Finishing my NQT Year as a Deaf teacher by Eleanor

It's officially SUMMER!

 What a year it has been. It is so funny looking back at my NQT year at this current moment. I know there has been ups and downs and so much of it based on learning what communication works in order for me to be an effective teacher. It's crazy but I've loved it.
 There have been hard times which have often been amplified by fear of the unknown. Not knowing whether I'm a 'good' teacher or the whirlwind of Ofsted. At the time they were difficult, but they were just 'moments'. It is too easy to get hung up on the negative times when there were far more of the positive times and seeing the children learn and progress.

 Working at a SEN school meant that the children and adults were doubly accepting of having a deaf teacher in the classroom and even the parents have been so understanding. I have been so lucky with my TAs in the classroom since January. Even today when the headteacher was talking one of them repeated everything back so I could lipread her. Working as a team is just as important as the work I do solo (planning etc). The kids... the kids have been fantastic, what a brilliant bunch of children and I really wish them the very best for the future.

 What a year. But it is now time for me to move on and progress further in my career as a Teacher of the Deaf. I'm sure I'll keep updating you as time goes on!

 People ask me why I don't cry at times like these. I do feel sad, of course I do, and I will miss everyone but it is just a moment in time. It will pass.
 Life is like a roller coaster. It's full of ups and downs, and every time you go on it, you experience something new or it might go a different way, but it always ends. You might not be happy that its finished, or you might be hysterically happy that you can finally get off, but it always finishes at some point.

 People ask me why am I changing my life so much, why am I moving away?
  Because if you don't buy the ticket, you can't take the ride!! It is a complete life change, but it will be invaluable experience for me to be where I want to be. I want to be a Teacher of the Deaf and inspire young children with hearing loss to be the best they can be. As a youngster I often felt like the world was against me and it's time for deaf children to change their thinking, to be confident, to be pro-active and take control and be whoever they want to be.

 I'm too small an entity to change the world, to make this a place where equal communication happens everywhere. However I can support amazing individuals to seek their own equal access and knock down all communication barriers in order to do so.

 My advice to anyone who wants to become a teacher. Take each day as it comes. When times seem hard just remember they are simply a 'moment'. It will pass, and you will be stronger for it.


If in doubt, just 'let it go' :) .