AIHM’s Meet the Instructor series lets you get to know the hardworking, inspirational individuals who guide our students on their AIHM journeys. Each faculty member brings their own talents, background, passion and expertise to their teaching. Learn how they became the teachers they are today. Glimpse a bit of their life outside the classroom. Read about the life experiences that have shaped them and their teaching philosophies.
Today’s star instructor is Academic Dean Warren Stanworth, a founding faculty member of the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management.
Warren Stanworth, Academic Dean at the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management
Every AIHM student benefits from Warren Stanworth’s dedication to inspiring a new generation of hospitality leaders. Whether they are at AIHM pursuing a degree in hospitality management, earning one of our professional certificates in hotel management, or improving their English skills to prepare for further education, AIHM’s students profit from Warren’s academic expertise and inspiring personality.
After earlier years of his career in the business world, Warren discovered his passion for teaching in 2010 and dived headfirst into academia. Since then, he’s taught and managed faculties in secondary schools and universities within both the UK and Thailand. At AIHM, he drives programme planning at all levels of the institute while overseeing students’ academic progress and satisfaction. As part of the Executive Education programme, he teaches professional development courses in Personal Branding.
Get to know Warren better in the Q&A below.
Q&A with Warren Stanworth
Why do you teach?
Working with young people is an honour and a privilege. Being able to see them develop and walking alongside them is incredibly rewarding.
When I was asked what kind of teacher I wanted to be when I finished my teaching qualification, I said I wanted to be a dream maker rather than a dream stealer. I find joy in inspiring my students, in helping them find and build the skills to achieve their dreams.
Teachers have the ability to change lives. They make tremendous impacts on their students. I work hard to be the kind of teacher who makes a positive impact, who empowers students, who helps them overcome obstacles, who supports them on their individual journeys.
Give us four adjectives that others would use to describe you.
Four words I’d hope they use are:
- Encouraging
- Supportive
- Inspiring
- Confident
This is the kind of impact I’d like to have on my students.
How would you describe your teaching style?
My teaching style is student centred. I focus on the needs of individuals, enabling them to learn in their own domain. Where possible, I like to provide fun, interactive sessions that allow students to express themselves in a safe environment.
What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies?
The Godfather and The Wizard of Oz. (Yes, these two films could not be more different. However, the latter brings back special memories of when I was a child, watching with my grandmother.)
What inspires you?
Young people and their dreams.
What song do you know all the lyrics to?
So many, but my favourite is “Sunflower” by Paul Weller.
You’re a career specialist in education. What’s your own educational background?
I’m passionate about learning in my own life, so it’s not surprising that I’ve built a career in academia.
My first degree is a BA (Honours) in Business Administration from Huddersfield University. My second degree is an Executive Diploma in Management Studies from Lancaster University. My third degree is a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Central Lancashire. In addition, I earned my Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Central Lancashire. I am currently sitting my second Master’s degree, a Master’s in Educational Leadership with Keele University.
Photo credit: https://investprestoncity.com/article/2892/University-of-Central-Lancashire-UCLan-Masterplan
As a lifelong learner, I encourage students to remember that education is never finished; it is only taking place in different spaces as you grow along your journey. To paraphrase a famous Winston Churchill quote about achieving a victory: when you have completed your degree, it is not the end; it is “the end of the beginning”. Learning is an ongoing process, and your degree is one important step along the way. It’s an incredibly important and life-changing one, and it can give you the tools to continue learning and evolving, but as you can see in my own educational journey, there is always more you can learn. You can get better at what you do. You can learn how to apply what you already know to new areas.
Beyond specific skills and knowledge, I aim to help students develop their mindsets, their drive to achieve their goals, their belief in themselves and their ability to continue learning and to actively create the future they want to see for themselves.
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