Queen Mary graduate Shajiyah Begum is now a Geography teacher. Read more about her time at Queen Mary, her current job and what she loves about Geography.
After doing my GCSEs, I studied Biology, Chemistry and Geography at A Level. During this time, I realised I was really passionate about geography and so I went on to study it at Queen Mary. I achieved a First in my degree and went on to do a PGCE at the Institute of Education. During this time, I gained a scholarship from the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) who further supported me in my journey to becoming a qualified teacher. Following my PGCE, I obtained my current job as a Geography teacher at an Academy in South London.
What was extremely useful in helping me become a teacher was the experience I had gained throughout university. Within the School of Geography at Queen Mary, I was involved in the Stepping Stones programme. This involved me mentoring and tutoring a small group of Geography A Level students at a local school, which allowed me to gain an insight into what it's like working with young people in a school environment. This further motivated me to apply for a PGCE course after finishing my degree.
Alongside my studies, I was also a course representative and a Geography ambassador at Queen Mary. Both of these roles allowed me to develop my communication, organisation, time management and leadership skills – all of which are vital for a teacher.
I am currently a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) and I teach Geography to Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. I also teach History to Key Stage 3 pupils. In addition to teaching, I have pastoral care responsibilities within the wider life of the school.
Day to day, I contribute to the planning of lessons and resources in the department, which are shared amongst the Humanities team, and set assessments, monitor pupil progress and record data on the system according to the Academy guidelines. I ensure books are marked with regular feedback so that pupils make progress, and I communicate effectively with parents about pupil progression and behaviour when appropriate. I also undertake regular break and lunch duties, as well as participate in school events and professional development trainings within the Academy.
What I enjoy most about my job is that every day is different. Teaching can be tough, especially in London, but it is definitely rewarding!
I would say that you should gain some experience within a school environment. This is essential as it gives you a feel for what it's like to work with young people on a daily basis. Observing a primary and a secondary school can also help you decide which school environment you are more suited to. In addition, it would be helpful to shadow a member of teaching staff and observe the additional responsibilities teachers have within the school.
I chose Geography because it allows you to gain a better understanding of the world we live in, and how human and physical interactions shape our landscape. I personally believe studying Geography will make you a well rounded person, as it contains aspects of different subjects such as science and history. In addition, Geography provides you with a range of skills such as critical thinking and analytical skills, which makes geographers highly employable when it comes to job hunting!