Meet an Astra Trainee: Kenny

Kenny is currently a trainee on our English course.

Tell us a little about your journey to becoming a teacher…
I had always considered becoming a teacher, and after completing my MA I moved to Thailand, where I taught at a bilingual school for just over two years. It was a fantastic experience, but this year I felt the time was right to return to the UK to train as a teacher. Doing so allows me to continue developing my knowledge and expertise in my subjects (English and Drama), while also working towards making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.

Why did you select Astra as your training provider?
Astra made perfect sense for me as someone who wanted to gain experience in schools from the very start of the course, while also being able to obtain a PGCE through their strong partnership with Bath Spa University. The school-centred approach has allowed me to develop quickly by learning directly from experienced teachers in the classroom.

What have been the highlights of your training?
One of the biggest highlights has been when lessons go well and feeling the trust and appreciation of students. Seeing pupils outside the classroom and having them want to talk to you about the lesson, or tell you how much they enjoyed it, is incredibly rewarding. There have been many highlights this year, but nothing quite compares to that positive feedback from pupils, which is what makes all the challenging moments worthwhile.

What have been the challenges?
There have definitely been challenges. Early on in my training I found it difficult to make connections between the educational theory I was reading and how to apply it in practice in the classroom. However, the more teaching I have done, the easier this has become. Time management has also been a challenge – teaching requires a high level of organisation and the ability to stay proactive.

Top advice for anyone considering teaching?
Firstly, ask for help – and ask early. You will be surrounded by people who want to see you succeed, so it is important to trust in that support. Secondly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Things will inevitably go wrong at times, but what matters is how you respond and what you learn from those experiences.