Rachel Shaw
STEM teacher, Department of Education
Teaching can be a rewarding job that offers fulfilment and growth opportunities. Moreover, teachers play an important role in empowering the future women of STEM.
“On my first day of teacher training, I was told that teaching was acting and to treat each lesson as a performance whereby you have to captivate your audience. I knew immediately I was in the right place,” says Rachel, a teacher who studied Science along with Contemporary Theatre and Performance.
Discovering a talent for teaching
In between acting jobs, Rachel secured a role working in a school as a cover supervisor. She enjoyed it so much that she quickly secured a permanent role.
- “Several years flew by, and I was itching to become a fully-fledged teacher. Science had always been my passion in school; being on the other side of the teacher’s desk made me fall straight back in love with it. I haven’t left my love for acting behind; every year, I support the school musical. The students are gobsmacked that I’m a science teacher that can sing!”
Supportive environment in STEM
When Rachel started teaching, she felt like she had been doing it for years. “You are so supported during your training that by the time it’s your turn to teach, you’re completely ready to take the floor. I am not what students expect a woman in STEM to be like, and they were so receptive towards me.”
As a form teacher, Rachel’s students know they go to her with any issues. “I will support them and make sure they are having a positive school experience.”
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Rewards of a teaching job
“Being a teacher is such a special job,” Rachel insists. “While you will never fully know the depths you have reached in your students’ lives, they will remember you forever. You spend time with your students every day and guide them through pinnacle moments in their life; seeing them grow and develop as people is simply amazing. Your students will have ups and downs, but they know you will always be there to support them. Having that responsibility and impact is just incredible.”
One-on-one support from expert advisers is available to people who are interested in a teaching career. Dedicated advisers can offer practical advice and ways to fund training to become a teacher.
Get matched with an adviser and get help with your teaching application.
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