The Ex Teacher's Diary

Having finished my undergraduate degree, I sort of fell into a TA role. I’d ummed and ahhed about pursing law (like my siblings) or a teaching degree and I was lucky enough to know a lovely lady who worked at a nearby Prep school and offered me the opportunity to get some real hands on experience. It was possibly the most valuable year in my teaching journey as I got to experience working with lots of different teachers as well as having a practice run at teaching. I was sold!

So the next year I completed my PGCE and felt I’d found my calling, particularly hoping my career would focus on teaching upper key stage 2 and definitely NOT EYFS!

I applied for two jobs. The first I didn’t get as it went to a current student teacher already working at the school. (On a side note, I really wish schools would disclose this to avoid rejection). Lucky me because the right school was waiting for me to fall into and fall into it I almost did. Having looked around this idyllic village first school, I was determined to work there. The preapplication school visit was memorable and I felt I’d definitely made an impression. I just wasn’t convinced it was the right impression – is being offered a cold cup of tea a good sign? Turns out it was and the following September I joined with all the excitement and inexperience of a newly qualified teacher. The first year in key stage 2, which would be my only year not teaching in key stage 1 and EYFS. Funny how plans change but I enjoyed being with the younger children and developing my phonics teaching as well as exploring how to make early maths practical, engaging and relevant.

I was so lucky and I still feel so lucky to have spent the first 9 years of teaching here. It wasn’t perfect – nothing is but we (the staff) all cared for each other and most importantly the children always came first. During these 9 years, I spent 6 as the Assistant Head, a role I relinquished when my third baby came along – something had to give. And I think from then on, teaching wasn’t quite the same for me. I’d love being a supportive role model to my colleagues or resolving issues that might have arisen with parents. I enjoyed being a part of the inner workings of the school and I still loved teaching.

I decided it was time for a change and left to a different school. I was full of excitement when I landed the new job and had always thought this would be my next school. But it just didn’t work. It didn’t ‘feel’ right and although I still loved teaching, I just couldn’t continue and so I left.

And that was that.

The end of the teaching career.