Tell us about you, why you opted for a career in education, and why you chose to study with Tes Institute
They say teachers affect eternity. I have lived that reality. I had some amazing teachers when I was growing up and their influences extended well beyond the academic. They were nurturing and were the reason I believed the profession can do great things for young people. I wanted to continue that and pay it forward.
Were you familiar with Tes before you applied? If so, what did you use Tes for before? If not, what was it about Tes Institute that stood out for you?
My association with Tes is purely through my employing school, The British School Muscat in Oman. The school registers aspiring teachers for the Straight to Teaching course. I loved the format and the flexibility of the course. The entire course was broken down into modules that consisted of online videos, reading tasks and interactions with other students on the course.
The support group on Facebook was fantastic when it came to resolving login and access issues. The team would check in regularly and were always at the end of an email to support with anything. That makes life easier for someone trying to balance home, work and professional development.
How did you find the application process?
The process was quite straight forward. At the outset, it was very clear what documentation was required and what the eligibility criteria were. Everything was explained through checklists and if there were any requirements we didn't meet, the course director had answers, either how we could obtain them or the alternatives.
How has this course supported your professional development and career goal?
Though I was a teacher long before taking up the course, I had no qualifications to teach the British National Curriculum to school-going students. This course allowed me to qualify and teach in a British School. Since I was already employed as support staff, this was the next step.
What do you enjoy about how the course is delivered?
Since I was employed at a school while doing the course, I was able to observe experienced professionals in their classrooms. It also allowed me to learn different styles and approaches to teaching. The format was accessible and everything was broken down into small steps. As I was working full time, the shorter module format helped me see progress and also provided me with a sense of achievement when each part was completed. The tutor would review the assignments and provide regular feedback too. This reassured me I was on the right track.
What did you enjoy most about the course?
Being able to study and connect with other student teachers even though we were geographically apart was a great experience. We got to discuss different experiences and teaching environments and also how we employed different strategies. The connection was one of the highlights of the course.
What types of support did you receive as a Tes Institute learner and how has this helped you progress?
I was provided access to a Facebook support group, a mentor in school and a tutor who would regularly communicate with the school about my progress and the areas I needed to develop. Everything was well documented and recorded. The standards I needed to develop were progressively measured and necessary support provided both in school and through Tes.
What would you tell another person who is thinking of applying for this course?
I would encourage them to go for it for sure; especially if they are already working in a school. Being able to learn and relate the theory to what's happening around you is an experience in itself. You become a better professional as you get to see it in practice and maybe even try it yourself. What works for one teacher may not work for another. That is the nature of the profession.
How would you sum up your experience in a sentence?
It’s been a fantastic and memorable learning experience.
