My Experience On An ITT Course And As A Maths Scholar - By Thekla Lambri
Undertaking initial teacher training can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. During the first week, it may seem overwhelming with an abundance of information to absorb. Topics like safeguarding and PREVENT training can make you feel solely responsible for ensuring the safety and success of every child. However, it's crucial to remember that you are just one part of a larger school community that collectively provides support, guidance, and education to all students. Keeping this perspective in mind helps alleviate some of the initial apprehension and makes the experience feel less daunting.
The PGCE course involves a combination of theoretical learning and practical application in a classroom setting. As a trainee teacher, you will be immersed in various aspects of teaching, such as lesson planning, classroom management, and student assessment. Throughout the training, you will have the opportunity to observe experienced teachers, work closely with mentors, and gradually take on teaching responsibilities under their guidance. This hands-on experience allows you to develop your teaching skills, adapt your approaches to different learning styles, and gain confidence in front of a class.
Observing teachers in the classroom plays a key part in the training of any teacher and is something many teachers continue to do throughout their careers. Observing teachers is crucial as it offers valuable opportunities for professional growth and development. At the very beginning of your training, observing serves as a way for you to get used to the classroom environment, understand the day-to-day running of a classroom, and gain an understanding of the types of activities pupils do in each subject.
At times, the workload can be demanding, as you juggle coursework, lesson preparation, and reflection on your teaching practice. However, the support and feedback you receive from your mentors and peers are invaluable in helping you grow and improve as a teacher. Overall, initial teacher training can be a transformative journey where you develop the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to become an effective teacher. It requires dedication, perseverance, and a genuine passion for shaping the lives of students.
I decided to pursue being a Maths Scholar because of the precious opportunity it offers. Being able to put my knowledge and skill set to work and being a part of a community that supports my journey and offers helpful advice along the way sparked my interest in secondary school mathematics teaching and in being a Maths Scholar. Apart from the rich financial support, a Maths Scholarship allows you to enjoy a range of prestigious benefits. It allows access to a plethora of CPD events that allow trainees to make more insightful choices for their future pupils and helps them to guarantee that they teach them mathematics using the most recent innovations and developments in this realm.
A mathematics scholarship provides initial teacher trainees with a plethora of memberships and access to online resources. Membership in numerous organizations and societies provides support and networking possibilities. Access to online resources provides teacher trainees with access to a vast array of educational resources, which are highly valued when preparing lesson materials. This expansive collection allows us to find resources that align with their specific teaching objectives and cater to diverse learning styles. In addition, these resources offer options for differentiation and personalized learning.
Allow me to conclude by sharing a recent quote I came across: ‘ The only failure is the absence of learning’. It’s safe to say that being a teacher and getting actively involved in the academic development as well as personal development of the new generation, is a rewarding career path one can choose. The satisfaction derived from witnessing students grasp the concepts taught, achieve outstanding results in assessments, or even witness improvement from previous evaluations is immeasurable.
By Thekla Lambri
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