They tell us about our history, teach us new languages, introduce us to our favourite authors and help us decide who we want to be. Many of us have fond memories of our favourite teachers. But what's it like to be the one standing at the front of the classroom?
English teacher and Head of Literacy, Verity Sharp, shares some of the things her time in teaching has taught her.
Education gives young people choices
"We don’t all have the same start in life. Education offers the biggest chance to level the playing field. If a child leaves school with a set of good GCSEs, they'll be able to choose their own path, rather than having their future set out for them. Last year, I got to catch up with some ex-students when they came back to pick up their GCSE certificates. Hearing how they were getting on at college and seeing them flourish as young adults meant a lot to me. I believe everyone should have access to an excellent education, regardless of their background."
It's all about the lightbulb moments
"There's nothing more satisfying than the ‘ooh’ noise students make when things click into place and they finally understand something you've been trying to teach. Those lightbulb moments can happen in lots of different ways. A few years ago, I was reading Jane Eyre with a Year 9 class, and I remember a student being in tears over the death of a character. That show of emotion was proof they'd really understood and engaged with the text."
Kids are hilarious (and they miss nothing)
"Whether it’s a child reading lines with particular comedic timing in English, a pupil dancing into your form room on a Monday morning, or a joke a student shares with you at break-time, kids can make you laugh on a daily basis, and sometimes at the most unexpected moments.
"They also notice the smallest things, from typos in your PowerPoint, to a new haircut, to the days you get dressed in a hurry. In my training year, I was rushing to get ready for work and pulled on a pair of plain black trousers. When I looked in the mirror, I realised that they were full of creases, but decided to wear them anyway as I thought no one would notice. I was wrong!"
You can make a real impact every day
"The unique thing about teaching is that you get to see the results of your work every day. Each lesson and each interaction with a child is an opportunity to make a difference. It can be as simple as smiling and greeting a student by name as they enter the classroom, or as complex as helping a student to analyse a metaphor in Macbeth. The rewards are instant."
Patience is indeed a virtue
"Some days, a child or a class can test your patience more than usual. Perhaps it’s been raining and the children haven’t been able to go outside at lunch. Or maybe, they simply just don’t get it. For whatever reason, there are times when a child or a class will not do what you're asking. But, ultimately, these are also the moments that will make you so much more creative and resourceful as a teacher."
Every child has limitless potential
"From the bottom set in Year 7 to the top set in Year 11, I’ve taught both ends of the spectrum. While the rewards and challenges might be different, one constant is that each and every child is full of potential. Students might join the school with different starting points, and they might learn at different rates, but all children can make progress. What’s more, along the way they will develop and discover their own unique talents and interests that can often leave you feeling amazed."
Teachers have the unique opportunity to inspire the next generation, helping them to feel empowered and engaged. If you're interested in learning more about a career in teaching and the training options available to you, head to Get into Teaching
Alison is head of content for the Good Housekeeping Institute, responsible for product reviews across homes, beauty, wellness, family and food & drink. She lives by the William Morris quote that you should “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
Alison has over 15 years' experience as a lifestyle editor and has written features on everything from misophonia to how to dress like Claudia on The Traitors. She has also interviewed everyone from Dame Joanna Lumley to the Kardashians.
In her spare time, you'll find her hanging out with Monty the cocker spaniel and refreshing the Sezane website every five seconds.
