Making the transition into teaching;
Jamie Curley
What did you do before training to teach?
I was a Territory Manager in Medical Technology Sales, providing clinical and sales support for specialised technology.
What inspired you to get into teaching?
I worked as an adult instructor with Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force. This gave me an insight into working with young people and I saw how an inspirational teacher could change their lives.
How has Transition to Teach supported you so far?
Transition to Teach initially supported me with discussions about whether teaching was the right move and personality profiling which helped me to assess how I saw myself. My mentor has been a huge help in guiding my thinking, helping me with applying for jobs and preparing for interviews, and helping me see how my skill set could fit into teaching. It’s great to have someone there who has been through the experience and can guide me through my training and Newly Qualified Teacher years. It’s not an easy transition to move into teaching, but my mentor and the Transition to Teach team have made it so much easier and taken a lot of the stress out of the change.
Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
I want to be the best classroom teacher I can be and potentially look at curriculum leadership or Head of Department.
Finally, sum up your experience for us!
It’s been a complete change and it’s a big step to take, however I was determined, and teaching does get easier with experience and practice! I would advise anybody thinking of making the move to make the most of your mentors, ask questions and learn from their experience – everybody is willing to help. Having the backing of experienced advisers from Transition to Teach has helped tremendously and my mentor has always been there on the phone or via email. It’s been especially good to have his calm guidance during the exceptional circumstances of 2020 when so many things have been disrupted. I’m now doing a job I genuinely love and wish I had made the move sooner.