Name: Carina Makris
School: Feltham Community College
Subject taught: English
How long have you been teaching?
One year and two months
What route did you take into teaching?
Teach First Graduate Programme, Canterbury Christ Church University.
What do you like most about teaching in your school?
The pupils, everyday is different and I am never bored like I have been in office jobs. I clock watch in this job as time goes too quickly!
How do you think that your school and the LEA cater for the different needs of the children in terms of language, diversity and special needs?
There is a really supportive EAL department and I have assistants in some of my lessons who can provide focused support for pupils with EAL. The school also has an excellent SEN department and PD department all with specially trained teaching assistants to suit the pupils’ needs.
What do you think of the support and training that was offered to you when you first came to Hounslow and also that has been on offer as you developed your career?
I think my career development would have been very different without the help of supportive teachers at Feltham. They provide new teachers and newly trained teachers with a well-structured programme to induct us with all the strategies and information we need to have to teach in a school like Feltham. I have also worked closely with Hounslow’s English Consultant, planning and delivering as a team a 1 week unit on year seven to eight induction.
Has working in a diverse borough helped to develop your teaching skills?
Definitely. I would not want to teach without the challenges that I have come across as they lead to great feelings of pride and satisfaction when pupils with any sort of learning barriers progress and achieve.
Do you think that you have been encouraged to develop professionally and increase your skills as a teacher?
My mentors and line managers are very supportive and have given me lots of ownership and responsibilities to encourage me and help me develop professionally.
What would you say to an NQT to encourage them to come and teach in Hounslow?
Your NQT year is going to be a challenge and hard work anyway so why not do it somewhere where the rewards will be extra special!
What 3 words describe your teaching career in Hounslow and the service that you receive as a teacher?
Supported, challenged, stimulated.