Katie Tomkins
Katie began volunteering in 2013 and is now one of the longest serving Schools Volunteers at the museum. She gives an incredible amount of time and effort to her role at the museum and shares her expertise as an ex-SEND teacher with staff and other volunteers. She volunteers at the museum every Thursday, welcoming and supporting schools throughout their visit by ensuring that everything runs smoothly and also gives a great deal of her own time to creating colour-coded schedules for all volunteers so that everyone can be aware of what is happening where in the museum.
Katie regularly volunteers on extra days to lead students on external walks and help with specific sessions. She draws on her knowledge and experience as an SEND teacher to help with specialised sessions and often signs up to help volunteer at short notice. In a sometimes chaotic role, Katie remains calm and professional and goes above and beyond to make sure that teachers feel supported and students are engaged so that they get the most out of their sessions.
Katie is modest, tireless, generous with her time and expertise and demonstrates remarkable commitment to the schools programme and to the schools who come through the doors of the museum. She is an invaluable asset to the museum and is well respected by both staff and her fellow volunteers alike.