BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW… WOKINGHAM SCHOOL STUDENT TEACHER INTERVIEW

TEACHER: CAMILLA FORD, TEACHER OF DRAMA AND STUDENT: TALIA, Y7

Talia To Camilla

What inspired you to be a teacher?

I love to learn! As a Drama teacher, I love learning about people, places and things. There were two teachers that really helped me. One was my English teacher for my GCSEs and one was my College Drama Lecturer. Both believed in me and helped me reach the potential I didn’t realise I had. They had great passion for their subjects, which was infectious. I remember thinking – wow! What a rewarding career to have!

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?

I would have liked to have worked with animals. I love dogs, so maybe working in dog behaviour would be challenging but equally rewarding.

What’s the best part of your job?

As a teacher I get to learn new things every day. I love seeing those ‘light bulb moments’. I get goose bumps when I see the development of a student’s work when they free up their minds and create inspirational pieces of theatre.

Who are your heroines/heroes?

I would say Stevie Wonder; I love his music and Lionel Richie. Stevie Wonder especially because he overcame his own challenges and is still making music today. I just think he is absolutely incredible.

Why did you choose to teach at Bohunt Wokingham?

I liked the ethos of the school. Respect. Enjoy. Achieve. They all come hand in hand. They are the ingredients to reaching your personal successes. If you respect yourself and are open to enjoy what you learn – you will achieve great potential. I remember walking into the school and being welcomed with the ethos in reception. I knew I had found the right school for me. So I was delighted when I was asked to join the school.

Tell me a little about a teacher that inspired you.

I can count on both hands the teachers I’ve found inspiring in some way. Particularly my drama lecturer who advised my class to ‘’learn every aspect of the theatre’’. He taught me to think big and then after that - think even bigger. This is something that has helped me within my own teaching (having to adapt) and is a skill that I encourage my own students to have.

What is one exciting teaching method you use?

Giving the ‘power’ to my students. Year 9 - Paired presentations about practitioners in Drama – they teach a 10 min lesson. They do the research and are the experts.

What are your thoughts on education today?

As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” I believe knowledge is power and we should never stop learning. This is something we should encourage our future generations.

Camilla To Talia

Tell me about yourself in 30 seconds

I am a year 7, I have been at Bohunt for 3 months, I have a sister, a dog called Coco and my dad was born in South Africa and my mum was born in Romania but she moved to Israel and then to South Africa and then they came to England. I love my family and my friends – they mean a lot to me.

What are your strengths?

I think looking after friends, I am good at interpreting how they feel. I think that’s because my mum’s a Psychologist so I kind of got a bit from her. So if they are in an argument I can normally help.

What are your weaknesses?

Sometimes Maths. Last year I froze because I thought I had to answer quickly, so I think my weakness probably is thinking of other people and comparing myself even though I don’t need too. Give one example of something you enjoy,respect or have achieved at Bohunt Wokingham?

I made a big giant model of the Jabawokey with my dad and I got lots of house points for it.

What or who inspires you?

I think Emma Watson the actress inspires me because I like how she plays Belle and Belle is my favourite Disney princess because she stands out and isn’t afraid to be different and I also really like David Attenborough because he has done so many great things for the world.

What are your plans for the future after leaving school?

I have no idea but if I was given the choice between two jobs I think it would be an actress or a vet.

What is your favourite line from a film/song/book?

Probably in the movie of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone when Hermione Granger says: “We could have been killed or worse, expelled!”

What one thing would you change about school life?

Probably that I miss out on school meals because the lines are so long so I end up having packed lunch but the meals sound good but I don’t really want to wait in the really long queue.