STEM Insight Week Participant Review

The Insight event was split up into two weeks. The first week was all about learning about the theory and practice of teaching, including pedagogy, how to create a good working relationship with students among other things. We were given an introduction to Teach First's business partners, including professional services and consultancy companies. The second week was spent at a partner school, observing lessons, helping out teachers, and putting what we had learnt into practice.

I have learnt a lot of skills that will help me throughout my career. There are many transferable skills involved with teaching, such as learning how to communicate with others, how to manage large numbers of people, and how to be a positive role model. These are skills that I have not been able to practice as much throughout my university course, so I will be better prepared to enter the working world once I graduate.

I was given a lot of responsibility during my insight week, especially when considering that I am still a student. This was particularly the case during the second week, where I was invited to one of Teach First's partner schools to help observe and teach lessons. It was quite intimidating at first to be in front of the classroom but I gained confidence and built a positive rapport with students that helped me a lot.

We were given a lot of support and guidance, particularly during the first week where we were given presentations on how to conduct ourselves in a classroom environment and how to help students to get the most out of our lessons using pedagogical techniques. This meant that the second week was much smoother than it otherwise would have been because we knew what to expect. We were also given access to connections with Teach First's corporate partners.

The company culture was great. Teach First prides itself on its mission to reduce educational inequality through the provision of great teachers. That being said, there are some doubts about its relationship with corporate partners. The majority of people who attended the event seemed genuinely interested in a career in teaching, which was positive because there is a shortage of teachers in many subjects in the UK. There was a good atmosphere at the networking events.

I really enjoyed my insight week at Teach First. It was an opportunity for me to see whether I am suited to a career in teaching. Although I am yet to decide, the insight week made me feel as though teaching is definitely a possibility, whether in the near future or further down the line. I was given the opportunity to network with many of Teach First's corporate partners, which was useful because it gave me new connections.

Yes

I would say that you need to emphasize what you will be able to offer to the company as a student. Teach First are always looking for students in the shortage areas such as STEM to help reduce the impact of pressure on the profession. If you show that you have the skills in communication and teamwork in addition to good subject knowledge, you will be the right kind of candidate that the company is interested in.