What Have Been The Highlights of Your ITT Course? - Lily Brown
My ITT year has been full of highs and lows, but the fulfilling moments where I have been able to connect with pupils through fun and meaningful interactions have made it all worth it. The immense joy and satisfaction these moments bring is second to none and it has been a privilege to experience this over the past 9 months.
Some of the most frustrating lessons this year have been with my younger classes, but these extreme lows have also been accompanied by extreme highs. My Year 8 Maths class is lively and often difficult to manage, but they are also incredibly bright and possess a wonderful mathematical curiosity. I remember one lesson where I presented a challenging question about angles in a hexagon, inviting the class to find a solution. The class worked excitedly with a buzz of energy and collaboration, each pupil keen to explore different approaches to solve the problem. Seeing their faces light up as they slowly pieced it together, with one pupil eventually cracking it and coming up to the board to explain his elegant solution to the rest of the class, was immensely rewarding and reminded me of the importance of fostering a passion for maths.
Another highlight of my ITT course has been recently taking the step to teach A-Level Maths. This was a step that I was anxious to take, as it has been a few years since I have used this knowledge and teaching older pupils initially seemed intimidating. However, when one of the A Level teachers asked if I would like to deliver a lesson on binomial expansion, I knew I couldn't turn down this opportunity. It turned out to be a highly rewarding experience! It was incredibly different from teaching KS3, with a much smaller class size and the pupils more mature and focused. The questions they asked were interesting and stimulating and it was refreshing to deliver content that stretched my brain. I have continued to teach this Lower 6th class for the rest of the Summer Term and the rapport I have created with them and the routines we have developed are extremely positive.
Another highly rewarding area of teaching this year has been the co-curricular activities I have been involved with, with a definite highlight being the Bronze DofE Expedition. I signed up to “shadow” a Bronze DofE group on their expedition, involving many hours of walking across the stunning North York Moors. Chatting to the pupils at checkpoints, sharing amusing stories and offering encouragement to keep going as their 20kg rucksacks began to wear them down was such a fun and rewarding experience and allowed the pupils to see me as a real person beyond the classroom. This connection has helped to build a positive relationship with them, which has in turn allowed me to engage with them more effectively in the Maths classroom.
Overall, my first year of teaching has been a journey of growth, resilience, and stepping out of my comfort zone. My passion for teaching continues to grow, as I have experiences that reinforce the importance of building positive relationships with pupils both inside and outside the classroom.
By Lily Brown
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-brown-493765234/
Instagram: lilybrownnxx
Image Supplied by Author
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