Ask Lucy: Your teaching questions answered Teach First’s Lucy Brown on her daring attempt to educate others from a very unfamiliar world

Teaching is often tricky – just ask Lucy Brown. Last month the History teacher was plunged into the spring term, but she faced a brick wall as the students’ negativity remained. Despite her tough ordeal, she has stayed dedicated to her chief purpose of gaining qualified teacher status. Meeting up with her after a long day at school in Gillingham, Kent, she conveys what it’s like to be immersed amongst misfortune, frustration and scarce resources. It seems the students do not share her passion for education.

EMMACLAIRESMITH ON EDUCATION…AND WHATEVER

Emma Claire Smith

anattempttoeducate.blogspot.com, Tuesday 24 February 2014

I always seem to be asked, why did I decide to teach? To put it simply, my own

education has enthused me to help others. Luckily, I cannot remember huffing and

puffing at lifeless lessons because I was constantly encouraged to succeed. It is hard as a

child to appreciate an inspiring teacher - often we only remember the ones that gave out

the best sweeties. I now savour my education and recognise that the chance I had, not

all children have, and this is unjust. Every child must be given a chance to get an

excellent education, to relish their education and throughout life this should create a

pathway to additional opportunities. Fulfilling this task is why I decided to teach.

Being privately educated has not hindered my teaching, but sometimes my understanding. No one can alter their own past, but the present and future can always be changed. So in a way you need to think about the role your background may play, but it is an unchangeable period of life, so I try my best not to fret about it too much. There are certain aspects of my students’ lives that I will never be able to identify with. I can sympathise, but frankly I will never be able to fully connect with their tough young lives. During the year I have become certain about this. I attempt to understand each of my student’s and I try and turn a class into a team and convince each student that they have potential.

The start of every lesson, during the first month, was like racing for the reduced bakery aisle (laughs)! You immediately capture that excitement and hook it onto concentrating on your target. I was incredibly apprehensive, drained – and definitely very scared – before each lesson even begun. Bizarre is how I would categorise it: one month ago I was undergoing teacher training, the next I was expected to be a highly responsible grown-up. Practicing my posture, tone of voice and hand movements repeatedly beforehand only offered hope that I would be able to control 30 children.

The start of every lesson, during the first month, was like racing for the reduced bakery aisle (laughs)! You immediately capture that excitement and hook it onto concentrating on your target. I was incredibly apprehensive, drained – and definitely very scared – before each lesson even begun. Bizarre is how I would categorise it: one month ago I was undergoing teacher training, the next I was expected to be a highly responsible grown-up. Practicing my posture, tone of voice and hand movements repeatedly beforehand only offered hope that I would be able to control 30 children.

Planning lessons and behaviour strategies is my holiday. Teaching is not like university - deadlines can no longer be crammed into one week. I used to think that saying, ‘patience is a virtue’, was nonsense, but preparing definitely puts this into action. Sailing used to be a hobby, yet now it’s a real treat because planning has taken over. I envisaged using my holidays to sail the Caribbean – how wrong was I? Now, ordering strawberry scented stickers is my ultimate idea of fun! (Just kidding) I do still enjoy a good ol’ pint down the local. Nonetheless, teaching is tough, but that’s what I signed up for.

The one thing I would change from last year is the amount I yelled. I’ve learnt how to stay relaxed and i’m far more chilled out. If someone has been filming, I dread to think how often I raised my voice. My top tip to any new teacher would be to have a stress ball – clutch it tight when you feel like you’re going to explode! Shouting isn’t

worth the energy. It really does drain enthusiasm and will leave you weary by the end of the day. This journey has definitely taught me that and an awful lot more about who I really am.

Teachers are far tougher on their own mishaps than any of their students. We are called ‘trainee’ teachers for a reason. It is vital to take a breather and relax. Also, look to the future rather than regretting past mistakes. Just don't be so hard on yourself. You’re developing just as much as the students, who will hopefully try to grow too. It's about learning from experience – I’ve all made mistakes, learnt from them, learnt from them, got back up quickly and carried on. Remember: embrace the journey, both the highs and lows.