Gillian Atkinsons

My name is Gillian Atkinson, and I’m originally from Durban, South Africa. I am going into my third year of teaching in the United Arab Emirates and my second year at GEMS Metropole School, where I teach Music.

I completed my Postgraduate Certificate in Intermediate and Senior Phase Education through University of South Africa, as well as a Bachelor of Music at University of KwaZulu-Natal. Over the past 19 years, I’ve had the opportunity to teach across a range of curricula, including British, American, and South African. Although I have also worked as a class teacher, my main passion and focus has always been in Performing Arts and Music. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of building and growing Performing Arts departments a number of times, which has been incredibly rewarding.

I’m a passionate educator who believes that children need to feel safe, valued, and understood before they can truly thrive in the classroom. At the core of my teaching philosophy is the belief that children need care before they can learn.

I have a special interest in child psychology and how emotions, relationships, and confidence affect learning. I love using the arts, like music, drama, and creative expression, to help students discover their voice and build their self-esteem.

What inspires me most is seeing students who may not always stand out at first, gradually come to life as they find what makes them unique. I truly enjoy working with children who have hidden talents and watching them grow into confident, capable learners. I’m looking forward to an amazing year of learning, creativity, and connection with your children!

Beyond school life, I love to spend time with my family, who are all musicians. I am an avid fan of X Sports such as skating and motor cross. To keep fit I spend time roller-skating.

I look forward to meeting the students and their families in the upcoming year!