For Princess Archen, becoming a teacher was not a sudden career decision. It was a dream that had followed her throughout her life. After years of working in schools and supporting pupils as a teaching assistant, Princess enrolled on the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship with NITE, allowing her to achieve her long held ambition of becoming a qualified teacher while continuing to work. Here, she reflects on that journey.
Always a teacher at heart
Looking back, I think teaching has always been part of who I am. Growing up in Ghana, I loved helping others learn. When I visited my grandmother, I would gather local children together and teach them. My family even nicknamed me "Little Teacher". At the time, I had no idea where life would take me, but the desire to teach never really went away.
After university, I didn't immediately pursue teaching. Like many people, I started thinking more about practical considerations and career opportunities. But when I moved to the UK, I found myself naturally drawn back into education. I started working as a teaching assistant and spent many years supporting students, particularly those with English as an Additional Language (EAL).
As someone who speaks four languages and has experienced learning languages myself, I understood many of the challenges those pupils faced. Supporting them was incredibly rewarding, but I always knew that one day I wanted to become a fully qualified teacher.
The timing just wasn't right while my children were young, so I waited. Once my youngest child had grown up and gone on to university, I decided it was finally my time.
Choosing the apprenticeship route
My school introduced me to the QTS and PGCE Apprenticeship route with Coventry University's National Institute of Teaching and Education, and it immediately made sense for my circumstances. I had already spent years working in education, so the opportunity to continue working while training was invaluable. Being able to earn a salary while gaining both QTS and a PGCE meant I could pursue my ambitions without putting additional pressure on my family.
Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful that I took this route.
Discovering the theory behind effective teaching
One of the biggest surprises for me was realising how much I didn't know, despite years of classroom experience. I had seen teachers use routines every day. Pupils lined up outside classrooms. "Do Now" activities were displayed on the board. Certain systems and structures were always in place. But I didn't really understand why.
Through my training with NITE, I began to understand the research and evidence behind effective teaching and behaviour management. I learned that these practices aren't random. They are grounded in educational research and designed to create calm, purposeful learning environments. That knowledge transformed the way I approached teaching. It gave me confidence because I wasn't simply following routines anymore. I understood the purpose behind them and could make informed decisions about my own practice.
Learning to reflect and improve
Perhaps the most valuable lesson I have taken from my training is the importance of reflective practice. NITE encouraged me to think deeply about every lesson I taught. Rather than moving on to the next task, I learned to ask myself:
- What went well?
- What could have gone better?
- What should I do differently next time?
- How can I build on what worked?
Reflection has become part of who I am as a teacher. It helps me continue learning and developing every day.
The training also helped me recognise my own teaching style. I would describe myself as a nurturing teacher. Being a parent and having worked with so many different students over the years has taught me the importance of relationships. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
Bringing theory and practice together
One thing I particularly valued about the programme was the way learning and classroom practice worked together. I'd spend time applying ideas in school and then discuss those experiences during online sessions. Equally, I could take new ideas from training and try them immediately in my classroom. That constant connection between theory and practice made the learning meaningful and relevant.
I also loved learning alongside trainees from different schools, communities and backgrounds. The opportunity to share ideas and experiences with people from across the country broadened my perspective and gave me new approaches I could use in my own teaching.
Overcoming challenges with support
My training journey wasn't without challenges. Shortly after registering for the programme, I lost my mother. It was an incredibly difficult time, and there were moments when I questioned whether I could continue.
However, the support I received from NITE, particularly from my mentor, made a huge difference. She was always available when I needed guidance, reassurance or someone to talk things through with. Whether I needed academic support or simply encouragement, she helped me keep moving forward.
As someone training to teach English, I also needed to strengthen my knowledge of some areas of British literature. My mentor provided resources, recommendations and practical advice that helped me build both my subject knowledge and my confidence. The support I received reminded me that teacher training isn't just about developing professional skills. It's also about being part of a community that genuinely wants you to succeed.
How the programme has shaped my career
When I started the programme, I lacked confidence in some areas of teaching. Today, I am teaching top-set Year 10 English classes. If someone had told me that at the beginning of my training, I would have struggled to believe them. The programme has transformed both my confidence and my practice. It has given me the tools, knowledge and resilience to succeed as a teacher.
The training was intense, and there is no denying that. But I now see that intensity as one of its strengths. Teaching is challenging, and the programme prepared me for that reality. It pushed me to develop professionally and personally, and because of that, I feel ready for the next stage of my career.
Would I recommend NITE?
Absolutely. The quality of the training, the opportunity to connect theory with practice, the support from mentors, and the focus on reflection have all had a lasting impact on my professional development.
Most importantly, NITE helped me become the teacher I had always wanted to be. It has been a challenging journey, but it has also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I am excited about what comes next.
