Please can you describe your journey into education?
After gaining a degree in Mechanical Marine Engineering, I was approached by a company offering a position at sea as a trainee engineer. I accepted and went up to complete my basic training in Scotland. I was trained in firefighting, sea survival, and various maintenance schedules and skills. Following this, I went to sea and sailed across the world. But fairly quickly, I realised that life at sea was not for me.
I then got a job working for a company who was contracted by Rolls-Royce to work on their submarine program. I worked there for seven years. To be honest I found the work a little monotonous and decided that maybe a change of scenery might spark my interest again. I moved to work for another engineering company called MBDA. After giving it a couple of years, I again found myself a little disinterested.
At the same time, I had been coaching a children’s football team and found this enjoyable. This helped me decide I wanted to work with children and inspired me to pursue a career in teaching. I left my job and enrolled on a Primary PGCE at the University of Hertfordshire. After a year of training, I began teaching and have now been in the profession for the last twelve years.
What are they key things you love about your job?
I am never bored! Every single day is different. Working with children, albeit challenging, is rewarding. I have met some amazing young people over the years and have had great fun helping them progress.
The holidays aren't half bad either.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to work in a similar role?
This is tough. Don't think it will be easy. It is not a 9 – 3 job as many people think, but you get out what you put in. Working with children is great fun and no matter how hard a day may feel (and you will have many), you will always have a positive you can look back on and feel good about it.