It’s no secret that I have been struggling to write my first blog. Because of this, I have decided to do a little introduction to myself, to ease myself in to this new blogging world!
I’m Amy, a second year trainee primary teacher at the University of Plymouth, specialising in ICT. I am a “mature” student at the age of 24 – that doesn’t seem right to me!
Becoming a teacher is all I have ever wanted to do, but without the necessary entry requirements to become one after leaving school at 17, I put this down as a dream that I would never achieve. I spent the next 6 years working in offices, mainly as a legal secretary which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, I had reached as high as I could ever reach as a secretary – working for the partner of the firm, and needed a new challenge so I took a big step and went back to college.
I did an Access to Higher Education course (which I thoroughly recommend) and surprised myself by achieving mostly Distinctions, followed by Merits. At school I was never academic, but I had just proved to myself that I actually was capable of producing some good work and having good ideas!
I applied for primary teaching and here I am! I was incredibly nervous of starting University at 23 – knowing that I would probably be older than those in my class – but it is not something I really notice any more. I live with five 19 year old boys and so I can safely say I have coped with the age gap!
Travel is something I am very passionate about in my life – with one of my goals in life being to go to as many countries as my age – in an attempt to encourage myself to try new places. I have been to 26 and I am 24 so I am ahead of myself!
I believe that I have gained a lot of life experience and developed myself greatly with my travelling and I am looking forward to being able to share my experiences with the children I teach – I was already able to use some pictures and memories of my time in Athens to help children on my last placement.
So, that’s me in a nutshell – wannabe teacher (will be!), passionate traveller, “mature” and I’m going to use this blog to share my thoughts on what I am learning at the University, so I hope you find it interesting!
Hello Amy.
ReplyDeleteA great post! I joined my primary PGCE at the 'mature' age of 25. Do you find having a bit of life experience useful in the class room?
Matt
Hi Amy
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear you finally got to do what you wanted to. I started teaching at 24 and still remember those first few years fondly. Keep up the passion cos on some days it can be pummelled but never lose sight of the main goal, the learning of the children.
Good luck
David
Hi Matt,
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting - never thought anyone would actually comment!
Are you teaching now then? I definitely think that having a bit of life experience has helped - I think it is a really important part of being a teacher so whenever I get a bit worried about the fact that I will be 27 by the time I graduate, I try to remember that I will be bringing something different to my teaching because of that.
Amy
Thanks for commenting David!
ReplyDeleteI think having the 6 years out has made me know exactly what I want to do without any doubt now so the passion is still there and hopefully always will be!
Amy