Why teaching? Why abroad?

I am in the middle.

I have been asking myself "why teaching?" for a number of years now. I think this is the first time I am beginning to reflect on why I have become a teacher in some depth. It all began when I was younger, 4-5 years old. This was an unusual time for my family and I, one which didn't impact me straight away because I was too young to understand but has impacted me as I have grown up.

Side note: I suggest you stop reading if you are expecting a superhero story about a teacher who changed my life and now I am following in their footsteps. It is not like that at all!

So let's start from the beginning(ish). My Dad, Gary, unfortunately died from a motorbike accident on August 23rd 2002 - when I was four years old. A significant time for a four year old as they usually begin school in September. Obviously my Mum was heartbroken and suddenly a single parent to three children. My sister and I started school (we are twins) and my brother returned to school to provide some normality into our lives. I didn't quite understand what had happened and I don't particularly remember anything about this from my early years except enjoying school. I can imagine the teachers fussing over us as they probably felt sorry on our behalf but I had a good start to my educational journey - beside personal circumstances.

In my heart I feel like my positive experience of school and the 'normality' made me fall in love with learning and structure. My Mum was (and still is) an incredible woman who always supported me and my choices in life. My Nan was also my hero. Words cannot explain how eternally grateful I am for all her help whilst I was growing up. She was my role model and would do anything to help me throughout my journey - a drive to encourage my love of learning. School continued as expected - I wasn't particularly bright but I had a strong growth mindset to assist my passion. One quote I often refer back to is "you can't change your situation, you can only change how you choose to deal with it" - I think I have achieved this so far in my life.

All of my teachers have been supportive and encouraging, maybe because I was a brown nose and always followed the rules. I would like to think it was because they saw my potential, who am I kidding? I worked hard to get my grades and had a clear vision of where I wanted my journey to go; life list 1:

1. School

2. Sixth form

3. Become a level 3 child practitioner

4. University

5. Teacher

6. Leading a subject

7. Lecturer/headteacher - this one is unclear so far

But somewhere between sixth form and teacher I decided to explore international teaching. I know the exact moment this happened! I was visiting my local university (Canterbury Christ Church) on an open day to explore the site and attend an introduction to Primary Education. My Mum and I walked to the hall where the talk was being held, little did I know this would change my life list. The director of Primary Education gave a speech and then introduced three students - 1st year, 2nd year and 3rd year - to talk about their experiences on the course. Christ Church provide an 'Alternative Learning Experience' module during second year where you experience education in a different setting - this could be a museum, SEN school or ABROAD! The third year student began her prepared speech and flipped the slides above her head. One picture appeared of this student and a young girl from Ghana (if I remember correctly), she told her story about teaching the girl the alphabet and working closely with other children. I look to my Mum, tears in my eyes because I am sensitive and knew this is the path I would want to take in the future.

Life list 2;

1. School (tick)

2. Sixth form (tick)

3. Become a level 3 child practitioner (almost tick)

4. University

5. Teacher (home or abroad)

6. Teacher (home or abroad)

7. Leading a subject (preferably RE)

8. Lecturer/headteacher - this one is still unclear

I applied to university, attended the interview and became successful. In September 2016 I begin my BA (hons) Primary Education 3-7 years with QTS! "My brown nosing and hard work has paid off... oh crap! I am not very good at academic writing".

My Mum and Nan were so pleased and proud of my achievements - obviously I got my brains from my Nan, as she always said!

I am not going to waffle on about University and going abroad for ALE - they are on the other blog posts. But I will jog your memory, I did go to Tanzania and experience education there for a month in January 2017. Now this gets a bit sombre but it is sort of relevant to my journey. It may seem I was passionate about teaching abroad and do it in a heartbeat when I finish my degree, but I had reservations. Before I explained my Nan being a role model and I adored her (we were really close!). My Nan became ill and I became her unofficial carer in my spare time - I would visit her everyday and sort out her affairs. I wasn't naive but I never thought about a life without her here. She would never intentionally hold me back but if she was still here I would never go abroad and leave her. She passed away just before I had to apply to go abroad with university, again I wouldn't have gone if she was still here. I did warn you it was sombre but relevant. Perhaps I wouldn't be writing this blog if she was still here.

I survived level 4 and 5 academic writing somehow and entered year 3 with my life list on my mind. I had a meeting with my Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) at the beginning of the year to discuss said list. I discussed teaching abroad and what I need to look out for to complete my NQT year if I wanted to do so. I left feeling informed and didn't follow it up anymore. At this point in time I thought I would complete my NQT year in the UK and then go abroad if I still wanted to. I was looking for jobs - a weird process if you ask me! I would see an advert for a school that appealed to me, criteria included but not limited to:

1. EYFS or KS1

2. No more than a three form entry school

3. Good OFSTED report or reviews on social media (I mean it is there, why not look!)

4. Close to home

5. Library

6. Children's work presented as an achievement and tool for learning not because the display policy said so.

I would then call the school and arrange a visit. I would arrive early because I hate being late and have my notebook with questions at the ready. When looking around I am gaining a feel for the school. Can I picture myself here? What were the staff like towards me? Does it have a library? LIBRARIES REALLY MATTER TO ME!

I visited some schools which were lovely and some which weren't for me.

Side note: I am not trying to shame schools!

I went to one where the person who was meant to be showing me around was held up - not a problem - they arranged for a teacher to show me around instead.

"What a lovely outside area you have!" I said - not lying it looked lovely. The teacher replied, "If you look closely this doesn't work and it is all breaking".

Okie dokie I thought, not really selling this to me. The teacher then took me around the classrooms and we finished the tour within 10 minutes.

(Me) "Do you have a school hall?"

(Teacher) "No, we use the village hall but sometimes we don't bother to do PE because it is too cold to walk there. Let me show you the staff room."

- no kidding it was tiny. I know schools have limited space but if you read on you may understand my point!

"Thank you for showing me around I really appreciate your time" and honesty I think.

I went back to the office to wait for the person who was originally meant to be showing me around. They took me into their office - which was four time the size of the staff room - and we had a chat. I thanked them and went. It didn't have a library, hall and the head had a bigger office than the staff room. This did not comply with my list at all. This is when I started to feel like I would never find a school which would tick off my criteria.

I went onto the guardian website - typed in 'international primary teacher' out of curiosity. Lots of schools came up, but one stood out; 'EYFS Teacher (NQTs welcome)'. This allows me to complete my NQT year, I enquired straight away. The lady called me that evening - Wednesday and answered as many questions as she could. I sent my application Thursday and received an email Friday offering me an interview on Sunday. The interview went really well (Skype) and I got the job!

In my gut this felt right!

Downside or blessing?

I can't visit the school to tick off items from my ridiculously high standard list.

I have been in contact with my colleagues in the EYFS and received photos of the classroom. Very positive so far! I am so excited to kick start my career in this way and fulfilling a goal which has been on and off for three years now. It has been a long and unusual journey to get half way through my life list. Of course I will miss my Mum, sister, brother, friends, nieces and nephews however this is an opportunity which I cannot pass.

Revised new life list:

1. School (tick)

2. Sixth form (tick)

3. Become a level 3 child practitioner (tick)

4. University (tick)

5. Teacher (abroad)

6. Teacher (home)

7. Begin my masters part-time

8. Lead a subject (preferably RE)

9. Lecturer/headteacher - this one is STILL unclear

The next time I post I will probably have moved and began my induction to the school. For any new NQTs, good luck with your own journey and I wish you all the best throughout the new academic year.