Good News Stories – Hannah

Since I can remember, I wanted to get into teaching. An inspiring factor in this were the excellent teachers that I encountered through my school experience, particularly the ones that encouraged me to follow my dreams and recognise that nothing is impossible with hard work and dedication. After my drama degree, I decided to join the Arthur Terry SCITT.

Having no experience in teaching prior to this point, the prospect of joining a school felt daunting but my learning coaches and the training sessions soon instilled a newfound knowledge and confidence in me. Being placed in a school four days a week meant that the learning began instantly and there was always a relationship between theory from the training sessions and my teaching practice.

It left no time to wonder about the relevance of theaory but gave me the opportunity to trial, practice and discover my own teaching style very quickly.

Three years on from this experience, I have become a TLR holder for writing within my one form entry school, as well as becoming Head of Music which enables me to combine my passion for the arts with my teaching career; I lead the school choir at ‘Young Voices and the carol concerts termly for our school.

Joining teaching was the best decision that I have made. One phrase that is embedded into my mind since training on the SCITT program is ‘you create the weather in your classroom’. It’s a phrase that has shaped my practice and the way that I view myself as a teacher.

Working in a deprived, inner city school, I have had the chance to become an agent of inspiration and positivity for the children. I have been able to broaden their cultural capital with organizing trips such as to Stone Henge or the theatre.

I pride myself on securing a rapport with children, so they feel safe, seen and start to find an enjoyment in school – even if this is not through academic study but through joining my school choir, or attending rehearsals for up-and-coming performances instead. The Arthur Terry SCITT provided a vast and wide training of subjects such as music and art with specialists from partnership schools and the opportunity to visit their schools to see this in practice.

Since joining teaching, I have discovered a passion for writing which led to my appointment as the school writing lead. This has given me the chance to attend partnership writing quality circles and up-level my knowledge and skill.

I have also gained management experience from this, having to deliver staff CPD, complete learning walks and book looks for our school to enrich practice. As a third year teacher, I never imagined such as position would be possible so soon, but the skills acquired over my training and ECT years have prepared me for this role.

I have also completed my mentor qualification for the SCITT, meaning that I am qualified to give back to fellow trainee and associate teachers, passing on the knowledge, support and encouragement that I received to the next generation of teachers. Every other year, we are able to attend staff conferences with guest speakers who inspire and motivate us as practitioners, opening our mind to the possibilities of teaching and broadening our own personal mindsets

Although it can feel daunting getting into teaching and the workload brings with it challenges, find your ‘why’. Think about the reasons you wish to become a teacher and the changes you aspire to facilitate.

Whenever things feel pressured, know that nobody is truly an expert in anything and education is continually changing and adapting. I’ss okay to ask for help and be open to utilising the skillsets of those around you, as you discover your own teaching style and become the teacher you wish to be.