TEACHERS

Various factors drove me to wanting to become a teacher: factors such as inspiring young people to succeed, watching children progress and also contributing to making a difference in someone’s life. However, another huge driving force was also this vision of having more BAME educators in schools. In my head, being a visible representation of both the Black and Muslim community would somehow be my own daily, personal resistance to injustice everywhere. Allowing young children to see an individual such as myself, holding such an important role in their life, would somehow push them to grow up with open minds and open hearts to people from different cultures. 

These are strange and sad times, and tough times for teachers. As soon as lockdown began I knew that my subject – drama – would be particularly vulnerable.

As we come to the end of lockdown (apparently), I am reflecting on my lockdown experience as an educator who lives with anxiety, and I have realised that it has been a double-edged sword. 

Google ‘teacher presence’ and you are welcomed by a sea of abstract and nebulous terms: ‘that special something,’ ‘the wow factor,’ ‘a certain vibe,’ ‘a personality that exudes confidence,’ ‘that special je ne sais quoi,’....

Eyres Monsell, the only Primary School to hold a Princess Royal Training Award for its work around mental health, has joined forces with TAP (Thank And Praise), enabling parents to digitally thank school staff.

Over the last few months, I feel like we have been suspended in reality, dangling along the edge of a black hole where every minute feels like hours or days… 

The Lockdown bombshell for pupils and teachers: “GCSE grades will be cancelled…”

To kick off the new school year, Manchester Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Education and Emile Education are hosting an evening to discuss how UK schools can best innovate Computing. Pro-vice chancellor Professor Richard Greene and Emile director Glen Jones are specifically keen for “as many teachers from Innovate My School’s community to attend as possible.” The evening of inspiration will take place on Thursday the 28th September, and tickets are available free-of-charge to teachers and school leaders.

We all feel anxious sometimes. Maybe it is going into a new situation such as starting a new job, or having to have a difficult conversation. The feeling of nervousness and anxiousness is completely normal, and an evolutionary necessity. However, for some people, like me, that feeling of anxiousness never goes away. You live with it day in, day out, and it can have quite a detrimental effect on your life and mental health.

Get out while you can!

That’s was an experienced member of staff said to me one day over lunch during my first term of teaching. This really is not what you need to hear during your NQT year! And the thing is, he wasn’t joking. He really meant it.

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