Tell us a bit about how your career started

My first job was working for a summer play scheme. I did this for a few summers when I was younger which gave me my first experiences working with children. I then became a one-to-one assistant working with special needs children in Lewisham before I moved to Woodhill and became a teaching assistant. During this time I decided that I had a passion for teaching. From there I decided to go to Canterbury Christ Church University to do a BA Honours in Primary Education.

There are a lot of teachers in my family in Trinidad and the U.K. Also, my mum was a headteacher in a school in Lewisham, so I have always had that influence growing up.

Secondly, I have always sought ways I could give back to my community and found teaching the perfect route.

How long have you been part of Inspire Partnership?

I worked at Woodhill first for three years developing my practice and pedagogy. Woodhill offered me the opportunity to cover a few classes when teachers were on PPA. After gaining experience teaching a class, my confidence began to grow and also a desire to develop professionally. Whilst gaining qualified teaching status, I was offered the chance to join Rockliffe Manor Primary school to complete my training. I did not hesitate to move schools as the way I was treated by the Partnership made me feel like an ‘Inspire Boy’; not tied to one school but a part of a bigger picture shaping young minds for a better future. I have been at Rockliffe now for the last five years and aim to be here for many more. 

Rockliffe Manor has such a family feeling to it, and progressive attitude in that everyone is working towards the best possible outcomes for the school, children and their families. With this support network, I have been striving, going from strength to strength, constantly developing my practice and fulfilling my desire for self-improvement. So I would say it was a decision I never looked back on and appreciate every member of staff who has been a part of my journey. 

Working for Inspire has been a fantastic experience for my personal and professional development. It has an exceptional work-life balance and leaders ensure that all teachers are OK and have all the tools needed to succeed. They have constantly demonstrated that they have their employees' best interests at heart and support is freely available for anyone that requires it. I have loved being part of Inspire; it is somewhere I feel proud to be a part of.

What do you like about your job?

Where do I begin, lol. I love the nurturing side of my job, caring for and shaping young minds, instilling them with the values of Inspire Partnership. I love that every day is a new adventure with new challenges to face and new misconceptions to address with my students. I love the support I get from my colleagues and leadership. I feel like I work with family, and I am supported to be the best version of myself. I love the students I work with and their families and I really enjoy that my headteacher sees strengths in me that I may not see and puts me in positions to implement these skills and enhance them.