Business teacher Alex trained to teach at Embley in 2020. He has now completed his ECT years at his current school, and credits United Teaching for laying his teaching foundations.
“United Teaching gave me a blend of practical experience and reflective learning that has shaped my teaching journey. I was guided every step of the way; the mentors I had were key to my development, offering guidance, constructive feedback, and career advice.”
Training in an independent school provides a unique experience, shaped by a distinct school structure that differs from academies or state-funded schools.
Sharing his thoughts on this, Alex said: “The smaller class sizes gave me the opportunity to form close, meaningful relationships with my students; there was also a strong focus on pastoral care, which has had a lasting impact on how I approach teaching today.
“Working alongside experienced colleagues in such a supportive atmosphere helped me build confidence in the classroom early on, and I felt encouraged to explore creative and innovative teaching strategies to tailor my lessons to the individual needs of pupils — something I’ve continued into my current role.”
Alex uses the skills learned in his training every day and works passionately to differentiate lessons to meet the diverse needs of his classes. He said: “I use tools like Canva and Curipod to make lessons engaging and accessible to all students, no matter their learning style.”
He added: “Another important skill I carry with me is classroom management, which was developed during my training and has been essential in creating a positive, structured learning environment.”
Outside of classroom skills, Alex loves to go above and beyond for his pupils and see the impact of his teaching. He said: “I set up an interactive project for my students and seeing them confidently apply what they had learned in class to practical scenarios was incredibly rewarding. That moment reaffirmed my decision to go into teaching.”
Now established at his current school, Alex looks forward to taking his A-level business students through their exams.
Leaving advice to future trainees, Alex added: “It’s okay to feel anxious or unsure; every teacher, no matter how experienced, has been there. Remember the nerves before your first lesson, and know that before long, you’ll walk into a classroom with confidence.”