Case Study

I changed career path and started studying education in Houston, Texas. I had been meaning to continue my studies since then, but life got in the way. I moved from the USA to Canada, and then to Norway. I had a child and got a position as an assistant at the International School of Stavanger. When I was pregnant with my second child, I took the opportunity of maternity leave to complete an undergraduate degree in Education online with the University of Endicott in Massachusetts. When I completed my course, I was valedictorian and held the Graduation Speech.

I then felt ready to hold a position as a teacher and I needed a PGCE qualification to do this. My supervisor advised that I could study my PGCE with Sunderland like many of my colleagues, so I applied and was accepted.

The best part of the course is the online interface. The course is well organised, provides weekly updates, and the classes are clear and very interesting. I completed two teaching practices within my school and I was very well supported by my course lecturers. All the assignments throughout the year were linked to the practical aspects of a teacher’s life and while I was researching for my assignments, I learned a lot which I could use practically as a teacher.

I have a position as a preschool teacher at the moment, covering maternity leave, and I hope that I will be offered a permanent position in the next school year.

The University of Sunderland empowered me with the right tools to become a teacher and the advice I have received from my lecturers has given me confidence in my role.”

Published 28 April 2020