Rebecca, PGDE Secondary (Chemistry and Physics)

Originally from Shetland, Rebecca received a PhD in Chemistry before pursuing her PGDE Secondary in Chemistry and Physics at Moray House. Here, she shares what inspired her and what she hopes to achieve in her teaching career.

I have always been interested in teaching, but the teaching (lab demonstrating and tutoring) I did during my PhD showed me how much I loved it. It was my favourite thing and I enjoyed it more than my research!

I was very lucky with the teachers at my high school and find them inspirational. [Before starting the programme] I was worried (and still am) that I will not make a good teacher. However, I worked in a high school as the science technician and that experience and exposure to existing teachers showed me that one of the most important things you can do is care about the work you are doing and try your best. This helped me to have more confidence that I could do the job. Get some experience in a school if you can, but, if you want to be a teacher, do it and believe in yourself.

I want to instil a love of science in my pupils, but the most important thing for me is to be a teacher who cares and does the best they can. I hope to bring my passion for learning, my experience of working in science, and my understanding nature to the classrooms I work in.

The best thing about the teaching programme at Moray House was learning from the very supportive, experienced tutors and being a part of a diverse, friendly cohort of other students.

I am also so pleased that the University is partnered with Place2Be [a leading children’s mental health charity]. Mental health is a very personally important area to me, and it is wonderful to have this programme in place. It’s provided a lot of valuable advice.

Learn more about Place2Be at Moray House