How the Maths Scholarship Will Help Me Become the Teacher I Always Wanted to Be - By Jack Trethewey
I am thrilled to be completing my teacher training knowing I have the support of the Mathematics Teacher Training Scholarship. I have completed eight weeks of my PGCE and QTS training so far and I am already seeing the benefits of it.
Earlier in September, I got to attend the Maths Scholars’ celebration event. It was a fantastic day that allowed me to network with all the other successful applicants for this year. During the day, we explored what it means to be a maths scholar and heard insightful talks from top STEM leaders, who shared valuable teaching tips and gave us a glimpse of how fruitful our careers could be. The day reminded me that, as maths teachers, we don’t just exist to give homework and prepare for exams. We’re here to inspire students and show them that maths, when taught with compassion and a genuine love for learning, is not only integral to daily life but also a joyful and satisfying endeavour in intellectual thought and reasoning. Meeting the other scholars made me realise I wasn’t on my own in feeling like this. The celebration event showed me there is a whole army of us trainees, brimming with knowledge and enthusiasm, chomping at the bit to get into the classroom, inspire the next generation and show that mathematics can be accessible to anybody who is capable of reason and is willing to question the world. I cannot wait for the next CPD event this December. I think this will be an excellent opportunity to strengthen the connections I have already made with scholars, and to learn in more detail about what it is we can offer in the classroom. I’m also glad that the CPD events will assist me in demonstrating I have met the teacher’s standards as I progress through my PGCE qualification.
Anybody who teaches maths will know that one of the biggest day-to-day challenges is finding engaging and relevant high-leverage resources that powerfully promote learning. From my own experiences and observations, the quality of teaching resources can either make or break a lesson. So, I am glad to have free access to Integral, an award-winning online teaching and learning platform for A Level Mathematics. It feels good knowing that when I come to teach A-Level maths, I will be able to do so knowing I can use fantastic resources that will enhance the quality of my lessons. I have had the opportunity to observe A-Level lessons, and I’m already envisaging how I can incorporate these resources into my teaching. Additionally, I’m pleased to have a year’s free access to the IMA’s Journal on Teaching Mathematics and its Applications. Being able to view and contribute to a prestigious forum of mathematicians discussing innovations in math education will allow me to bring fresh ideas and teaching methods to my classroom.
The Mathematics Teacher Training Scholarship has been very useful in my journey so far, connecting me with inspiring subject-leads, passionate peers, and high-quality resources that enrich my growth as a teacher. The events, networking opportunities, and access to tools like Integral and the IMA’s Journal on Teaching Mathematics have not only enhanced my training, but also fuelled my passion for making mathematics accessible and engaging for students. I’m excited to keep building on this foundation throughout my training year and beyond, bringing fresh insights and proven strategies to the classroom as I work to inspire the next generation of mathematicians.
By Jack Trethewey
You can follow Jack on Instagram here.
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