Training in September, Teaching by October

With a passion for geography, politics and making a difference, she knew teaching was the right path. She just needed a bit more time to begin.

I thought I’d have to wait a year – but I joined Autumn Institute instead.

Why I chose to teach

My passion has always been in geography and politics – geography was my favourite subject at school. I had some really great teachers, and have always been politically engaged in the world. We always spoke about politics at home, the different things impacting the world and how they could be addressed.

Studying geography and politics, I found every time I wrote an essay about solving issues around the world, it always came back to education as a bottom-up strategy to change the world. By teaching young people you can help challenge the complex structural inequalities in the world, not by assuming you have the answers, but by creating a space in your classroom where everyone feels safe, valued and their voices are listened to. You can create a space where pupils can achieve their full potential.  

Solving issues around the world – it always comes back to education.

I had an English teacher who used to say to us, “I don't want to teach you what to think, I want to teach you how to think.” And that's where teaching is really powerful. I don't wish to tell pupils what to think; I want to support them in learning how to think both independently and critically. Through supporting pupils develop critical and independent thinking you can work alongside young people to help them question the world around them, and encourage them to recognise the power and potential they have. You can help create the space for pupils to go out and make a difference or even just engage in the world.

I considered different career paths. A lot of my friends went into corporate roles, I respect those people, but I just felt that was never going to be fulfilling for me. I just wanted to teach.

Autumn Institute was perfect timing for me

I had a year out to try to figure out what I wanted to do; having a bit of space just working in a pub made me certain I wanted to do something meaningful.

I had work commitments – I was working abroad and moved back just after the start of Summer Institute. I didn't know about Autumn Institute; I thought I was going to have to wait a year. I was so grateful when my recruiter told me about it and talked me through the process.

You might want that summer to spend travelling, finish things up with your job or use the rest of your annual leave and that kind of thing – have that break. Autumn Institute gives you that leeway. What’s great is, I never really felt I was behind anyone who’d done Summer Institute.

I moved to a town I had never visited before

I am from just outside London and I asked Teach First to place me somewhere near enough that I could visit my parents. They placed me in Hastings on the south coast – somewhere I'd never been before.

None of the other trainees were looking for anywhere to live at the time. I think if I’d started in September, I could have probably found people to live with. But I found a flat, it was unfurnished – I didn't have anything! I moved house and then I started teaching two days later.

I made immediate friends.

It was the week before October half term and I walked into school, really nervous, and straight away, I made immediate friends with other Autumn Institute trainees and the Summer Institute trainees. We were welcomed into the group right from the start.

As soon as I told the people that I've just moved and I didn't have anything in my flat, they said, “Great, let's go shopping after school, let's go to the charity shops.”  I really felt like I wasn't alone, and I was carried along by all these people who wanted to show me their town. It was a fun experience, daunting, but fun.

In at the deep end

It wasn’t easy starting school after half term; the kids asked, “Who are you? Where did you come from?” You're not formally introduced like you might be at the beginning of the term. But, in a way, I would rather be put in at the deep end; some of my colleagues who started in September said it was a long induction. There are benefits and there are drawbacks to both Institutes. It's a lot at the start, but I think it's a really cool way to get into teaching. You're not tricked into thinking it's anything that it isn't, I would say.

At Autumn Institute, I met Izzy, my Subject Development Lead and Helen, my Professional Development Lead. And they've been amazing. I speak to Izzy every Friday as part of my learning plan. I have ADHD and, if you have a disability, Teach First will do a full learning plan with you. You'll see the disability advisor and they'll make arrangements to help you cope in school.

My mentor is phenomenal.

It's an emotional roller coaster, and Izzy's such a stable force. She's so calm and she's on our side if you're having any issues. She can solve a problem in two sentences.

Helen, my PDL, is based in Sunderland, so I don't see her as much. She's so supportive. Anytime I needed help with my assignments, she was on the other end of the phone.

My mentor Dan observes me in class, and he practises different teaching routines with me. He has so much going on and the amount of time he spends with me is incredible. He's just been phenomenal, and I really appreciate him.

What I get out of teaching

My favourite thing about teaching is definitely the relationships I've built with the young people; seeing them grow as people.

All my pupils are a priority, but making sure that my lessons have got real adaptations for my Special Educational Needs (SEN) pupils is really important. Whether a child has a diagnosis or not, you know the best things to help them cope. Maybe what works for most of the class might not work for them, so making sure you provide them with those tools really matters. Talking to pupils and being open about your own struggles is very valuable, if you had SEN needs at school it can be a real strength in the classroom. A highlight for me was receiving the school lion for my work with my SEN pupils and I know much of my strengths in doing this are related to the difficulties I experienced at school.

Considering teaching?

For anyone at the start of their teaching journey, I'd say: 

• Take time to think.
• What do you want to do with your life?
• How do you want to make an impact?

If your answer is, "I want to make a meaningful difference in the world" and you see teaching as a way to do that then, at the end of the day, all of those struggles are completely worth it because you'll be doing something that you truly love and feel passionately about. 

People will help you if things get tough.

And moving to a new place, it'll be okay. You will make friends, you will meet people, whether it's through the school or apps or just exploring your new area. You will be okay with the workload because teachers will help if you're struggling. People will help you if things get tough.

There is an answer to everything – I have found that nothing has been easy, but everything's been worth it and I think that's what matters.

Ready to start teaching this autumn?

Apply by 26 June to join our Autumn Institute.

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