Tracy - ESP Teacher |
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I have been teaching for 2 ½ years. The first 1 ½ was as a supply teacher.
I trained to become a teacher later in life. I had spent 13 years working within Preschools whilst my children grew up, gaining much experience and a part time degree in Early Childhood Studies through Plymouth University. Initially I thought I would stay working within early years, however my confidence grew, and I enrolled in a PGCE with an Early Years speciality with Exeter Consortium. I am now teaching at my main training placement school, something that I realised I really wanted after my first term in training. I teach a mixed Year 1/2 class and couldn’t be happier.
Why did you choose to become a supply teacher?
I did not manage to secure a full-time position after my PGCE. Having trained through Exeter Consortium I already knew some of the team at ESP and knew how friendly and helpful they were. It seemed a logical progression to sign up with them until I secured a long-term contract. I knew the choice of school had to be right for the permanent move and supply teaching allowed me to experience a wide number of different types of school over a larger area. It also allowed me to develop my classroom practice without the additional pressure of long-term planning and assessment commitments.
Experience of supply teaching – has it been what you expected or different? How did you find facing new schools and experiences?
I was very nervous to begin with, but ESP staff were very supportive and friendly. I was adamant I was only available to work within Early Years and KS1 and so initially the number of placements was slow, however after Autumn half term I was working 3 or 4 days a week. I had expected to be able to plan my week, thinking there would be numbers of advanced bookings, but the reality was most of my bookings came from ‘early morning phone calls’ to cover sickness. As I was keen to work this wasn’t a problem and actually the majority of schools gave you a very friendly welcome as they were so relieved to see you arrive. I travelled wider distances than I initially thought I would, but this was excellent for my own personal development as I taught at seaside towns, city schools and small country village schools. I turned up to one village school expecting to teach a Reception/Year 1 class only to be asked if I would teach a 2/3 Class? I may have reluctantly said yes on arrival but spent a very enjoyable further 3 weeks covering long term sickness, my confidence boosted hugely. It was this placement that encouraged me to take a short-term temporary contract in a Year 3 class for a term.
I finally managed to get a part-time position in a school I really wanted but continued to do supply work. By combining the two ensured I was physically and mentally ready for the rigors of the full-time position I now hold.
Why did you choose to work with Exeter Supply Partnership?
I knew the staff were friendly, supportive and helpful after meeting a lot of them through my training with Exeter Consortium. I also knew I would be able to access professional development through the courses and symposiums they ran. Finally, as a supply teacher you often bump into supply teachers from other agencies. Whereas they often complained about the number of bookings or fees they received, I never had such reason to moan.
As a supply teacher what are your go to back up resources if there is no planning available?
I had a stand-alone Literacy lesson based on a book I used to take with me. I knew how I could vary it for children aged between Reception and KS1. I also had a behaviour management book which contained various educational games I could use in case of emergency. My subscription to Twinkl was also a must although access to a laptop could not always be guaranteed.
What 3 benefits do you think there are to supply teaching/ working with ESP?
Make sure you enter each school with a smile on your face. If you get opportunity to interact with the staff make comments about the school or class positively, even if the class you get are difficult. I found the words ‘interesting’ and ‘a bit of a character’ covered most things tactfully and got you a knowing smile in return.
Don’t be afraid to set out your expectations for behaviour right at the beginning. If you are told “Mr/Mrs. ___ let’s us do this” just explain “that’s OK but for today the class will be doing it this way”. Be firm whilst smiling a lot and it never hurts to have some stickers in your tool kit as well.
I trained to become a teacher later in life. I had spent 13 years working within Preschools whilst my children grew up, gaining much experience and a part time degree in Early Childhood Studies through Plymouth University. Initially I thought I would stay working within early years, however my confidence grew, and I enrolled in a PGCE with an Early Years speciality with Exeter Consortium. I am now teaching at my main training placement school, something that I realised I really wanted after my first term in training. I teach a mixed Year 1/2 class and couldn’t be happier.
Why did you choose to become a supply teacher?
I did not manage to secure a full-time position after my PGCE. Having trained through Exeter Consortium I already knew some of the team at ESP and knew how friendly and helpful they were. It seemed a logical progression to sign up with them until I secured a long-term contract. I knew the choice of school had to be right for the permanent move and supply teaching allowed me to experience a wide number of different types of school over a larger area. It also allowed me to develop my classroom practice without the additional pressure of long-term planning and assessment commitments.
Experience of supply teaching – has it been what you expected or different? How did you find facing new schools and experiences?
I was very nervous to begin with, but ESP staff were very supportive and friendly. I was adamant I was only available to work within Early Years and KS1 and so initially the number of placements was slow, however after Autumn half term I was working 3 or 4 days a week. I had expected to be able to plan my week, thinking there would be numbers of advanced bookings, but the reality was most of my bookings came from ‘early morning phone calls’ to cover sickness. As I was keen to work this wasn’t a problem and actually the majority of schools gave you a very friendly welcome as they were so relieved to see you arrive. I travelled wider distances than I initially thought I would, but this was excellent for my own personal development as I taught at seaside towns, city schools and small country village schools. I turned up to one village school expecting to teach a Reception/Year 1 class only to be asked if I would teach a 2/3 Class? I may have reluctantly said yes on arrival but spent a very enjoyable further 3 weeks covering long term sickness, my confidence boosted hugely. It was this placement that encouraged me to take a short-term temporary contract in a Year 3 class for a term.
I finally managed to get a part-time position in a school I really wanted but continued to do supply work. By combining the two ensured I was physically and mentally ready for the rigors of the full-time position I now hold.
Why did you choose to work with Exeter Supply Partnership?
I knew the staff were friendly, supportive and helpful after meeting a lot of them through my training with Exeter Consortium. I also knew I would be able to access professional development through the courses and symposiums they ran. Finally, as a supply teacher you often bump into supply teachers from other agencies. Whereas they often complained about the number of bookings or fees they received, I never had such reason to moan.
As a supply teacher what are your go to back up resources if there is no planning available?
I had a stand-alone Literacy lesson based on a book I used to take with me. I knew how I could vary it for children aged between Reception and KS1. I also had a behaviour management book which contained various educational games I could use in case of emergency. My subscription to Twinkl was also a must although access to a laptop could not always be guaranteed.
What 3 benefits do you think there are to supply teaching/ working with ESP?
- A friendly admin team in the office.
- CPD opportunities.
- A fair salary for a day’s work.
Make sure you enter each school with a smile on your face. If you get opportunity to interact with the staff make comments about the school or class positively, even if the class you get are difficult. I found the words ‘interesting’ and ‘a bit of a character’ covered most things tactfully and got you a knowing smile in return.
Don’t be afraid to set out your expectations for behaviour right at the beginning. If you are told “Mr/Mrs. ___ let’s us do this” just explain “that’s OK but for today the class will be doing it this way”. Be firm whilst smiling a lot and it never hurts to have some stickers in your tool kit as well.
