What classroom experience did you gain before undertaking your initial teacher training course?
My first classroom experience was during my undergraduate studies where I completed the “Physics in Education” skills elective module. Within this module I spent a half term studying within the School of Education before applying this to the delivery of after school revision sessions for GCSE students in preparation for their exams at a local high school. I also spent a short period of time observing lessons within a local privately-run school, allowing for comparison between the teaching and learning environments. I had already spent quite a few years tutoring students privately at this point and this experience allowed me to gain a position both observing and teaching Maths and Science at a tuition centre, working with students from KS1-KS4.
After working at the tuition centre for around six months, I then went on to secure a part time teaching position at an academy which ran similarly to the tuition centre with after school sessions provided for students across KS1-KS4. I worked here for a number of years, running the Maths programme and supporting the Science programme, whilst acting as a keyholder to the institute, liaising with parents and carers and finishing my degree!
Once I had finished my degree I began studying for a PhD whilst teaching undergraduate Physics seminars, computing and laboratory sessions. I loved the teaching element of my role and decided a career in teaching was absolutely the way forward for me. I then spent a year working full time in a Sixth Form connected to a high school acting as a Science and Maths mentor. In this role I ran small group teaching sessions for students identified as requiring additional support in their studies, I also managed to observe and learn from teachers across the school, building up strong professional relationships which I have carried with me into my ITT year.
I am extremely fortunate with the amount of experience I managed to secure before my ITT year and this will not be the case for everyone! I have enjoyed working with students from a range of different backgrounds and in a variety of settings and have taken a little bit from each experience to build my own teaching style.
By Aleisha Hogan