What’s the best thing about teaching?
Connecting with the children and helping them to achieve their 'Eureka' moments when something clicks for them.
Why did you decide to enter teaching?
I was a teaching assistant first as a job out of university and I realised I wanted to work with more children on a bigger scale beyond the one to one. I really enjoyed my intervention sessions with them so decided to try and take it to a place I could reach more children.
What’s been your proudest moment in teaching?
Working as a SENCO, finally getting one of my most difficult students to show what he’d learnt in literacy lessons and reading aloud to the class for the first time.
It made me feel so happy that not only had we taught him a life skill that had been evading him all the way through primary, but we gave him an opportunity to grow his confidence, and become a liked member of the class because he now had a chance to access the curriculum.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your teaching career?
Having your hands tied by the constraints of the situation – sometimes we want to change the world but it's so difficult because of time, resources, engagement. Finding a way around this with creativity, support networks and a continued passion for why we do this job helps.
What celebrity best represents you as a teacher in the classroom and why?
Coach Carter with a sprinkle of Judi Luv. I’ll always find a way to get through to you while sticking to my high expectations and keeping a great sprinkle of humour and humanity.
What do you use Tes for?
Resources, inspiration, comparisons and starting points. It’s a great way to see how other people tackle topics and allows me to build from there.
What has using Tes helped/enabled/encouraged you to do?
It helped me find my SENCO job but it's great when you work in a smaller school to read the articles and see some of the theory around teaching and the latest concepts.
If you were telling a friend about Tes, what would you say?
It’s a great support to so many elements of teaching.
What’s the biggest thing you’d like Tes to help teachers with more?
Hearing input from more teachers, hearing the voices of more new minds.
You/your school gets a million pounds. What do you spend it on?
Tech! Stem projects, hardware and software to support coding projects.
One piece of advice or top tip you’d give someone just entering teaching today?
It’s a great craic when you’re kind to yourself!
