Get into Teaching - Jen
Our PGCE & Cert Ed courses are a great way to get into teaching and some of our own staff have qualified through this route. Jen is one of these staff, we asked her about her experience on the Cert Ed course.
'I had previously worked for Children's services, Early Help at Bradford Council Family Hub running parenting courses. As part of this role, I supported parents who struggled with managing family life and offered practical ways to implement rules and boundaries to reduce unwanted behaviour. Before I was a parenting worker my role within the council was an Early Years Practitioner. I ran a variety of playgroups for children aged 0-5 years. This also involved working in the family home where I completed birth visits, 2 years offer information and play in the home sessions. My role changed due to budget cuts in the council and I obtained the role of Parenting Worker. After running the courses I enjoyed facilitating groups and making a difference to families lives and I began my journey towards teaching young people in Childcare.
During Covid I started the Level 3 Award in Education and Training course on the basis that if I enjoyed it I’d move onto the Cert Ed, which I did. Whilst I completed the Cert Ed I was volunteering at college so I could gain the teaching experience and hours that were required for the course. I did this alongside my parenting role at the Family Hub. I qualified as a childcare lecturer at the end of the 2 year Cert Ed course and left my role as parenting worker to work solely as a lecturer at the college.
I loved doing the Cert Ed, looking back I was doing quite a lot at once - studying, working and volunteering to get my teaching hours, I don’t know how I did it but it was definitely worth it. The teachers were amazing and offered help and support and a push of motivation when I needed it.
I love being a teacher and really enjoy the fact I am making a difference to childcare workers of the future! It's full on but worth it and a great new challenge!'
Interested in getting into teaching? See our Teacher Training courses here
Want to join our team of ‘Great People’? See all of our current Shipley College vacancies here.