my mind all the time, from wanting to be a palaeontologist (I am fascinated by dinosaurs) to a DJ (I had chosen music as a GCSE and was obsessed with an Irish DJ called Annie Mac and wanted to be her), to seriously considering a career in medicine. I left university not really knowing what I wanted to do and spent a gap year in Paris to try to reach a decision while developing my French skills. Whilst living in France, I saw an advert for a teaching training graduate scheme called Teach First and, after some research, decided to give it a go. The rest is history.

Apart from teaching, what other interests do you have?

I am a huge football fan. I make no secret that my heart belongs to the blue half of Manchester, and my season ticket at the Etihad Stadium is one of the things I miss the most about living in Hong Kong. I enjoy watching sports and try to keep myself active too. I decided to get back into performing this year and have a part in the Christmas Pantomime with the Hong Kong Players. I have really enjoyed the rehearsal process and cannot wait for opening night!

What is your most memorable memory at RCHK so far?

House Idol at the end of the last academic year. It was a fantastic day and a brilliant way to sign off the year. The rehearsals allowed me to meet many different students, and I was blown away by the talent across the houses. I cannot wait for Idol 2023!

If you could tell every student one thing, what would it be?

It is okay to not be certain of your future while growing up. Most adults are still figuring it out, and part of the joy of finding out what they are good at is trying new things until they do.