Introducing Katie - NQT

After fighting my way through my GCSE's, fluxing my A Levels, doing an additional two years at college to get into university and four years of a teaching degree - I have finally graduated and got myself my very first teaching job!

Although this should be a very exciting time, I can't help thinking about the past ten years and how tough it has been to achieve my dream. When I was 14, I started to have seizures totally out of the blue. These have been a part of my life ever since and although they have improved drastically, I still have them and it is often the injuries caused from the sudden drops which are the biggest problem. When applying for jobs, I worried about how to discuss my seizures and portray them in a positive light - yes they may be very debilitating, but all of my health problems have shaped me into a very strong, resilient person who doesn't give up without a fight. 

I did my teacher training in primary schools but I have always wanted to work with children who have special educational needs. I was offered a job in a special needs high school and I am definitely ready to rise to the challenge! By the end of my NQT year I will have worked with every age group from EYFS to college - the world is my oyster. 

I am unbelievably nervous about it all. You would think I would feel ready and excited at the prospect of starting my dream career, but every time it crosses my mind it fills me with dread. What if the children don't like me? What if I don't know how to meet the needs of these children? What if the staff don't like me? A thousand questions and no easy answers. I know it is only natural to worry, every NQT is in the same situation. But I am the most under-confident person when it comes to believing in myself, I always put myself down and don't believe in my skills. 

One week to go before two inset days and then I meet the learners on Wednesday 7th! I'm planning to have a team building/getting to know each other activity week before I start "proper" lessons - I'm struggling to plan without knowing the needs, strengths and weaknesses of the children. I have a number of subjects to get my head around - woodwork, maths, English, performing arts, NOCN and life skills. The plan is to enjoy my final week of freedom whilst doing little bits of work in preparation for September.

Good luck to all NQT's this year and I'm planning to write and update this blog with the highs and lows of a teaching career!