Class teacher Cheri shares her personal development at SWECET

 

 

 

Cheri Charles, Class Teacher at Stiffords Clay Primary School.

 

 

Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in education?

 

Of course! I began my journey in education as a Teaching Assistant in various schools across East London. At that time, I wanted to gain more experience in the field whilst doing something meaningful, so I took on a summer role at Resources for Autism, supporting children and young adults with autism at a summer play scheme.

I realised I loved working in this area and decided to pursue a master’s degree in special educational needs. To this day, I continue to be part of the team at Resources for Autism and help during the summer months.

When I felt ready to take the next step, I applied to undertake my PGCE at the University of Cumbria, completing the programme last year. Following my initial placement at Stiffords Clays, I am now back as a qualified teacher, which brings me to now.

 

Q: How were you supported by SWECET during your placements?

Looking back at my first-ever placement compared to now, I can see how much I have grown as a person, which is down to the support of the teachers, support staff, and everyone within the Senior Leadership Team at SWECET.

Starting out, I was shy. Despite having worked with children for years before, going from a Teaching Assistant to a class teacher was a big leap. It was completely different to what I had been used to.

In my second placement, I was responsible for teaching maths to a Year 4 class. Maths was never my strongest subject during my school years, and definitely not my favourite.

My initial self-doubt crept in, and I told myself I couldn’t handle it. However, my mentor was incredibly supportive and helped me to overcome my thoughts. Together, we role-played the class, where I was able to practise teaching lessons with her. Although it might sound silly, it proved very beneficial and bolstered my confidence in a subject that I initially lacked confidence in. My mentor was instrumental in turning what seemed like a daunting task into a manageable – and truly enjoyable – experience.

 

“My initial self-doubt crept in, and I told myself I couldn’t handle it. However, my mentor was incredibly supportive and helped me to overcome my thoughts… My mentor was instrumental in turning what seemed like a daunting task into a manageable – and truly enjoyable – experience.”

 

From then on, I continued to grow in confidence, and by the time I reached my last placement, teaching felt like second nature, all thanks to the supportive environment that SWECET created.

 

Q: What have you been most proud of at SWECET?

Getting through my first year as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) has been an incredible achievement for me.

I’ve made a conscious effort to soak in every bit of learning available. The ECT programme provided by SWECET, called Best Practice Network, has been instrumental in my teaching journey. I’ve participated in training sessions held once or twice a month, including online workshops covering various topics such as teaching standards.

These sessions not only offer valuable insights, but also allow you to engage with other ECTs, share best practices, and discuss ideas.

As well as immersive learning experiences, SWECET encourages you to have fun while working. One highlight from last summer was SWECET Festival, which offers us teachers and staff the chance to collaborate.

Collaboration is key at SWECET, and the Trust-wide training events further promote this. Belonging to the Trust makes a huge difference and allows me to speak to my peers without worrying about a question being silly. Everyone is incredibly approachable, and I feel very lucky to be a part of one big family.

 

Q: What would you say to someone who is looking to get into teaching?

Being a teacher is an extremely rewarding career. Seeing the progress that children make, seeing them grow in confidence and seeing their love for learning flourish are among the most fulfilling parts.

Not many people can say that they genuinely enjoy going to work every day, but as a teacher, the joy of being welcomed by children who are happy to see you and even miss you when you’re away – there’s just nothing quite like it. That alone makes the job incredibly special.

For those thinking about teaching as a career, I’d say, embrace the journey, even if you’re feeling reserved or public speaking isn’t your strong suit. I still remember the nerves I felt when teaching my first lesson by myself.

My advice would be to find a supportive environment and not be afraid to ask for help. Those fellow teachers and mentors who supported me played a huge role in shaping my journey, helping me to fall in love with teaching.