Open to opportunities

Thamarai Naik

@thamarainaik

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Experienced primary school leader and curriculum specialist driving student-centered, standards-aligned learning.

China

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What I'm looking for

I seek senior leadership roles that allow me to shape curriculum, lead teacher development, and foster inclusive, project-based learning in international schools.

I am an experienced primary school leader and curriculum specialist with a long history of leading departments, developing curriculum, and improving student outcomes across international and South African schools.

At BASIS Bilingual School Shenzhen I led the Primary Humanities Department, contributed to EL policy and teaching-and-learning frameworks, proctored benchmark assessments, and implemented pastoral and behavioral programmes to support student well-being.

I have held senior leadership roles including Head of Department, Acting Deputy Principal, and Head of Grade, managing curriculum planning, teacher development, recruitment, budgeting, and community engagement while training thousands of teachers on curriculum changes.

I bring strong leadership, communication, and instructional-design skills, a commitment to inclusive education and project-based learning, and a track record of delivering professional development, assessment oversight, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to raise standards.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Primary Humanities Chair

Current

BASIS Bilingual School SZ

Aug 2019 - Present (6 years 1 month)

Spearheaded the Primary Humanities Department, developing EL policy, scope and sequence, and co-teaching frameworks while improving assessment consistency and student wellbeing across the primary school.

Curriculum Development Department Leadership Teacher Development Cross Functional Collaboration

Project-Based Teacher & Head of Grade

Shenzhen American International School

Aug 2018 - Jul 2019 (11 months)

Coordinated project-based curriculum for English, Math, Natural and Social Sciences, implemented formative/summative assessments and student-centred project practices to enhance critical thinking and communication.

Project Based Learning Curriculum Design

Head of Department & Primary Chair

Blouberg Ridge Primary School

Jan 2009 - Jul 2018 (9 years 6 months)

Led the department overseeing curriculum, assessments, staff development and extracurricular coordination, improving instructional quality and departmental administration from 2009 to 2018.

Department Leadership Assessment Design Resource Management

Acting Deputy Principal

Lotus Gardens Primary

Jan 2007 - Dec 2008 (1 year 11 months)

Assisted the principal with school administration, curriculum oversight, staff management and policy implementation, leading initiatives to improve academic standards and operations.

School Administration Leadership Staff Supervision Policy Implementation Budgeting

Head of Department (Intermediate & Senior)

Mondeor Primary School

Jan 2005 - Dec 2006 (1 year 11 months)

Oversaw Life Orientation and EMS programs, led curriculum development and teacher training, and coordinated extracurricular activities to support student development and instructional quality.

Teacher Training Program Coordination Data Driven Instruction Performance Monitoring

Acting Deputy Principal

Brindhaven Primary School

Jan 2002 - Dec 2004 (2 years 11 months)

Supported principal in school development, curriculum and staff management, led professional development and maintained school operations to ensure instructional continuity and compliance.

Curriculum Development Operations Management Policy Development Community Engagement

Teacher & Head of Department

Lotus Garden Primary

Jan 1998 - Dec 2002 (4 years 11 months)

Delivered classroom instruction, led departmental curriculum initiatives, conducted assessments and supported continuous improvement in teaching practices and student outcomes.

Classroom Instruction Curriculum Development Assessments Classroom Management Record keeping Child Protection Collaborative Planning

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Philippines Women’s University

Master of Education, Educational Management

Enrolled in a Master of Education majoring in Educational Management, expected completion May 2026.

Harvard University

Certificate, Project-Based Learning

Grade: CUM LAUDE

Completed a Project-Based Learning program with cum laude distinction in 2019.

University of South Africa

Master of Education, Educational Management

Completed a Master of Education in Educational Management in 2018.

Tshwane University of Technology

Bachelor of Education (Honours), Educational Management

2002 - 2002

Grade: CUM LAUDE

Awarded a B.Ed. (Hons) in Educational Management.

Transvaal College of Education

Higher Education Diploma, Primary Education

Completed a Higher Education Diploma in Junior Primary (Foundation Phase 4 years and Intermediate Phase 1 year) culminating in a Diploma in Junior Primary (M+4).