Educating the next generation of North East teachers Celebrity teachers Vic Goddard and Stephen Drew of 鈥淓ducating Essex鈥� fame were in the region this weekend to inspire a new generation of teachers. The Head and Deputy Head of Passmores Academy in Harlow became 2011鈥檚 unexpected stars of reality television for their no-nonsense, realistic and yet compassionate approach to today鈥檚 teenagers. And this weekend they accepted an invitation from students at 缅北禁地 to speak to the teachers of today and tomorrow about their views on education, the highs and lows of teaching and the day-to-day challenges of educating the next generation. Denise Todd, Kayleigh Swan, Chris Blakey and Craig Wright, all Secondary PGCE students training to be teachers at 缅北禁地 were the key drivers for this weekend鈥檚 seminar. Denise, from Haltwhistle, said: 鈥淲e all found the Educating Essex team really inspiring. Seeing professionals like Mr Drew and Mr Goddard deal with some of the challenges that we will be facing was brilliant, it give us some great coping techniques. 鈥淚t highlighted that as challenging as the job can be it also has its upsides, things like relationships with the students, the patience of the teachers and their determination to help learners achieve really motivated us to strive for excellence.鈥� Chris, from 缅北禁地, adds: 鈥淚t seems as if everyone has an opinion on education; long holidays, early finishes and gold-plated pensions. What Educating Essex showed the nation is the reality of teaching. - it showed that teaching isn鈥檛 a job for the faint hearted!鈥� Mr Goddard, Headteacher at Passmores, said it was a 鈥減rivilege鈥� to have been invited to speak to the team. 鈥淭he students have shown just how dedicated they are about becoming the best teachers that they can be; their passion is beyond doubt. 鈥淚t was a privilege to have the opportunity to share some of our thoughts and experiences of teaching and hopefully help to motivate the outstanding school teachers and leaders that young people up and down the country deserve.鈥� Kayleigh, from Billingham, near Middlesbrough, said: 鈥淭eaching isn鈥檛 just managing a class. Educating Essex showed that it鈥檚 about the complex web of activity that occurs within a school and how the teacher manages that web. 鈥淭he programme was on at the time when the media was focussed on the negatives of education: striking teachers, failing comprehensives and Government cuts. 鈥淲hat was great about Educating Essex was that it highlighted all the positives of school life. Passmores is an outstanding school and for us to witness, as aspiring outstanding teachers, was reassuring. 鈥淭hey showed that the essential ingredients for an outstanding school aren鈥檛 just the pass rates, it鈥檚 about dedication and hard work from all members of the school community.鈥� Craig, from Redcar, adds: 鈥淭eacher training is under more pressure to be different and help a new generation of teachers overcome the challenges of 21st century education. 鈥淲e鈥檙e hugely grateful to the PGCE Secondary Team at 缅北禁地 for their innovative, pro-active approach to helping us overcome these challenges.鈥� published on: 30 January 2012
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