Catherine Muir

I’ve been teaching for the last eight years as a qualified teacher but my interest in learning began way before that. I studied journalism as I love writing and expressing myself. I helped out at a tuition centre for extra money during my MA in Journalism and fell in love with the students. I decided to take the plunge and became a qualified teacher.

My favourite part of the experience of learning with students is the absolute variety of people I meet. I love learning new things and I try to make my lessons fun and as engaging as possible whilst still meeting national curriculum criteria. It’s a challenge, but I’ve learned to think on my feet and adapt.

I have taught in a prison and worked very hard at getting students with many neurodiverse needs on board with learning. It was exceptionally tricky but so, so rewarding.

My lessons take a pretty standard format: started to get things going; ensuring the learning objective is clearly identified and understood; the main part of the lesson where students complete some form of writing; and finally the plenary where all the knowledge and skills used throughout the lesson are covered.

I do try to use humour and have fun whilst teaching and I sincerely love when students start to open up to me as we get to know one another during lessons. This enables a more secure understanding of what the student needs to move forward and improve.

Trust and reliance are big things for me; every student is important and I try to implement that ethos into my everyday teaching.