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CLASS OF 2021: Jessica takes learning to another level
23/07/2022
Jessica Simms, 25 from Kingswinford, has taken learning to another level by graduating with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary Education Modern Foreign Languages from the University of Wolverhampton.
Jessica had always had a real passion for languages and had always wanted to be a teacher. She’s now working at St Matthias Secondary School in Wolverhampton, teaching Spanish – fully utilising everything she has learned on her teaching course in the School of Education.
She said: “I’ve always been passionate about languages. During my Undergraduate degree I had a really positive experience with living abroad and I really saw the value of learning a language and being able to speak to people from other cultures and that’s really something that, in this country, we definitely need in our education system.
“I had positive experiences at school and it was my ambition to become a teacher.”
Whilst studying for her PGCE, Jessica did a work placement at St Matthias and really benefited from the hands-on experience – so much so, that she was offered a teaching job there.
Speaking about the degree course at the University, she said: “It was a great balance between learning the theory as well as gaining the pedagogical knowledge you need as a teacher but applying it in a real classroom context.
“My mentor really pushed me to take as many opportunities as possible for both work experience in schools and at the University. There was a really good blend between academic and professional work experience as well.
“I’d heard that Wolves has a great relationship between staff and students as well as offering personalised support. I was a course rep and could feedback to the University and they really listened. I also got real work experience.”
Despite studying during the pandemic, Jessica enjoyed working with the close-knit cohort and benefited from support from her course leader.
Her advice to applicants thinking about studying for a teaching qualification is: “Be exactly who you are, you are a teacher but you’re also a human-being. Always be reflective about your practice and this will help you to improve. Just go for it and have belief in yourself.”
Graduates are encouraged to keep in touch with the Alumni team and take advantage of a range of benefits and support on offer to them including a discount for Postgraduate study and opportunities to benefit from mentoring, volunteering and career advice.
For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.
