Karen negotiates a First Class career

Karen Smith has switched from IT training to primary school teaching, thanks to a special University of Teesside scheme.

The Negotiated Learning Scheme takes previous work experience into account when studying for a degree, enabling the student to spend less time in classes while still earning their qualification. Karen has been so successful that she has gained a First Class degree.

Karen, 33, from Acklam, worked in the travel industry where she trained staff members to use IT. She then worked for a local training centre with school and community groups. Again, Karen used her training and IT skills to benefit people. Working with school groups inspired Karen to think about training as a school teacher.

Realising that she needed more qualifications to further her career and become a teacher, Karen enrolled on the BA Professional Studies in Education course at the University. Karen chose modules including those which covered the theories behind education, learning and motivation skills and how education fits into society.

Because of her vast training experience, Karen was able to by-pass several modules and used past experience to help with others. By combining past experience with study, Karen achieved her degree in 14 months.

Karen, who is now working at a primary school in Redcar, said: “The Negotiated Learning Scheme was ideal. It meant I could use my past experience and not have to spend time in a class being taught things I already knew. I would have found it frustrating to go over old ground. It’s hard work though and you have to be well organised to work and also get your assignments written in time.

“It was a big step to commit to the course, but I had a clear goal in mind and I knew what I wanted to achieve. I like teaching children because of the challenge it presents. Young kids aren’t ‘trained’ what to say or do – they just tell you what they think! No two days are ever the same.

“Negotiated Learning is an ideal solution if you can’t commit to full-time study but have the right experience. I’d tell anyone to go for it.”

The Negotiated Learning Scheme is available for a variety of courses. To find out more, call Jo Garbutt in the University of Teesside’s Centre for Life Long Learning on 01642 342567 or email j.garbutt@tees.ac.uk.

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