Reflection

As I start to reflect back on the reasons why I became a teacher it is great to remember and look at old photos and memories.

I was born on 15th September 1983 (yikes, I'm 30 this year!) in Inverness, Scotland. As the oldest of three, and for as long as I can remember, I have always been pretty bossy, confident and enthusiastic about almost anything. I have a feeling that these same characteristics are still evident now!

For me it is not hard to identify the first influence of a teacher in my life. Although neither of my parents were teachers my grandparents (mum's side) were. My grandad was the head of the primary school and my granny the infant headmistress. Although I never though of myself was wanting to aspire to be like my grandparents, there is no doubt that their role in my life influenced my decision to become a teacher. I always remember their patient, kind and caring manner, the stories and games they would play with us and, my fondest memory, the fairy cakes we would bake.

It is amazing that, when looking back, I can name every single primary school teacher that I had. Mrs Smith (P1), Miss Chalmers(P2), Mrs McLennan(P3), Mr Mackenzie(P4), Mrs Lillico(P5), Mrs Kennedy(P6) and Miss Mackenzie(P7). There is no doubt in my mind of the importance of each teacher in my life and I still remember each with fond memories. This undoubtedly has played a part in shaping the person I am today. I like to think that I am fun, like Mr Mackenzie, inspirational like Mrs Kennedy and I even now play the guitar (and some of the same songs) like Miss Chalmers did in P2.

Secondary education was a very different experience to primary. I can still remember several significant and inspirational teachers, and yet on reflection, I believe that by this stage it was more the subjects that motivated me, rather than the teacher. I excelled in Music, Art and PE and had difficulties with subjects such as biology and geography where my interest did not lie. By the time it came to choose my career path at the end of sixth year I remember wondering what job would allow me to do all the things I love - teaching would seem to be the clear choice.

However, teaching was never my ambition. I had actually always aspired to be a children's TV presenter on Blue Peter where I believed (and possibly no one else) that I could use my sporting skills, art ability and confident personality to good effect. Interestingly, I think it was this decision to pursue a career in teaching that demonstrates the influence of role models on young children. I wonder now, that had my grandparents been involved in media, or indeed any other occupation, or even if I had had a bad experience with one of my primary teachers, would I still have decided to pursue a career in education?