10th March 2021

From Trainee To Teacher

Our Teacher Training courses, taught at the University Centre, are designed to equip learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding they will need for a successful career in the education sector.

The course allows our students to gain real, practical experience of teaching alongside other professionals, either through employment or volunteering, and helps them to gain confidence in planning, teaching and working with students and other professionals.

We believe this course provides a great starting point for those interested in teaching, so much so that we have a great track record of keeping trainees at the college, either to gain experience as part of their training, or in full-time employment once qualified.

We currently have a number of teachers working at the college who have themselves completed their teacher training with us, before being recruited as college staff. They bring with them valuable ideas, fresh approaches and enthusiasm to our college community.

Here’s what some of them had to say about their experience at the college:

Name: Fatou Jagne

Course(s) studied: Certificate in Education

Role now: Lecturer and HE Access and Participation Coordinator

“I really enjoyed my time as a student teacher at the college. I felt supported by lecturers and my subject specialist mentor. The support I received from fellow staff was also reassuring.

“As part of my course, I was given a teaching placement at the college, which allowed me to develop my teaching and learning skills. My mentor and lecturers often observed my classes and always provided me with constructive feedback.

“Working in further education everyday provides many opportunities – it certainly did for me! It can be challenging at times, but seeing students exceed their own expectations, grow in confidence and achieve their goals makes it all worthwhile!”

Name: Hannah Doyle

Course(s) studied: PGCE – Teacher Education, Lifelong Learning

Role now: Main Grade Lecturer – Art and Design

“I was lucky enough to work with staff in the school of Fashion, Art and Design. The team as it was back then taught me a lot. They were strong, dedicated and really encouraged me and pushed me to develop my understanding of education.

“I wouldn’t be half the lecturer I am today without the Art Foundation Team that trained me. I’m now solely responsible for the same course area and I’m so grateful that I’m able to keep their good practice going.”

Name: Damien Coulson

Course studied: HNC/HND Games Development and Certificate in Education

Current role: Main Grade Lecturer

“Both the Games Development course and the Cert Ed prepared me well for my transition from student to lecturer. The Games Development course equipped me with fundamental knowledge about all aspects of games design, which I can now pass on to new students, whereas the Cert Ed provided me with the knowledge needed to develop my skills as a lecturer.

“I really enjoyed studying at the College and was impressed by the facilities and the quality of teaching here. I felt supported, was welcomed into the College community, and enjoyed learning about games development and education. I am delighted to be part of the team now and I am looking forward to many more years here.”

Name:  Steven Ierston

Course(s) studied: Electrical Installation and PGCE

Role now: Deputy Head of School – Sustainable Construction & Building Services

“I’ve been interested in electrical installation ever since I undertook work experience at the age of sixteen. However, after completing a-levels at secondary school I realised I really also enjoyed the sciences and went onto graduate from LJMU with a degree in Applied Microbiology. After several years working at the university’s school of Biomolecular Sciences and school of Pharmacy & Chemistry, I decided to reignite my interest in electrical installation once again. I enrolled onto an evening course at the college and the rest is history.

“After completing the initial course, I got my hands dirty for a few years in the trade and then decided I’d really like to teach the subject. I emailed a contact I still had within the department and I was soon invited in for a chat. Literally a few days after the informal chat, I started working at the college as a part time lecturer. A little while later a full-time position became available and I applied and was successful with the added benefit of a funded teacher training course, studying part-time over two years alongside my job.

“I really enjoyed the teacher training at the college, it opened my mind to the different teaching theories and strategies and has allowed me to adapt and develop my own teaching styles. Teaching is not easy; you have to put the time in if you want the students to be successful. Every day is different, every student is unique, and this is what makes it rewarding and a career that has endless possibilities enabling us to have a positive impact shaping the minds of the next generation.”

Name: Jennifer Rose Marie Schears

Course(s) studied at the College: Post Graduate Diploma in Lifelong Learning

Role now: MGL in History and Education, Access Department of the City of Liverpool College

“I enjoyed my studies and found it a very challenging, inciteful and rewarding experience. The teaching and learning were at an excellent standard and my tutors worked exhaustively to support my learning. My second year of my studies was a very distressing time for me in my personal life and the college provided me with excellent pastoral support to help get me through the course, and I will be forever grateful for that. Additionally, the lessons were engaging and informative and I really enjoyed the diversity in their approaches in the classroom which was always very student focused.

“The course prepared me well for becoming a teacher, as before the course I did not know how to plan and structure a lesson using appropriate aims and objectives. It also enabled me to understand different theories of learning. This has been paramount to me as I now teach education to Level 3 students, so I’m applying my learning every day.

“I feel blessed to be a part of such a great team in Access and privileged to be working with our students. The environment that we have created in Access has a real community ethos and it’s a pleasure to be able to work with students from all different backgrounds who bring a wealth of experiences to the classroom and to this community.”

Name: Marc Sumner

Course(s) studied: HNC/HND Photography, BS (Hons) Art & Design (Photography), Certificate in Education

Role now: Lecturer/Student

“My experience of the college as a student has been brilliant. My current and previous tutors have offered great support, motivated me and have expanded my knowledge allowing me to progress further. I’ve been lucky to observe how other tutors teach and take points from them along with some techniques. Their hard work has really influenced me.

“To be a part time teacher is great, understanding how the college works from the other side is an amazing insight that will stay with me throughout my future teaching career.”

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Fatou, Hannah, Damien, Steven, Jennifer and Marc for sharing their experiences and for their continued hard work in supporting the next generation of college students.

If you’re interested in teacher training and would like to find out more about our courses, click here.