After graduating with an Honours Degree in Hispanic Studies from the University of Glasgow, Clare completed a PGCE specialising in early years education at the University of Worcester.

Returning to Scotland in the early 1990s, she dedicated over 30 years to primary education, with a particular focus on literacy and language teaching.

In 2015, Clare joined the University of Strathclyde as a Professional Development Officer at SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages. In this role, she contributed to the research, design, and delivery of a wide range of professional learning opportunities for teachers at various stages of their careers. This included close collaboration with Education Scotland on the national 1+2 Language Leadership Programme (1+2 LLP) and she was part of the SCILT team involved in the creation and delivery of the pedagogy element of Teachers Learning to Teach Languages (TELT), a blended professional learning programme delivered in partnership with the Open University.

Clare also spearheaded initiatives to engage parents, families, and the wider community in language learning. By working with diverse organisations representing parents and carers, she promoted the benefits of intergenerational language learning for Scotland’s young people.

Since 2019, Clare has been a Teaching Fellow at the Strathclyde Institute of Education, where she leads the BA Childhood Practice programme and contributes to teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

Currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education (EdD), Clare's research aims to explore the experiences of early career primary teachers in parental engagement practices in order to identify areas for future consideration to support future cohorts of early career teachers.

1990 PGCE (Early Years Education) from the University of Worcester

1988 MA (Hons) in Hispanic Studies from the University of Glasgow