Time travel sets Amy on the teaching path

Exploring the past has proved beneficial for University of Teesside graduate Amy Pritchard, as she is now on the path to qualifying as a Primary School teacher. Amy, 20, from Norton, Stockton, has just achieved her BA (Hons) degree in History and starts training as a junior teacher in the autumn.

She came to the University with three ‘A’ levels in History, Law and Classics from Stockton Sixth Form College. Amy said: “History has always been my favourite subject right from Primary School. On the course I enjoyed learning about Edwardian Liberal culture and world economic History from 1945 to the 1970s, which I’d never looked at before. I particularly enjoyed exploring American History, as it makes you realise how big an impact USA culture has on Britain, and affects the way we live now.”

Amy also enjoyed her final year dissertation, where she examined the policy of appeasement in the 1930s. “Studying History can give you skills for work, such as research and communication skills, as you have to regularly give presentations to your fellow students. The Lecturers were really helpful and approachable, and the University’s Learning Resource Centre had a good range of books and use of the Internet”, added Amy.

She combined her studies with work in a local shoe shop and for one year also worked as a Student Mentor, as part of the National Mentoring Pilot Programme (NMPP). Through the NMPP UK University students work on a one-to-one basis with secondary school pupils, to help boost self-esteem and show the benefits of higher education. Amy worked with two Year Seven (11-12 year old) pupils in Keldholme School, Middlesbrough. She said: “The pupils were really friendly, and one sent me a card afterwards thanking me, which was a lovely surprise”.

When Amy qualifies as a teacher in summer 2001, she is aiming to start her career in the North-East.

For more information on the BA (Hons) degree in History please call 01642 384019, or check the University of Teesside’s web site at www.tees.ac.uk

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