Name Joanna Matthews

In what year did you train? 2016-2017

Which subject did you train in? Design Technology

Which school/s did you train in? Chelmer Valley High School and Notley High School

Can you tell us a bit more about what you are doing now? I spent seven wonderful years at Chelmer Valley High School, working my way up to Assistant Head of Faculty and mentoring for Mid Essex ITT, before taking
a leap in 2023 and moving 600 miles to the Northern Highlands of Scotland! I now work at Alness Academy as the Graphic Communication Lead. It's been a
huge but brilliant change!

Thinking back to your teacher training with Mid Essex ITT, can you share with us about a highlight, fond memory or funny story? There are far too many to share just one! I fondly remember joining forces with the Drama trainees one SPS session and making a lot of noise in the
workshop for voice projection training!
Also, my colleagues at Chelmer Valley always knew when I had an IMP due, as I would turn the office floor into what they called an 'evidence carpet'!

What was teacher training like when you trained? What were the buzzwords, latest theories or popular pedagogy? Bloom's, 'chunking' and Talk Less Teaching.

Thinking back to your teacher training, what was your key takeaway from Mid Essex ITT? It's ok if not every single lesson goes exactly to plan! The ones that don't make us better teachers.

Thinking back to your teacher training, is there anyone who supported you whom you would like to recognise or thank? I've made friends for life, and I was trained by an incredible team of SMs, PMs, LSM and Course Tutor (wonderful Keith). However, Sophie Allchin deserves a
special mention- almost a decade after meeting her I have still been able to call on her for support and she has provided it just as she did in my training year.
She is absolutely outstanding!