{"id":64979,"date":"2026-05-27T14:35:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T14:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.glos.ac.uk\/courses\/?post_type=case_study&p=64979"},"modified":"2026-05-27T15:25:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T15:25:08","slug":"the-lecturers-are-always-championing-us-motivating-us-and-reminding-us-that-we-belong-here","status":"publish","type":"case_study","link":"https:\/\/www.glos.ac.uk\/courses\/story\/the-lecturers-are-always-championing-us-motivating-us-and-reminding-us-that-we-belong-here\/","title":{"rendered":"Lecturers are always championing us, motivating us and reminding us that we belong here"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Rachael explains how her longing to be \u2018in the room where it happens\u2019 led to starting PGCE Secondary Art and Design.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My decision to begin my PGCE teacher training came from a longing to be \u2018in the room where it happens.\u2019 I\u2019m borrowing that line from Hamilton, which I saw in 2024 around the same time I was feeling frustrated with my previous work. I knew I wanted to be somewhere more creative – working in the art rooms with students. It had always been an idea, lingering at the back of my mind. Something I could do later in life. Well, the mid-20s life crisis hit, so I did the travelling, the hiking and camping. But I needed more professionally, it was time to try that lingering idea. I attended the postgraduate open evening at the University and was reassured by the lecturers about the course structure and support. This was the right next step to take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before starting the course, I expected teacher training to be loud, overwhelming, and busy – and it absolutely is. Early on, one of our mentors described schools as \u2018islands,\u2019 each with their own climate, rules, communities, and languages. That analogy has stayed with me, as it perfectly captures how different each placement can feel. While that can be daunting at first, you quickly learn that adjusting to island life simply takes time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the year, the support from the university lecturers has been incredible. They are always championing us, motivating us, and reminding us that we belong here – that we are doing good work and making a difference. Entering this profession can be vulnerable, even exposing. Even the most confident can be knocked down. But they have been invaluable in their genuine kindness and care in our developing teaching practices and personal well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, as I near the end of the course, I can\u2019t quite believe how much I\u2019ve learned in such a short space of time. The year has been a whirlwind, and the pace can be intense, but if you\u2019re passionate about your subject and committed to the process, it is incredibly rewarding. If I had one piece of advice, it would be not to expect yourself to know everything at once. You are constantly learning, adapting, and finding your feet – and that is a hard place to exist for long periods of time. Trust the process, lean on the support around you, and allow yourself the time to learn and understand the ways in which things happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back to the moment I decided to make this change, I feel proud of my past self for taking that leap and following my passion. It truly has led me to the room where it happens.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more about Rachael\u2019s course, PGCE Secondary Art and Design<\/a>, or discover more about our other PGCE Secondary courses<\/a>. You can also sign up for teacher training updates<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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