Michelle Haigh is a primary school teacher of Year 5 children at Rossett Acre Primary School in Harrogate. Before becoming a teacher, Michelle worked as an employment lawyer and was actively involved in various social mobility and outreach work in the local community – including working with primary schools, secondary schools, universities, various charities and a pro-bono legal advice project.
“…Children should have the freedom to choose which toys and / or resources suit them best without the being constrained by stereotypes. It is understandable that stereotypes can encourage simplistic ways of viewing a complex world, particularly perhaps for children. However, whilst stereotypes can enable us to make quick decisions in confusing or chaotic situations, quick decisions may not always the right ones…”
Around the world and then from law firm to classroom
After graduating from Leeds University with a law degree, I travelled around the world – visiting India, China, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Chile, Peru, the Amazon rainforest and Brazil. I returned home to complete the LPC at BPP Leeds then began my training contract with Addleshaw Goddard LLP in Leeds (completing four six month seats in Corporate, Real Estate / Commercial Property, Employment and Projects). I was highly commended in the Trainee Solicitor category at the Yorkshire Lawyer Awards and upon completion of my training contract I qualified into the employment team.
Passionate about social mobility
During my time at the firm, I was passionate about social mobility and was heavily involved in organising the social mobility initiatives in the Leeds office. I also sat on the board for the Law Academy at Notre Dame College, Leeds. My primary focus was on law student mentoring and facilitating placements at Addleshaw Goddard LLP for law students, with a key emphasis on social mobility. I was awarded Business Mentor of the Year in 2010 and was a speaker at the Lawyers in Schools Celebration Event in 2010 in London. I also volunteered with the National Literacy Trust to read with primary school children in less affluent areas of Leeds. It was my voluntary work in education that inspired me to become a primary school teacher, to make a real difference. I thoroughly enjoyed studying law and practising employment law and wouldn’t change the route I have taken into teaching. I found working as a solicitor challenging, inspiring and interesting. However, volunteering in education revealed that being a teacher would be extremely rewarding and is where I could make a real difference.
Introducing concepts for the first time as a primary school teacher – a real privilege
The variety of a primary teacher’s role really appealed to me. Teaching primary school children enables me to teach a wide variety of subjects rather than just specialise in one area – as secondary school teachers generally do. Being a primary school teacher often involves you introducing concepts to children for the first time, which is a real privilege. I am also very creative and primary teaching allows me to be creative not only with the lessons I teach but I can also use my creativity to deliver lessons to the children in a fun, exciting and (hopefully!) memorable way.
Transitioning into the new academic year
This year is the end of my first year teaching my own class. I felt extremely proud of what the children had achieved both academically and how they had grown as individuals too. We ended the year with a treat day, which the children had earned through their hard work and determination. Throughout the year, I reflect on what ideas worked, what lessons went well and what I felt was successful practice. Being a reflective practitioner enables me to continue to use the successful parts of my teaching practice whilst also developing any new ideas I may have to deliver even more effective learning for the children. Most of the ideas I have for teaching are largely driven by the particular class I have and what interests them. After getting to know my new class, I will be able to tailor my lessons in a way that engages and interests them. I enjoy coming up with new ideas and I am privileged to work in a fantastic school (Rossett Acre Primary School) where I have inspirational and supportive colleagues who also have excellent teaching ideas which we can all share.
Avoiding gender stereotyping in the classroom
Day to day, I make a conscious effort to avoid gender stereotyping in my teaching. I agree with the sentiment of the Let Toys Be Toys campaign that, “Toys are for fun, for learning, for stoking imagination and encouraging creativity. Children should feel free to play with the toys that most interest them.” Children should have the freedom to choose which toys and / or resources suit them best without the being constrained by stereotypes. It is understandable that stereotypes can encourage simplistic ways of viewing a complex world, particularly perhaps for children. However, whilst stereotypes can enable us to make quick decisions in confusing or chaotic situations, quick decisions may not always the right ones.
For the next academic year…
My plans for the next academic year are to enable all of the children I teach to reach their true potential, for the class to work together as a team and look after one another and for the children to enjoy learning!
http://www.rossettacre.n-yorks.sch.uk/
https://uk.linkedin.com/pub/michelle-lamont-haigh/21/920/265
