Clifton Bartholomew

About me

As a teacher, I work hard to create spaces where people feel free enough to be curious and brave enough to try. Whether it's a student building their first app or a colleague navigating new software, the method is the same — make something, break something, learn something.

As a developer, I have a complicated relationship with technology. I love building things, but years of working with large systems has made me a reluctant convert to simplicity — most systems I have encountered make life harder, not easier. People, processes, and habits are where the real work happens — code is usually just the last step. The uncomfortable truth is that the best solution is sometimes no solution at all.

As a self-proclaimed philosopher, I read books and think a lot to try and be clever. It has not worked yet.

Growth

Employment History

2025 - Present: Inspired Education
Global Software Liaison

I manage the rollout and ongoing operation of iSAMS across 15 schools in South Africa, Kenya, and Mauritius, covering module implementations, third-party integrations, security, data quality, and configuration. I also develop academic and operational reports, deliver end-user training, and lead teacher workshops for Canvas, the network's preferred LMS.
2021 - 2024: Reddam House Ballito
Information Technology Teacher

I taught Information Technology for grades 10, 11 and 12 and Coding & Robotics for grades 6-9 and I was the team leader for iSAMS, the school's MIS (management information system). I attended matric marking annually during this period. One of my passions at the school was hosting an annual coding competition called Techbyte Fever.
2015 - 2020: Destiny Life Academy
GET Phase Head

I taught Physical Sciences and Mathematical Literacy at a grade 12 level for 6 years. I developed the reporting software required to generate the school's academic reports and managed timetabling. I was also the GSuite Administrator for the school and often led training in this area. In my final year I joined the management team as head of the GET phase (grade 8 and 9).
2013 - 2014: Altech Multimedia
Junior Software Engineer

I developed software, middleware and drivers for digital decoders (like DSTV) in C, C++ and C#. Additionally, I consolidated code bases as a build-master.

Qualifications

2022 - 2024: University of Southern Africa
Honours in Computing (partially completed)

I studied modules in Software Engineering, Software Project Management, Ontology Engineering, Enterprise Architecture, Information Security and Machine Learning. I stopped due to work life balance.
2019 - 2021: Theological Education by Extension College
Local Preacher's Certificate

I completed 1/3 of a Theology degree in order to be qualified to preach under a minister within the Methodist Church.
2016 - 2017: University of Southern Africa
Post-Graduate Certificate of Education

I completed my PGCE with didactics in Mathematics and Natural Science.
2010 - 2012: University of KwaZulu Natal
Bachelor of Science in Pure Mathematics and Computer Science

I completed my degree with summa cum laude (80% average) and a Dean's commendation.