Mansfield students take first steps into teaching

The group of six met in a socially-distanced classroom set-up in order to demonstrate to their tutor and classmates the practical element of the course.

The programme, which was free of charge, had been delivered online by tutor Adela Brookes for the three weeks prior to the practical session.

Students presented their own work in a ‘micro-teach’ style lecture to their peers and were assessed by Adela.

Adela said: “This group have performed brilliantly and they’ve all come from different career backgrounds.

"It’s been a very different way of delivering this kind of introductory teacher training programme but it’s been received so well and I’ve been very proud of their work.

“It’s enabled them to dip a toe in the water to discover if they would like to teach as a career.

"This is what this kind of introductory course is all about.

"They now have the opportunity to enroll on the level three certificate in teaching if they wish to pursue a teaching career and the last few weeks has given them the fundamentals and opportunity to progress this if they wish.”

Suzanne Parsons, who last attended the college 30 years ago, said: “I finished work last September after a long career in the banking industry.

"I was unsure whether I wanted to get back into work but someone suggested the step into teaching short course, so I through I had nothing to lose by giving it a try.

“I’ve enjoyed working online and I’m quite used to webinars through work, but it’s been wonderful to finally meet the others here at college. “I’m still deciding whether I want to pursue teaching further or study business but I’m glad I’ve done this programme.”