Why I went into teaching
There aren’t many jobs in which you get to make a real impact every single day or where you get instant, unfiltered feedback. We spoke to four women about why they chose a career in the classroom and to find out more about school life – from the funny stories to the “whoa” moments ›
Shalina Patel HISTORY TEACHER
Teaching, for me, is all about what I call the “whoa moments”. The other day, I was teaching a class about the Battle of Hastings in 1066. At the end of the lesson, I said to them that it was so significant because no one has conquered England since, and they all just went, “Whoa!” Those moments are so rewarding.
I went straight from completing my history degree into teaching training. I had volunteered as a teaching assistant while I was at university and I’d always really enjoyed it.
I’m especially committed to ensuring my students receive a diverse education. I teach them about feminism. Women can be invisible in textbooks, so it’s important to me that the students know about the women who were at the forefront of history.
Rob Lowe’s character in The West Wing, Sam Seaborn, gave this amazing speech about the importance of teachers. He said: “Education is the silver bullet. Education is everything.” I think education can change the world. It’s cheesy but true. That’s why we need really brilliant people in the profession.
Nassima Iggoute SPANISH AND FRENCH TEACHER
I always thought I’d work in fashion, and I got a job as a bridal coordinator for Oscar de la Renta after university. But shortly after I started, I went on a trip to Uganda with my old school – it was working with a charity there for orphaned children. One day, I was asked if I wanted to teach the children the alphabet. It was scary, but I’d never felt anything like it before. When I got home, I decided to apply for teacher training – and
I’ve never looked back.
I now teach at the same secondary school I went to myself. In a multicultural school, it’s nice for the students to see someone from a similar background. The minute they can relate to a teacher, something in them switches on.
The students can be very funny. Some of my Year 7s actually think I live in the school. I bumped into some of them in London’s Westfield shopping centre once and they were so shocked to see me in the outside world.
If you’re interested in teaching, I suggest getting some work experience: visit schools, observe lessons, speak to teachers. For me, it’s just the best job. When you teach a child something and they get it – that still blows my mind.
Claire Rowlinson FRENCH AND MANDARIN TEACHER
After university, I travelled around the world, recruiting international students for different universities. But after six years, I wanted to settle in one place and I realised that the best part of my job was the interaction with young people, so I decided to train as a teacher.
The best moments in teaching are when you almost see a switch go on in a student’s head. They forget all about trying to look cool and just want to find out more.
As I teach languages, the students seem to find it quite confusing that I’m from England. One day, we were talking about something in class and I said, “Back home…” A girl I’ve taught for three years asked if I was talking about back home in France. I’m from the Lake District.
This job is about so much more than just the subjects you teach, though. Hopefully, I’m developing inquisitive, open-minded, tolerant young people along the way.
You know how when you ask someone what their day was like, they often say, “Fine’’? As a teacher, you never just say, “Today was fine.’” There’s always something amazing that’s happened, or a challenging behavioural situation, or a kid has said something really funny. Every day’s different.
Gabrielle Alexander HEAD OF MATHS AND YEAR 6
I worked in PR after leaving university, but I tutored a bit as well. I wanted a job with a real purpose, so I applied for teacher training. The first time I taught in a classroom, I realised, “This is where I fit.”
When I was at primary school, I was in the bottom set for maths and it broke me, because I really love the subject. It was never something that came naturally to me and I think that’s why I love teaching it now.
The best bit of the job is the children. They have no filter. You could be teaching a lesson about algebra and a child will put up their hand and say, “Miss, it’s my auntie’s birthday,” and that will be it. They’re so funny.
You can really make a difference in teaching. We’re bringing up the next generation – people who could potentially find the cure for cancer or run the country. They need good role models. If you’re going to work hard at something, why not choose something that could change a child’s life?
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