Sheila Messer
Sheila Messer is a freelance mathematics education consultant and the current Chair of the IB Examining Board. She has extensive experience of consultancy work, both for Ofqual, the UK examinations regulator, and for the IB (carrying out school authorization visits and five-year evaluations; developing teaching materials for IB mathematics courses; and acting as external advisor for Diploma Programme mathematics SL). She is a former chief examiner and has led IB professional development workshops, teacher training and student revision courses.
Sheila studied at the University of Kent at Canterbury (1966–1969), where she gained an honours degree in mathematics. This was followed by a postgraduate certificate in science education at the University of London, Chelsea College of Science and Technology. She started her teaching career in the UK in 1971, teaching mathematics to A Level students, but her professional life soon took her abroad, first to Khartoum International High School, in Sudan, and then to Port Moresby International High School, in Papua New Guinea, where she was head of mathematics. In her capacity as a member of the senior management team, Sheila was instrumental in introducing the three IB mathematics courses at the school.
In 1991 Sheila brought her considerable experience of teaching students across the full age and ability range to the International School Moshi, Tanzania, where she was appointed head of mathematics and KS4 coordinator. Here she combined pastoral and curricular responsibilities, including the implementation of a new curriculum for junior secondary mathematics on two campuses, and the use of IT in mathematics.
She subsequently continued her teaching career in The Netherlands (at the American School of the Hague, and at the International School of the Hague) before making the decision in 2001 to use her considerable teaching and management expertise in pursuit of a freelance career.
In her spare time, Sheila is a keen walker and active member of the North Dorset Ramblers. She is a member of several community action, nature conservation and wildlife groups, including the Woodland Trust and the RSPB. She enjoys African archaeology and world music.
