There are only three weeks left for geographers wanting to start their teacher training in autumn 2020 to apply for our Geography Teacher Training Scholarship programme.
We caught up with two of our Scholars, David Hirst (DH) and Victoria Nakyejwe (VN) to discuss how the scholarship programme has supported them, their advice for going into geography teaching and why now is the perfect time to apply.
Why did you choose to teach geography?
(DH) Having had a lifelong fascination with and passion for the world around me, geography was the only choice for me. Providing links between academic subjects and the ability to explain the physical and human environments around us makes geography a special discipline.
Has the current COVID-19 pandemic affected your decision to go into teaching?
(VN) The saying ‘there is light at the end of every tunnel’ is remarkably true in this time we are living in. The pandemic has more than solidified my passion for teaching. We have witnessed the importance of teaching in society during the pandemic by ensuring students remain educationally active at home. Teachers will become even more important after the pandemic by ensuring that the inequality gap in education caused by the current situation, is closed.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about teaching geography?
(DH) Be passionate! Be curious! Be inspiring! Be knowledgeable! Bring these attributes to life in your teaching and you will enthuse and engage the next generation. Remember the teachers who inspired you – be the next generation’s inspiration!
How has the Scholarship helped you with your teaching?
(DH) The Scholarship has provided access to high quality resources, Continuous Professional Development and a national network of support and ideas. Combining these has served to enable me to both reflect on my teaching and continue to learn.
What is the best aspect of the Scholarship programme?
(DH) The support! The access to resources, both online and at the Society itself, and the provision of support for my Initial Teacher Training (ITT) enrichment period at the Society. The Scholarship has enabled me to make connections that will be of value to my teaching for the long-term.
(VN) I’m looking forward to networking with other trainee geography teachers who will be in the same boat as me, as well as the GIS aspects and residential fieldwork.
What would you say to those interested in applying for the scholarship but hesitant due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
(DH) Don’t hesitate! The value you can gain from securing a scholarship is invaluable, not only for your ITT year but progressing into NQT and beyond. Investing the time in the process pays dividends when selected, given the support and access it provides.
(VN) Go for it! We need people like you more than ever. The recruitment process is straightforward, the information is well communicated, and despite the interview being held remotely it felt no different to being physically present at the Scholarship event.
Our Geography Teacher Training Scholarship programme is funded by the Department for Education and provides outstanding trainees with significant financial and professional support, including: £17,000 tax-free funding, training events, access to materials and resources, networking opportunities and other support to complement their teacher training.
The deadline for all applications is Sunday 28 June.
Find out more and how to apply.