Unsung Educators - Becci and Jenny

Unsung Educators, hosted by Adam Chapman, Senior Lecturer in Education with University of Northampton’s aims to highlight inspirational stories which celebrate the impact of teaching and all the roles which support effective learning in schools. In this episode Adam speaks to Becci O’Rourke-Holder who worked her way up to a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant following the birth of the first of four children in 2007, and after some failed attempts and while overcoming dyslexia, she will graduate with a Teaching Degree in November andis due to start a Teaching Apprenticeship in September. Joining them both is Jenny Toone who started working in the kitchen of her village school following the birth of her first child 16 years ago. After volunteering at a second school helping children with their reading and providing day to day support, she was asked by the headteacher to be come afull time Teaching Assistant and went on to get a distinction in her Level Three Teaching Assistant qualification. When the Covid pandemic hit Jenny found herself teaching as well as being a key worker for the children in her school. Discovering she had the ‘knack’ for teaching she was encouraged to apply for a Foundation Degree inTeaching.