Meet an Astra Trainee: Molly

Molly is currently a trainee on our Drama course.

Tell us a little about your journey to becoming a teacher..
I’d always thought about going into teaching, so it was something I had in mind throughout university. During my degree, I particularly enjoyed an education module I took, which made me think more seriously about it as a career. It helped me see how important teaching is in shaping students’ confidence in maths. From there, going straight into teacher training felt like the natural next step for me.

Why did you select Astra as your training provider?
I was looking for a provider that offered a good balance between time in school and structured training, so I could develop my teaching in a practical way while still being supported. It was also important to me to train locally, and Astra gave me the opportunity to work in schools close to home while gaining experience in different settings.

What have been the highlights of your training?
One of the highlights has been seeing students start to understand topics they previously found difficult. Those moments when a lesson goes well make everything feel worthwhile. Over time, gaining confidence in the classroom and starting to feel more like a teacher has been a big highlight too.

What have been the challenges?
One of the main challenges has been building confidence in the classroom, especially at the start when everything felt new and there was a lot to think about at once. There were also times when I doubted myself, but with experience and support from mentors, that has improved over time.

Top advice for anyone considering teaching?
If you’re thinking about going into teaching, I’d say go for it and really throw yourself into the experience. It can feel challenging at times, especially at the start, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. The more you get involved and embrace it, the more you’ll get out of it.