Anjum Zahra

Tell us a bit about yourself?

From a young age at school I was fascinated by computers and how they work, and I pursued my interest in computer science to master’s level in Pakistan. Through academia, I was able to develop an in-depth knowledge and skills base in this ever-expanding field, but my journey in computer science didn’t stop there. After relocating to the UK, I further enhanced my computing expertise by enrolling on a postgraduate PGC in IT at the University of Liverpool - which I passed with distinction.

Why did you make the move into teaching?

I’ve always been interested in teaching and, after completing my master’s degree, I successfully applied to become a lecturer in computer science at an A level college in Pakistan. I wanted to build on my teaching portfolio with a full-time post in an educational setting where I could encourage and develop young people. My passion for teaching then led me to enrol on a PGCE programme.

What’s your proudest moment so far?

At this moment I’m proud to be living the teaching dream! I know it may sound clichéd, but teaching really is one of the most rewarding professions. I love interacting with students and learning from them. I enjoy those moments when a student first understands a new concept or sees how the lesson applies directly to their lives. To be able to help students explore their strengths and then develop those strengths and skills further is extremely rewarding for me.

Any advice for someone thinking about a career in teaching?

My advice to prospective trainees is that firstly and foremost you have to love working with and around children. Once you have this passion, teaching becomes an extremely rewarding profession. I also think it’s easy to get caught up in the negativity and drama that surrounds education and teaching, but if you stay focused on the needs of the children and make that your top priority, then you’ll enjoy coming to the classroom every day to work with these amazing individuals.