What’s the best thing about teaching?
The kids – and that might sound cheesy, but it’s true. This job is demanding and incredibly hard work – it’s not a job that you could do without genuinely loving working with young people. They’re what make it all worthwhile. We’re in such a privileged position to help change students’ lives through learning and shape the next generation.
It’s also a massively unpredictable job and there are incredible moments of hilarity – young people really are brilliant.
Why did you decide to enter teaching?
When I was at school, I went through some really difficult things and it was school, and most of all my teachers, who kept me on the right path and eventually got me to sixth form and into university. I wanted to give the same back and I’ve never once regretted it. I love my subject, but I also love the ‘softer’ side of school and the other ways we can make a difference, as well as through igniting a love of our subjects.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your teaching career?
I think the obvious answer is the pandemic. The demands that this has placed on already over stretched and over worked schools has been some of the most difficult times our profession has had to endure. It’s far from over and the challenge remains just as significant.
What do you use Tes for?
I’ve used it for jobs in the past. I still remember the absolute excitement every Friday as a trainee teacher when the jobs page would be out and you’d leaf through it hoping that there would be something up you could apply for in a school you could see yourself working in.
I subscribe to Tes now because of the content that they provide. School leadership is a busy place to be and, as fast paced and frenetic as the past two years have been, with ever changing guidance issued seemingly, sometimes, at random, Tes always has accurate, informative summaries of everything that’s important. Their writers work tirelessly to make that process reliable and helpful for their readers and I always appreciate this.
The breaking news is obviously helpful but there are other parts of Tes that are useful too – lots of their writers are teachers in the classroom, myself included, and I think that teacher voice is so important in the national development of education. I always find the articles that have teacher voices contribute in a meaningful way to my development; a new idea, a different opinion. The list goes on.
What has using Tes helped/enabled/encouraged you to do?
Tes has a really special place in my heart – it’s even mentioned in my book! As a writer for Tes, it’s enabled me to do things I never thought possible. From have my own writing published, to writing cover pieces for Tes Magazine, to getting to interview world renowned experts, Tes has enriched my life in so many ways.
If you were telling a friend about Tes, what would you say?
The best edu-journalist publisher there is!
What’s the biggest thing you’d like Tes to help teachers with more?
Teacher development, be that written, live, virtual or pre-recorded. The Tes reach is huge and could make an even more valuable contribution to the profession.
You/your school gets a million pounds. What do you spend it on?
The pastoral care system. It’s overwhelmed right now with schools trying to pick up the pieces of a broken social care system. I’d employ professional mental health staff – CAMHS would be a good example. I’d also increase non-teaching staff to cover more family liaison and youth workers, or staff whose sole responsibility was to lead and develop Early Helps and get the right help to the right students.
One piece of advice or top tip you’d give someone just entering teaching today?
I’d say be careful of the martyr narrative. This job, if you’re in it for the long haul, can lead to burn out and the narrative around teaching, the ‘teacher being like a candle that consumes itself to light the way for others’ belief, is downright dangerous.
You’re a human being and a person too – you need to be able to look after yourself and live your own life, as well as doing this job, otherwise it really will consume you. Don’t fall for the seductive sound bites – talk to real teachers on the ground who do the job day in day out without sacrificing themselves in the process! Oh, and enjoy it. There’s no better job in the world!
Amy has a book called ‘The Complete Guide to Pastoral Leadership' available here.
