Teach-Primary-Issue-19.3

Q A & 1 What is your idea of perfect happiness in your job? When you do a job you love, you never have to work a day in your life, right? That is the definition of perfect happiness for me. When waking up isn’t a chore, when preparing and planning is a joy, satisfaction is common, and impact is evident. I am fortunate to be currently doing this, but I think every teacher should get the chance to experience it. 2 What is your greatest fear at work? Being totally honest, I have always feared waking up one morning and being unable to connect with the children, not being liked, or not able to teach them well; almost as if I shouldn’t be there anymore. That’s my fear – becoming ineffective and bad at the only thing I have done for my entire adult life. 3 What is your current state of mind? I am currently relaxed and focused. I have two jobs that are flexible and achievable, whilst being intellectually and physically demanding. I enjoy challenges, so at present, I am feeling blessed. (I am also writing this midway through Ramadan!) 4 What do you consider the most overrated teacher virtue? For me, it’s the idea that in order to be a brilliant teacher, you must work constantly, sacrificing yourself, your partner’s time, and maybe even time also have some phrases I wish teachers NEVER used, such as “This will be easy/ straightforward/simple”; “Just try your best”, or my favourite, “I know this is boring, but we have got to cover it!” 7 What do you consider your greatest teaching achievement? I actually taught my younger brother A level law. He had six externally marked modular exams, (no coursework!) and he achieved an A*. In fact, he got 100 per cent in four of his six exams. For reference, he didn’t score that in his other A levels, and refused to call me Sir once. But he listened, learned, and I am very proud of that! 8 What is your most treasured teaching possession? My clicker. I can’t go and present anywhere without MY clicker. I like the way it feels, where the buttons are, etc. Sad, I know, but it has to be my clicker! with your own children. I believe teaching is a job, and we have to make sure to invest time, energy and effort in the rest of our lives, too. 5 On what occasion do you lie to your class? I might lie to my class by telling them they are all equally important to me! The reality is, I always have a special place in my heart for those who start their lives with the most difficult challenges, the most hills to run up, and the most obstacles to face. But, like Mr Wickens (my favourite teacher) taught me, I will make every single child feel like they are the most important person in my classroom. 6 Which words or phrases do you most overuse with your class? “That’s not finished!”, followed by, “If it’s not excellent, it’s not finished!” I We take the famous Proust questionnaire and pose eight of its questions to a fellow educator. Take a peek into the deepest depths of a teacher’s soul... 82 | www.teachwire.net F EATURE S BACK PAGE NAME: Amjad Ali JOB ROLE: Inclusion and CPD lead at Chiltern Learning Trust EXTRA INFO: Founder and creator of trythisteaching.com , keynote speaker, and CPD provider. Amjad is also the author of A Little Guide for Teachers: SEND in Schools , and is cofounder and trustee of the BAMEed Network Charity. “I always have a special place in my heart for those who start their lives with the most difficult challenges to overcome” @TeachLeadAAli @trythisteaching @trythisteaching.bsky.social