Making the transition into teaching;
Sowmya Mony
What did you do before becoming a teacher?
I worked as a software developer in a tight-knit agile team, contributing to the ongoing maintenance and development of the company website, special applications and new microsites. I worked on a large high-traffic website, leading a team towards continuous integration and testing.
Which skills from your previous career will be useful in the classroom?
I have subject knowledge, resilience, listening skills, adaptability and am used to taking responsibility for work and my team. As a software developer, I worked alongside teachers to improve the overall experience of our website users and customers. In addition, I acted as a mentor to university students on placement, helping them to learn skills and processes.
What inspired you to get into teaching?
I worked closely with teachers as part of my previous role and seeing their passion for their subject and profession inspired me to get into teaching. After working in the computing industry for more than a decade, I realised that teaching was the only way I could give back all that I had learned during the years.
How has Transition to Teach supported you so far?
My Guidance and Development Adviser (GDA) has been a great support, helping me with Student Finance and also giving me moral support when I had a tough time getting used to the school environment. The Hogan Assessment has been very useful and I regularly refer to it to reflect on my lessons, observations and feedback. We have regular workshops for assignments which have been beneficial. My GDA has also helped me set goals for the term so that I can focus on specific areas of teaching and build my skill set.
As you move into teaching, what are you most excited about?
I'm most excited to take responsibility for the learning of my students and to engage with the wider school curriculum.
Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
I see myself as an established member of the computing department in a good school, familiar with the curriculum and exam board expectations and preparing myself to lead the department.