Part of the Etc.
Higher education student Abbey has moved a step closer to her dream job.
This summer the 24-year-old is not only celebrating completing her BA Hons in Education and Training but also securing a place as a trainee teacher with Middlesbrough Schools' Teaching Alliance.
"I am really pleased and also a bit nervous to start because this is the next step," she said.
Of the coveted position on the Schools Direct programme, she explained: "There's not many places available in each catchment area and it is quite a rigorous interview process."
Abbey, who previously studied A levels at SRC Bede Sixth Form, set about planning her route into teaching after successfully completing an apprenticeship at a private nursery.
Signing up for the FdA in Supporting Teaching and Learning at Stockton Riverside College with Teesside University, she said: “Being part-time the course suited me as I was working full-time.”
Just one year in she got her first job in a school as a teaching assistant and went on to be promoted to a higher level teaching assistant.
She said: "I was so pleased to get a job in a school as it gave me that first foot in the door. I was really honoured to become a higher level teaching assistant as I didn't think I would get that far in that space of time."
Progressing without question to the BA Hons top-up with just one additional year of study at the college, she said: "I always planned on doing the full degree."
And she loved the challenge of researching and writing her dissertation. "I would write my dissertation again," she said. "I loved it, you have so much freedom of choice."
She said handing in her final assignment was tinged with sadness but it also came with a great sense of achievement.
"Each year has gone really fast," she said. "You get to know the teachers so well. I was sad to leave."
With an exciting new chapter ahead, Abbey is looking forward to all that is to come.
Of working life in the classroom, she said: “It is even more rewarding than I thought it would be.
"When you try to teach something to a child that is struggling and they finally get it, it is a big achievement for the child but also for yourself. You know your practice is having a positive effect on that child.”
Do you want to know more about the fantastic opportunities available in education and training at Stockton Riverside College? Come along to our Higher Education Open Evening tomorrow (Wed 13th June) from 5pm to 7pm. Visit: www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/education-training/
This summer the 24-year-old is not only celebrating completing her BA Hons in Education and Training but also securing a place as a trainee teacher with Middlesbrough Schools' Teaching Alliance.
"I am really pleased and also a bit nervous to start because this is the next step," she said.
Of the coveted position on the Schools Direct programme, she explained: "There's not many places available in each catchment area and it is quite a rigorous interview process."
Abbey, who previously studied A levels at SRC Bede Sixth Form, set about planning her route into teaching after successfully completing an apprenticeship at a private nursery.Signing up for the FdA in Supporting Teaching and Learning at Stockton Riverside College with Teesside University, she said: “Being part-time the course suited me as I was working full-time.”
Just one year in she got her first job in a school as a teaching assistant and went on to be promoted to a higher level teaching assistant.
She said: "I was so pleased to get a job in a school as it gave me that first foot in the door. I was really honoured to become a higher level teaching assistant as I didn't think I would get that far in that space of time."
Progressing without question to the BA Hons top-up with just one additional year of study at the college, she said: "I always planned on doing the full degree."
And she loved the challenge of researching and writing her dissertation. "I would write my dissertation again," she said. "I loved it, you have so much freedom of choice."
She said handing in her final assignment was tinged with sadness but it also came with a great sense of achievement.
"Each year has gone really fast," she said. "You get to know the teachers so well. I was sad to leave."
With an exciting new chapter ahead, Abbey is looking forward to all that is to come.
Of working life in the classroom, she said: “It is even more rewarding than I thought it would be.
"When you try to teach something to a child that is struggling and they finally get it, it is a big achievement for the child but also for yourself. You know your practice is having a positive effect on that child.”
Do you want to know more about the fantastic opportunities available in education and training at Stockton Riverside College? Come along to our Higher Education Open Evening tomorrow (Wed 13th June) from 5pm to 7pm. Visit: www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/education-training/
