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Tell us about yourself and why you opted for a career in education

I came into teaching from a maths degree, working as a cover teacher at Thames Park School. Being in the classroom made me realise it was what I wanted to do, so the school got in touch with Thurrock Teacher Training to help get me there. I started with small teaching episodes and built up to 80% of a full timetable by the end of the training.

How has your training prepared you for your teaching role?

I feel like I’ve been equipped with the tools I need to be successful: behaviour management, subject knowledge, pedagogy, assessment, and how to support SEND pupils and help every child reach high expectations. When I started, I knew what I wanted to do but wasn’t sure how it would happen. Now I feel confident I've got the tools to be the teacher I aspire to be.

What aspects of teaching do you feel most confident about?

Building classroom routines and creating a calm learning environment. If there’s one thing that’s been consistent throughout my training, it’s behaviour management, making sure every child feels safe to learn and can focus without distraction. That’s where I feel my strength is, and it’s what I’ll keep building on.

What aspects of teaching do you think will be most challenging?

Finding the sweet spot where every child, whatever their starting point, is stretched and supported to reach their potential. My classes have mixed ability, so it’s about knowing when to push a child further and when to scaffold, so nobody gets left behind and nobody’s held back. I know that responsibility sits with me, and I also have a mentor to bounce ideas off. I feel well prepared for it.

How are you feeling looking ahead to the new school year?

Excited. I recently met my incoming Year 6 class during transition day and got a real snapshot of what's ahead. I felt confident, not nervous. I’m looking forward to being responsible for their educational experience and to being part of shaping the next generation.

How are you feeling now that you’ve graduated?

Proud, but reflective. Looking back at how much I’ve grown, not just as a teacher but as a person, it’s been a long, intense, thorough year. I’m proud to have got to the end of it, and relieved too. I also feel like I’m at a point where I can pay it forward to all the teachers who helped me get to where I am, and I’ve been given the tools to make that happen.

How would you sum up your experience in a sentence?

Intense, but the most rewarding thing I’ve done. I came out of it not just trained to teach, but ready to.

Watch Enoch's learner story

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