Charlotte
Jordan

Why did you choose NTU?

NTU was always my first-choice university. Ever since the open day, I fell in love with both the course and Clifton campus.

I had only heard great things about NTU and was sold by the level of professionalism from students and staff throughout the open day and my course interview.  I felt NTU offered a strong sense of community and countless opportunities to grow.

What did you learn – both inside and outside of lectures? What still makes you smile when you look back?

Lectures were always purposeful and well-structured. Seminars allowed for more tailored support in smaller groups and gave ample opportunity for us as students to actively experience activities. This deepened our understanding of planning and delivering lessons to children in the most engaging way.

My favourite part of my degree was each of the in-school placements. I appreciated how NTU provided me with a variety of teaching experiences. I was able to decide on my preferred key stage, year group and type of school which supported me when applying for jobs.

In the summer of my third year, I had the opportunity to work at an American summer camp for 3 months which was the absolute highlight of the course for me. It was a fantastic experience to work with children from another culture.  I would recommend making the most of the special placement opportunity and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone – this is where my best memories were made!

What does your current day involve? Take us through a “typical” day (if there is one!)

One of the things I love about teaching most is that no day is the same. For me each day begins with welcoming and connecting with the children. The morning then consists of teaching reading, writing and maths. In the afternoon we explore a different wider curriculum subject each day. I am also very passionate about reading for pleasure and so dedicate time to this each day to instill a love of reading in the children I teach.

I try my best to have a good work-life balance and leave any work at school.

What attracted you to this field of work?

From a very young age, I knew that I wanted to make a difference to children’s lives and play a crucial part in their education journey. Having personally felt the impact of many of my own teachers growing up, I have a strong passion to guide young learners in such a critical time.

What challenges have you faced?

University can be a real challenge at times, especially when having to juggle university assignments and school placements. I initially found it difficult to manage my time between both and became quite overwhelmed, however the staff at NTU ensured that I was supported throughout.