Circular Economy Education and Events Coordinator

Circular Economy Education and Events Coordinator

As the Circular Economy Education and Events Coordinator at CWM Environmental, I play a crucial role in educating the public and school children on the importance of adopting a more circular economy. Through community talks, events, and school visits, I help people understand practical next steps and the challenges we may encounter. I break down concepts such as ‘closed loop’ systems and ‘sustainable design’ to make them accessible and relevant to everyday life. I’ve developed curriculum-aligned workshops delivered across Carmarthenshire schools as part of our educational programme. These hands-on sessions focus on key circular economy principles, encouraging learners to build skills that support creativity, enterprise, and sustainable thinking. Activities include upcycling, basic repair skills, and resource-focused investigations that empower young people to become responsible contributors to a greener future.

My Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Lesson, workshop, and activity planning.

• Aligning our educational offerings with the Welsh Curriculum.

• Teaching about the circular economy to schools across Carmarthenshire.

• Coordinating visits, group presentations, and events.

• Preparing our educational areas for visits.

• Promoting our activities and events online.

• Running school visits to the Canolfan Eto.

• Tailoring our group presentations to the desired audience.

My Journey to Where I Am Now

I have had many different roles within my working life. Each one has led me slowly to where I am today. Firstly, I began as a swimming teacher, lifeguard, and gym instructor. This is where I first discovered a love for teaching. My next roles were varied, but all involved teaching or instructing. I worked at the ‘genius bar’ at Apple where I supported the public through setting up their devices and general tips. I worked briefly in a similar but sports focused role within Swansea Council as the Street Sports Coordinator. I then earned a B.Ed. in primary education with QTS. From there, I spent two years working in a private school in Kuwait as a class teacher and Maths Lead. Upon my return to Wales, I continued to teach for several years as both a class teacher and a subject leader. In September of 2024, I joined Cwm Environmental.

Key Attributes for Success in My Role

Success in my role relies on creativity, strong communication, and a genuine passion for sustainability. I need to be adaptable, tailor sessions to suit a wide range of ages and learning styles, and confident in delivering hands-on activities that often involve reused or unpredictable materials. Organisation and time management are key, especially when juggling school visits, event planning, and workshop development. Having a good understanding of educational goals and the flexibility to create my own curriculum allows me to design meaningful and impactful learning experiences. Patience, empathy, and a practical, problem-solving mindset also go a long way, especially when inspiring others to change long-held habits and embrace circular thinking.

What I Love About My Role & Challenges

I love teaching, and this role allows me to continue doing what I’m passionate about every day. The biggest difference between classroom teaching and this role is the freedom it gives me to build and shape my own curriculum. I’m not confined by rigid structures. I have the space to design meaningful projects and workshops around the circular economy. I get to be creative and hands-on, tailoring activities to different groups and seeing the direct impact they have.

That said, the role does come with its challenges. Reaching such a wide range of ages means constantly adapting content to suit different learning styles and abilities. Working with reused and donated materials can be unpredictable, and changing public attitudes toward waste and sustainability takes time and patience. But those challenges are also what make the role so rewarding.