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Waterman Primary
Waterman Primary
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Waterman Primary School,
The Boulevard, Rochford,
SS4 1QF
Head: Mrs.Welch
01702 546237
www.watermanprimaryschool.ik.org
admin@waterman.essex.sch.uk
admin@waterman.essex.sch.uk
“Being a New Teacher”
Talking with Louise Matthews, a newly qualified teacher at Waterman School (26th January 2012)
Talking with Louise Matthews, a newly qualified teacher at Waterman School (26th January 2012)
As we have been keeping a watching brief over Waterman’s during this past year or so, we have picked up on the expertise and experience that is here. That can be rather deceptive, however, making it all seem so easy. It was a delight, therefore, to be able to talk to Louise, who is a brand new teacher, and find out just what it is like being a new teacher in today’s world. From our general knowledge and experience of teachers, we conclude that Louise’s experience is not unusual and hope it will give fresh insight into the teaching world today for our readers, (especially those who make unknowing comments about teachers’ holidays!) Read what Louise has to say and then marvel at the dedication and commitment of so many in the teaching profession.
Rochford Life: Louise, how long have you been here?
Louise: I only started here last September. I’m an NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher) and I’ve been here since then, so not long at all.
RL: So you are totally brand new!
Louise: I am. I’ve done training in other schools but this is my first actual job as a teacher. I did something completely different before as an assistance buyer for Wallace in the clothing industry.
RL: What made you come into teaching?
Louise: I had always thought about maybe doing teaching when I was younger but I thought then that I didn’t have enough life experience, so I put it aside. I went to university and did English and Communication Studies. Afterwards I went into banking for a little while, and then from there went into the fashion industry, because that was something I was also interested in, which I did really enjoy. But I was always thinking that maybe I should do teaching because it was at the back of my mind all the time, because I had always loved working with children. I used to work in a summer crèche when I was younger and really enjoyed it, so I came to a point where i thought it’s time to give it a go. So, i went back to university and did a PGCE Course (postgraduate certificate in education) for just over a year, and now I’m a teacher!
RL: Wow, that was quite a change!
Louise: Oh yes, and it’s a bit scary because it seems so quick, changing from that career, and then a year later I’m teaching. The PGCE course is quite quick, it’s very intense and you have to learn a lot quickly, but i suppose you really only learn properly when you start working. You have quite long experiences in school in the course but really there is only so much you can learn in six to eight weeks in other schools, and it’s not until you start properly that you really do find what it’s all about.
RL: It has always struck me that to be a teacher you have to be quite an outward going person?
Louise: Yes, I suppose i am friendly and open and I suppose outward going and of course love being with children as well.
RL: And of course the other side of it is that you do have to relate to parents as well.
Louise: Yes, you do have to be a people-person and definitely approachable, and be able to listen to what others have to say. You do have to deal with a lot of things as a teacher.
RL: So how has it been? Has it been living up to your expectations?
Louise: It’s been really, really tough! It’s been really, really hard! The amount of work that is required of you is immense, and I’m a bit of a perfectionist, I think, but as a newly qualified teacher you’re still learning and so everything is not perfect straight away. This class is mine, Garfield class, and when i first started it was years 2,3 and 4 mixed, but i only have years 2 & 3 now because the 4’s went up to join the older class group.
RL: Many teachers seem to have a specialism. Do you come in with anything particular?
Louise: No, you don’t specialise in your PGCE, you cover everything because as a primary school teacher you have to know a little bit about everything. After I’ve had my first year here, you perhaps then think about heading a certain subject, so I might take on, say, Art, or something like that, because the other teachers have subjects that they oversee and they look at budgets and resources and that sort of thing for that subject.
RL: How have you found it as your first school?
Louise: The staff here are lovely and are really, really supportive which really helps and on the whole the children are. As with any school today, some of them come from hard backgrounds so they have a lot of things going on in their minds which you have to take into consideration but it’s a lovely school, it really is! It’s got a nice feel about it and i have enjoyed it. It is very hard work and i won’t deny that. I have to work every evening at home as well.
RL: Do you have a social life at all?
Louise: Not really; it’s getting slightly better. There was a stage where I literally did nothing but work but once you get into your routines it does get better, and when you’ve done your first year you have your lesson plans to lean on and you know what works and what doesn’t. So, yes, it is getting slightly better!
RL: You as a person? Supposing you did have a social life, what would you do with it?
Louise: I used to like a lot of sport and used to play netball, i was a member of the Gym, I used to go running. Things like that have gone by the wayside for me so i really want to get back into them and do more sport when i can. I recently went to Roller City. I love dancing, going out to dinner with my friends, being with family, things like that really.
RL: Well roll on the end of the year then! Did you find yourself working through the Christmas holidays?
Louise: Yes, I’m afraid so. I did have some time off but there is a lot to do and especially, as a new teacher, it is so new that it takes you that much longer to do the planning and so on. It is getting easier.
RL: But at the moment the fulfilment of being with the kids is carrying you through?
Louise: Yes, I think so. When you see that what you are doing is having an impact and it is making a difference to children’s lives, I love that and it is really satisfying, and much more so than my other job.
RL: Well thank you Louise for sharing your experience of this first year, and for your honesty in revealing the toughness and the rewards of it. Thank you again. May the year indeed get easier as it passes!
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Louise: I am. I’ve done training in other schools but this is my first actual job as a teacher. I did something completely different before as an assistance buyer for Wallace in the clothing industry.
RL: What made you come into teaching?
Louise: I had always thought about maybe doing teaching when I was younger but I thought then that I didn’t have enough life experience, so I put it aside. I went to university and did English and Communication Studies. Afterwards I went into banking for a little while, and then from there went into the fashion industry, because that was something I was also interested in, which I did really enjoy. But I was always thinking that maybe I should do teaching because it was at the back of my mind all the time, because I had always loved working with children. I used to work in a summer crèche when I was younger and really enjoyed it, so I came to a point where i thought it’s time to give it a go. So, i went back to university and did a PGCE Course (postgraduate certificate in education) for just over a year, and now I’m a teacher!
RL: Wow, that was quite a change!
Louise: Oh yes, and it’s a bit scary because it seems so quick, changing from that career, and then a year later I’m teaching. The PGCE course is quite quick, it’s very intense and you have to learn a lot quickly, but i suppose you really only learn properly when you start working. You have quite long experiences in school in the course but really there is only so much you can learn in six to eight weeks in other schools, and it’s not until you start properly that you really do find what it’s all about.
RL: It has always struck me that to be a teacher you have to be quite an outward going person?
Louise: Yes, I suppose i am friendly and open and I suppose outward going and of course love being with children as well.
RL: And of course the other side of it is that you do have to relate to parents as well.
Louise: Yes, you do have to be a people-
RL: So how has it been? Has it been living up to your expectations?
Louise: It’s been really, really tough! It’s been really, really hard! The amount of work that is required of you is immense, and I’m a bit of a perfectionist, I think, but as a newly qualified teacher you’re still learning and so everything is not perfect straight away. This class is mine, Garfield class, and when i first started it was years 2,3 and 4 mixed, but i only have years 2 & 3 now because the 4’s went up to join the older class group.
RL: Many teachers seem to have a specialism. Do you come in with anything particular?
Louise: No, you don’t specialise in your PGCE, you cover everything because as a primary school teacher you have to know a little bit about everything. After I’ve had my first year here, you perhaps then think about heading a certain subject, so I might take on, say, Art, or something like that, because the other teachers have subjects that they oversee and they look at budgets and resources and that sort of thing for that subject.
RL: How have you found it as your first school?
Louise: The staff here are lovely and are really, really supportive which really helps and on the whole the children are. As with any school today, some of them come from hard backgrounds so they have a lot of things going on in their minds which you have to take into consideration but it’s a lovely school, it really is! It’s got a nice feel about it and i have enjoyed it. It is very hard work and i won’t deny that. I have to work every evening at home as well.
RL: Do you have a social life at all?
Louise: Not really; it’s getting slightly better. There was a stage where I literally did nothing but work but once you get into your routines it does get better, and when you’ve done your first year you have your lesson plans to lean on and you know what works and what doesn’t. So, yes, it is getting slightly better!
RL: You as a person? Supposing you did have a social life, what would you do with it?
Louise: I used to like a lot of sport and used to play netball, i was a member of the Gym, I used to go running. Things like that have gone by the wayside for me so i really want to get back into them and do more sport when i can. I recently went to Roller City. I love dancing, going out to dinner with my friends, being with family, things like that really.
RL: Well roll on the end of the year then! Did you find yourself working through the Christmas holidays?
Louise: Yes, I’m afraid so. I did have some time off but there is a lot to do and especially, as a new teacher, it is so new that it takes you that much longer to do the planning and so on. It is getting easier.
RL: But at the moment the fulfilment of being with the kids is carrying you through?
Louise: Yes, I think so. When you see that what you are doing is having an impact and it is making a difference to children’s lives, I love that and it is really satisfying, and much more so than my other job.
RL: Well thank you Louise for sharing your experience of this first year, and for your honesty in revealing the toughness and the rewards of it. Thank you again. May the year indeed get easier as it passes!
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