What type of school do you work in?

Secondary School

What’s your favourite part of teaching so far?

Being a form teacher
Building relationships with my pupils

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Don’t take it personally, they are just kids.

Can you recommend a good teaching book?

Boys Don’t Try? Rethinking Masculinity in Schools

It examines the research around key topics such as anxiety and achievement, behaviour and bullying, schoolwork and self-esteem. It encourages the reader to reflect on how they define masculinity and consider what we want for boys in our schools.

Favourite tools, software, or equipment?

A visualizer

Who inspires you and why?

My colleagues for their resilience, energy and compassion.

When did you know you wanted to be a teacher?

In my forties, I did a maternity cover and I was hooked.

How do you unwind outside of work hours? What helps you to switch off?

Cooking with the radio on.

Melanie is a secondary school teacher based in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

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