About Mike

Teacher, Geographer, Leader, Educator, Innovator

Hello! My name is Mike Tidd and I am Head of Humanities and Subject Leader for Geography at Test Valley School in Hampshire. I have been a teacher for most of my working life and I immensely enjoy my role as a teacher. I have a deep interest in education developments and I am motivated to learn from and help my fellow practitioners and young people to achieve their potential.

I am enthusiastic about the role of technology within education and am always looking for ways it can be integrated into lessons. For the past five years I have developed and written my own education blog; https://miketidd.com/ and twitter account (@tiddtalk). This has allowed me to develop my own vision on the future of education and the use of technology and innovation in teaching. My website focuses primarily on education within the UK. I write about new educational developments, new technologies and their role in education plus geography as a leading subject. I am a strong believer in imaginative teaching, challenging pupils to achieve their personal best and to be provided excellent opportunities to develop independence in their learning.

Over the past few years my work has started to attract some interest. I have been shortlisted for several teaching awards;

2016 – UKEdChat Top 50 Teachers on Twitter

2015 – UKEdChat Top 100 UK Education Blogs

2015 – UKEdChat Top 50 UK Teachers on Twitter

2014 – The Guardian Top 30 Geography Teacher Tweeters

2014 – Innovate My School Top 30 Edu-Geeks to follow on Twitter

2012 – ChildEducation/PrimaryBlogger Nominated and Shortlisted for Teacher Blog of the Year

2012 – ChildEducation/PrimaryBlogger Nominated and Shortlisted for Most Influential Blog of the Year

2011 – Scholastic/PrimaryBlogger Nominated and Shortlisted for Teacher Blog of the Year

2011 – Scholastic/PrimaryBlogger Nominated and Shortlisted for Most Influential Blog of the Year

2008 – Hampshire County Council Future Schools Award

In addition to my school roles I am an organiser and presenter for TeachMeet Dorset focusing on innovative teaching practice where regular meetings are organised where good practice is shared. Through TeachMeet Dorset I have been invited to speak at other TeachMeet events such as TeachMeet Wessex, Taunton and Andover. This has also led to presenting at several Speed Learning events within Dorset and Hampshire and speaking at BETT 2014. I have written articles for Sec – Ed and Innovate My School over the past five years sharing my experiences as a teacher.

Outside of work I have several interests and activities primarily sport and music. I enjoy physical exercise especially running and have competed in several triathlons and running competitions. I have run the London Marathon three times with a personal best of 3.45.21 (2014). I have also been playing the guitar (electric and acoustic), ukulele and mandolin for the last twenty five years and have been part of several bands and groups playing live and recording material in studios.

I wish you all a successful 2017!

@tiddtalk