Dr. Amanda Bezzina, Holistic Education, Best Researcher Award
Doctorate at Institute for Education, Malta
Dr. Amanda Bezzina is a dedicated educator and researcher with a passion for enhancing education, personal development, and youth empowerment. She holds a wealth of experience in both teaching and research roles, spanning various educational settings and disciplines.
With a background in environmental studies, history, geography, and social studies, Dr. Bezzina has a strong foundation in multidisciplinary education. Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring students at secondary and tertiary levels, fostering their intellectual growth and social development.
profile
Education
University of Malta
- Visiting Senior Lecturer
- Field of Study: Education
- Dates Attended: October 2008 → Present
Bachelor’s Degree
- Field of Study: Environmental Studies, History, Geography, and Social Studies
Secondary School Teacher at Augustinian Sisters, St. Monica School (22 September 2006 – 30 June 2007):
- Taught Environmental Studies (History, Geography, and Social Studies) to Form 1 students.
- Organized fieldwork and historical visits for students.
- Participated in Parents’ Day events, staff meetings, and development sessions.
- Produced and corrected exam papers for Form 1 students.
- Participated in the Comenius project of the school.
Group Animator in Skolasajf 2004 (15 July 2004 – 07 September 2004):
- Organized fun and educational activities.
- Directed evening activities organized by schools participating in Skolasajf.
- Assisted students in learning crafts and acquiring social skills.
Traffic Count Surveyor for Smart City (11 October 2005 – 14 October 2005):
- Conducted traffic surveys, recording the number and type of vehicles on designated roads.
- Collected and presented data on survey sheets.
Geography Teacher at San Andrea School (22 September 2007 – 05 October 2007):
- Prepared students for Matsec and IGCSE exams.
- Conducted fieldwork activities.
- Attended staff meetings and development sessions.
PSCD (Personal and Social Career Development) Teacher at St. Margaret College Cospicua (08 October 2007 – 2021):
- Conducted PSCD lessons using experiential methods.
- Participated in extracurricular activities such as dancing.
- Organized outings related to the PSCD syllabus.
- Attended staff meetings and development sessions.
Visiting Senior Lecturer at the University of Malta (08 October 2008 – Present):
- Facilitated various modules related to personal and social development and youth work.
- Served as a member of the Board of Examiners of Dissertations.
- Conducted modules on group and interpersonal skills, facilitation techniques, and youth development.
Research Interest
Effective Teaching Strategies: Exploring innovative and effective teaching methods to enhance student learning outcomes, particularly in subjects related to environmental studies, history, geography, and social studies.
Youth Development and Well-being: Investigating factors that contribute to the positive development and well-being of young people, including the role of education, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
Personal and Social Career Development (PSCD): Studying the impact of PSCD programs on students’ personal growth, career aspirations, and social skills development.
Teacher Training and Professional Development: Researching strategies to improve teacher training programs and enhance the professional development of educators, particularly in the areas of curriculum design, pedagogy, and assessment.
Community Engagement and Social Integration: Examining the role of schools and educational institutions in promoting community engagement, fostering social cohesion, and addressing societal challenges.
Youth Work and Mentorship: Investigating the effectiveness of youth work programs, mentoring initiatives, and peer support networks in empowering young people, promoting resilience, and facilitating positive transitions to adulthood.
Publications
- Authors: Bezzina, A., Camilleri, S.
- Journal: Pastoral Care in Education
- Year: 2024
Title: “Adopting the circle pedagogy–relatedness, autonomy and competence”
- Authors: Camilleri, S., Bezzina, A.
- Journal: Pastoral Care in Education
- Year: 2023
- Volume: 41
- Issue: 4
- Pages: 449–472
Title: “Learning in a Circle – Apparent Simplicity”
- Authors: Camilleri, S., Bezzina, A.
- Journal: Pastoral Care in Education
- Year: 2022
- Volume: 40
- Issue: 4
- Pages: 373–390
- Authors: Bezzina, A., Camilleri, S.
- Journal: Pastoral Care in Education
- Year: 2021
- Volume: 39
- Issue: 1
- Pages: 48–66
Title: “Emotional intelligence and the Maltese personal and social development model”
- Authors: Bezzina, A., Falzon, R., Muscat, M.
- Book: Emotional Intelligence: Current Evidence from Psychophysiological, Educational and Organizational Perspectives
- Year: 2015
- Pages: 150–171