Student Taster Online Review

The experience covers two days. It’s a great insight into the teach first training experience. On day one you are introduced to the 8 competences and begin the self evaluation process. You take part in debates and plan a mini lesson. Day two is all about developing your teaching skills and ability. You deliver your lesson which is around 8 minutes long and receive useful feedback from peers and a teach first development lead.

You learn to self evaluate through the whole process. The process allows you to grow the abilities you regard strongly and develop those that you are weaker at. The experience highlights what you need to work on to be successful at a teach first assessment/development centre. You learn to be more interactive and develop communications skills through delivering a mini lesson and through the debates. The debates allow you to understand the teach first mission.

It is a fantastic insight into the what why who and how the teach first application process works. You learn from the development leads what it is they’re assessing and looking for. The debates and discussions really help you to understand the motivation behind the teach first ethos/mission. It was nice to hear about potential opportunities within teaching as well as in corporate rolls. Teach first teachers have a quicker career progression which is very interesting.

The atmosphere created is very positive. They encourage you to network with each other and share your passion for education which is so refreshing. We had a quiz in the evening to get to know each other in a more relaxed environment which is great! We had a cup of tea and network session on the second day which is a nice relaxing way to start the day. Even in a pandemic the online experience is a great way to meet new people that are like minded.

I did enjoy the virtual experience but I did feel like it was harder to network and develop online because you don’t get to meet anyone or interact. It doesn’t allow for the quiet people to shine because it is much harder to pull others into the conversion/debate. Some people are naturally quieter and I do feel it doesn’t allow for that. Though on a positive it was still nice to meet people with similar interests.

Yes

Definitely do the teach first taster session because it will guarantee an insight in to the workings of teach first and if this is the right program for you. There are lots of routes into teaching available and I think teach first could be challenging and requires a lot of thought before applying. This will definitely help you make the decision. Give it a go because you don’t know if you like it until you try it.