Helen D.
About me
| Helen D. | |
| English and Related Literature | |
| English | |
| Undergraduate | |
| 2012 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| English Teacher | |
| Teach First | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Education | |
| 2012 | |
| 2014 | |
| £17657 | |
| £17657 |
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A day in the life of a English Teacher in the United Kingdom
My career history
I work at a school in Barnsley teaching English. I teach two year seven classes, two year eight classes, a year nine class and I have just taken on a year ten class. I've been working at the school since September and I am about half way through my first half term.
Where I hope to be in 5 years
I want to move into Teach First after my two years and improve education on a national scale. Although now I'm in the classroom I can't ever imagine leaving it.
My advice to students considering work
I did YSIS, York Cares, volunteered at the RSPCA and volunteered with the Children's Society which all helped me to be more selfless and to temper my behaviour to the needs of others. I would definitely think about volunteering if you're just starting at university. It gets you out of the bubble and helps you realise that there are lots of people in need.
My advice about working in my industry
Get some experience, YSIS was invaluable to me. Get stuck in, apply early (especially for English) and realise that you will have to make sacrifices in order to achieve in this career.
What I do
I get into school for about 7.30 and finish all my printing and photocopying for the day. I usually teach three lessons a day, although I can teach two or four depending on the day. I teach ninety minute lessons, although we do have double sessions which can be a stretch! I teach all key stage three, although I've just taken on someone else's year ten class. The school has just been judgded satisfactory, although it was previously inadequate, so we have our fair share of issues. OFSTED came in my second week after eight days of teaching which was pretty intense. I do lots of planning, sometimes working until midnight to get my lessons done, plus I have to do marking. But teaching is fantastic and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Skills I use and how I developed them
My English degree has been invaluable for my subject knowledge and also for improving my indepdent work ethic - I always have to be motivated to plan to very quick deadlines. I would not have got my job without my 2.1. I also feel that working with YSIS and working in a primary school really equipped me to deal with pupils, to minimise behavioural issues and to assess learning continuously.
What I like most
There are lots of hills of happiness. The children come from quite a poor catchment area, so of course there are problems. They always make me laugh though, they engage with things, they have incredibly strong opinions and they continually want to satisfy their curiosity. I have a very supportive department, but I'm very attached to my kids and if I get taken off sessions to do something else, I always miss them. You realise that you're responsible for them and that you might be the one person taking interest in their lives and their ambitions. It's a big responsibilty but one that I treasure.
What I like least
I can't complain, but of course we have behavioural issues, like any other school. The pupils can be testing, but the small victories always make it worthwhile.
What would I change? Not getting up at 6am!
Next steps...
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