This week's blog is written by former teacher and SchoolTalk Facilitator, Samantha Craig. As a SchoolTalk Facilitator, Sam provides support to allocated subscribed schools to effectively implement SchoolTalk. 

Things I have learnt as an ex teacher-turned facilitator: 

• Being a teacher is hard! When you step away from the job you really can take stock and appreciate the challenges of teaching. When you are in it it can be easy to get caught up in the problems, the admin and the sheer speed at which the day goes by when you are in the classroom. Teachers - take time to take a step back and prioritise what is important to you and your learners, and remember why you are doing such an important job.
  
  

• Everyone has different teaching styles and approaches, there is not one best way to do it. We talk about fundamental pedagogy and some strategies in which to do this effectively, but I have seen so many different ways teachers do the same thing and find that often all ways are effective. I think everyone should at some point in their career get a chance to visit and collaborate with other teachers outside of your immediate organisation. You can learn so much!
  
  

• Teaching adults is very similar to teaching children - in fact children actually learn quite a bit faster. I use so many of the same teaching strategies I used as a teacher, when working with adults. And adults are just like children - the content has to be engaging and interesting, and you have to try and give adults different opportunities and ways of learning. Some adults can learn by reading, some learn by watching and listening. Finding ways of supporting all different types of learners in my professional development sessions will always remain a priority for me.
  
  

• The world of education is always changing - even now that I am out of the classroom I am always speaking to leaders about what is happening in this space. There will always be a new way of doing something and it can be overwhelming for teachers to keep up. If you are open to learning and change then you will be open to growth, that’s not to say that the way you run your maths groups is wrong. Take little manageable steps when trying something new, and be okay with failure! It is how we will continue to learn.
  
  

• Change is coming - With a new cohort of teachers coming through who are all digital natives they are bringing with them new and innovative ways of engaging with teaching and learning. Even being in the ed tech industry we are seeing new technology that is having massive implications - I mean look how chat GPT has impacted the world overnight. One thing I am seeing is that teachers who embrace change are flourishing. Change is the only constant in life, fight it and get left behind.