William Hickey
Dubai,UAE
Summary
Experienced Primary School Teacher with over 14 years of teaching experience across Ireland and the UAE, specialising in EAL and inclusive education. Holds a Master’s Degree in Specific Learning Difficulties (First Class Honours). Demonstrates a strong track record of improving literacy outcomes through targeted interventions, differentiated instruction, and data-informed teaching. Confident in integrating educational technology to support engagement, assessment, and personalised learning. Experienced in organising extracurricular activities and preparing students for standardised tests. Committed to safeguarding children and fostering peer collaboration to support holistic student development.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work history
Mainstream Class teacher
Victoria International Sharjah
Sharjah
2019.08 - 2026.05
- Deliver differentiated lessons aligned with the Australian Curriculum, supporting mixed-ability and EAL learners.
- Implemented targeted literacy interventions and guided reading programmes to strengthen fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary development.
- Used formative and summative assessment data to identify learning needs and provide targeted student support.
- Supported EAL learners in making measurable progress in reading and writing through structured intervention strategies.
- Integrated educational technology, including Seesaw and iPads, to enhance engagement and assessment practices.
- Fostered a positive and inclusive classroom environment that promoted student well-being, resilience, and independence.
- Collaborated with grade-level teams to support curriculum planning, moderation, and student progress discussions.
- Contributed to school initiatives and extracurricular activities that enhanced student participation and engagement
- Supported collaborative planning initiatives across upper primary teams and contributed to whole-school literacy and wellbeing programmes.
Mainstream Class teacher
Shountrade National School
Adare, Ireland
2013.09 - 2019.06
- Delivered engaging lessons across the Irish primary curriculum, supporting student development in literacy and numeracy.
- Differentiated instruction to support students with SEN, including dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia.
- Collaborated closely with parents and colleagues to support student wellbeing and academic progress.
- Supported whole-school initiatives, extracurricular activities, and school events.
- Created inclusive learning environments that encouraged participation, confidence, and positive behaviour.
Education
Bachelor of Education - Honours Degree
Mary Immaculate College of Education
Limerick, IrelandMaster of Arts - Specific Learning Difficulties
Atlantic Technological University
St. Angela’sSkills
- SEN Differentiation
- Literacy and numeracy proficiency
- Special educational needs training
- Guided reading proficiency
- Peer collaboration
- Data analysis
- Behaviour Management
- Data-Informed Teaching
- Educational Technology
- Student Wellbeing
- Extracurricular activities organisation
- Safeguarding children awareness
- Promoting inclusive learning environment
- Standardised test preparation
Referees
- James Ritchie, Deputy Head of Primary School, ritchie.james@viss.ae, +971 56 118 8064, Victoria International Sharjah, Al Taawun St, Al Mamzar, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Damian Van Wyk, Head of Grade 6, vanwyk.damian@viss.ae, +971 58 539 0284, Victoria International Sharjah, Al Taawun St, Al Mamzar, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Accomplishments
- Delivered targeted reading interventions for Grade 6 EAL students using DIBELS assessment data to monitor and support measurable gains in reading fluency and comprehension.
- Successfully implemented Literacy Lift Off to support accelerated progress in early reading.
- Developed targeted literacy support strategies for Grade 6 EAL learners as part of postgraduate research.
- Led PE and extracurricular initiatives that increased student participation and engagement.
- Integrated digital learning tools effectively to improve student engagement and formative assessment practices.
Professional Development
- Master of Arts in Specific Learning Difficulties
- Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies
- Classroom and Behaviour Management
- ICT and iPad Integration in the Classroom
- Apple Teacher
- Seesaw Ambassador Training
Languages
English
Fluent
Irish
Fluent
Arabic
Beginner
Timeline
Mainstream Class teacher
Victoria International Sharjah
2019.08 - 2026.05
Mainstream Class teacher
Shountrade National School
2013.09 - 2019.06
Master of Arts - Specific Learning Difficulties
Atlantic Technological University
Bachelor of Education - Honours Degree
Mary Immaculate College of Education