What encouraged you to get involved in Schools Placement opportunities?
I have been interested in community/volunteer work since the start of my educational journey, was involved in volunteering work in my undergraduate degree as well. When I came to Coventry University, I came across the Employability Unit’s opportunities to get involved in community work. I decided to pursue Schools placement for two reasons. A) I wanted to make a difference in children’s life by helping them with their studies. B) I wanted to explore the British education system and compare it to my own country so that when I go back I can make a difference there as well, as I used to teach back home too.
Were you pleased with the overall organisation of the placement? If so, why?
Yes, I am really satisfied with my placement, it was a simple, and straight forward process. After the initial training, I waited for the DBS check. Once that was clear, I got an email with all the necessary details about the address and point of contact at the school. Arranged a meeting with the school representative, agreed on a time and day of my choice and started my placement. I like it specially because it was flexible and could be tailored to my choice. I could easily choose the days and time which do not conflict with my own study schedule.
What were the best bits of experience?
The most overwhelming experience for me was the knowledge that I was there to make a difference in student’s life. The times when I was able to help the student to understand and solve a mathematics question or when I was able to help them improve their reading skills were the best bits for me. I also enjoyed supervising them in their practical activities. For example, as part of the science lesson, they built umbrellas for themselves, and they were much indulged in the activity. They also had a day out in school garden to study the different types of plants and flowers. I enjoyed supervising them and learnt a lot myself as well about gardening,
What skills have you learnt from the experience?
The most overwhelming experience for me was the knowledge that I was there to make a difference in student’s life. The times when I was able to help the student to understand and solve a mathematics question or when I was able to help them improve their reading skills were the best bits for me. I also enjoyed supervising them in their practical activities. For example, as part of the science lesson, they built umbrellas for themselves, and they were much indulged in the activity. They also had a day out in school garden to study the different types of plants and flowers. I enjoyed supervising them and learnt a lot myself as well about gardening,
What skills have you learnt from the experience?
I have developed multiple skills as a result of this placement. Conducting class activities, and managing difficult students enhanced my management and leadership skills. Interacting with students and staff helped polish my communication skills as well. Managing my own study schedule together with this placement, help me better manage my time and I learnt that I could maximize my time effectively if I properly plan ahead. I was also able to learn about effective conflict management when helping difficult students in the class. I enhanced my coaching skills as a result of helping students with elements they found difficult to understand.
What would you say to encourage other students to join the Schools Placements programme?
I would say that studying for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at the university is not the sole purpose of the educational journey. Our aim should be to bring the best out of ourselves while studying. And one way to achieve this is by helping others in any way we can, and also maximizing our time at the university to gain as much transferable skills as we can. Placement at a school is a very interesting and constructive way of gaining all this. Teaching is a very noble profession and the basis of all the future development. We are going to be teachers in future in some capacity no matter what career paths we pursue, and therefore these placements would always help us in one way or the other.
Has the experience encouraged you or helped you to decide your future career path?
Yes, it has encouraged me to be a teacher in any capacity. I now try to help my colleagues in our group study sessions as well. It will always encourage me to help and teach my colleagues wherever I can for my own and my colleagues’ personal and professional development.
What were the overall benefits of the placement opportunity?
I was able to develop and learn the skills of communication, teamwork, time management, leadership and management. I was able to make a difference in children’s lives, therefore felt as a useful member of the community. It will also increase my employability after I graduate into a competitive job market.