Tori Houghton: Primary SCITT Trainee 2021/22
"I want to be able to help other children to find their own spark and passion within life. A major factor of this is not letting your past impact on where you can go in the future. "
Tori Houghton, Primary SCITT trainee.
At the Sheffield SCITT we really do get the best trainees! Tori, one of our exceptional primary trainees talks us through not only her teacher trainee journey but also the circumstances that have shaped her character and the qualities she brings with her to the teaching profession.
I have a degree in Childhood Studies which examined the phenomena of childhood from the ages of 0-19. A very broad spectrum! I soon realised that my passion was dedicated towards primary school children, particularly ages 7+. My first placement was at Highgate Primary Academy in Year 2 and I am looking forward to the start of my second placement at St Mary’ school..
What made you decide to train to become a teacher?
The million dollar question! Well, I cannot begin to explain how nervous I was for my SCITT interviews. It was a real ‘pinch me’ moment because going into teaching is something that I have speculated about for all of my life (very cliché but true). I was born as a result of a teenage pregnancy, I grew up on a council estate for the first 10 years of my life, my parents spilt when I was 2, my baby sister died when I was 12 and finally, my Dad died as a result of his ill mental health. Sorry if that comes across morbid but I basically categorised my life into major factors. These factors are what society subconsciously stigmatises and assumes that these are not the appropriate conditions to raise a child. In these circumstances, the child was me! However, I have always had instilled within me to have a passion for something and an end goal to aspire to. Education in many ways has guided me through my life journey and helped me to have a focus. Basically, I want to be able to help other children to find their own spark and passion within life. A major factor of this is not letting your past impact on where you can go in the future.
What qualities do you have that you think will help you in the teaching profession?
I am incredibly passionate about anything that I set my mind to. I believe that I am a really genuine person and will be able to relate to the children and their experiences.
“Being able to be in school everyday means that you are on a journey just like the children are. No other course could offer you the same amount of rich experience!
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Did you get any school experience before starting, if so, how did you go about securing some teaching experience?
As part of my degree, it was required that we secured 120 hours within a placement setting of our choice. As I have always wanted to be a teacher, I spent this time in school (funnily enough the same school where I have just completed the first term of my teacher training). Prior to this, I also volunteered in schools to help with reading etc.
How has your first term of teacher training been?
Genuinely, more amazing than I could have ever imagined. It is crazy how I’m just 3 months, you can build up such a positive professional relationship with the children.
What responsibilities and tasks have you taken part in at your placement school?
In accordance with the Sheffield SCITT requirements, my responsibilities and tasks within school have increased each week. For example, at the very beginning of the term, I was responsible for taking the register and playground duty. Compared to more recently, I have been responsible for planning up to 5 English and 5 Maths lessons each week.
What are your favourite aspects of the course so far?
Without a doubt, the interactive nature. Being able to be in school everyday means that you are on a journey just like the children are. No other course could offer you the same amount of rich experience!
Have you found the SCITT to be supportive and welcoming?
The SCITT has been very supportive and developmental. It can feel very daunting at first, thinking wow I’m training to be an actual teacher, especially if it is a profession that you have always dreamed of. However, the SCITT programme ensures that you are supported each week by providing a focus of what you need to achieve. This is extremely useful to help keep you on track and are developing your practice.
What are your aspirations for the future, once you are a qualified teacher?
Once I become a qualified teacher, without a doubt I am looking forward to having my own classroom and immersing myself into the school life. I am very much invested in my own professional development too, so if any appropriate opportunities were to arise, I would just go for it! I would love to become a mental health lead within school!
Has anything surprised you since starting in the classroom?
Just how funny and switched on the children are-they never miss a trick!
If you are considering a career change and would like to know more about our training, please join us at our next Get into Teaching open event.
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