What’s the best thing about teaching?
Within my subject, it’s that reading experience. Seeing students have emotional responses to texts is wonderful. Every year, I’m impressed by their interpretations but also their responses. On the whole, it’s being privileged enough to be part of their journeys, seeing them mature and grow is a special experience.
Why did you decide to enter teaching?
I was about six or seven when I first watched Matilda – and I desperately wanted to be Miss Honey! If you ask my sister, I used to always make her play ‘Teachers’ with me, and I made my own overhead projectors, registers, lessons etc. It was always on the cards! Then when I lost my dad, I had some really supportive teachers, and it cemented it for me – I wanted to make a difference the way my teachers had.
What’s been your proudest moment in teaching?
It’s an odd one… a student who was often in the wrong crowds, easily led and didn’t always understand the consequence of his actions, thanked me because he felt he might have been racist had he not met me. He said he had so many misconceptions and I had opened his eyes.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your teaching career?
I would definitely say the toughest challenge is supporting students with mental health issues, or personal issues away from education itself. It’s easy to be a subject teacher. But being a guide and support for students can sometimes be mentally draining. I was lucky enough to have colleagues who I could rely on, but I think schools should really employ supervisors for anyone who is a DSL, and also for classroom teachers.
What celebrity best represents you as a teacher in the classroom and why?
My energy has been likened to Maya Jama (highlight of my career). But this question is too hard to answer!
What do you use Tes for?
I’ve used Tes for years! When I first started teaching, it was to access free resources that acted as starting points for my lessons. Then as I gained confidence and experience, I used the Tes news and opinion pieces as my leisurely CPD.
What has using Tes helped/enabled/encouraged you to do?
Tes has been brilliant for my career. I’ve written a few pieces for Tes and not only has it let me share ideas, it has made me reflect on my own practice too. I’ve learned so much from other colleagues who have written pieces for Tes – from mental health provision for students, to practical tips to use in my own teaching.
If you were telling a friend about Tes, what would you say?
I often tell lots of my friends about Tes – usually when someone mentions a topic that’s been covered by Tes Magazine, I always direct them to Tes.
What’s the biggest thing you’d like Tes to help teachers with more?
I’d love Tes to provide some form of platform where teachers could collaborate. I’d also like to see a CPD section where teachers record video ‘masterclasses’ on certain topics.
You/your school gets a million pounds. What do you spend it on?
Mental health, wellbeing, resilience training and support for each member of the school, including staff… and if there’s any money left over books! Lots and lots of books!
One piece of advice or top tip you’d give someone just entering teaching today?
Remember you are the best resource in the classroom and having faith in yourself will go a long way.
