Meet our experts: Shabnam Bibi
On work-life:
“I absolutely love coming into work! I’m lucky to work with aspiring and dedicated team members. They are ready to listen and always carry a positive can-do approach. Alongside a great team, I have the pleasure in delivering lessons to diverse students who have been given another opportunity in education or their only opportunity. They are my intrinsic motivation at work and I would not be where I am now without them.”
On the most inspiring person you have met:
“I actually don’t have an inspiring person rather I have been gifted with a range of inspiring people. At NewVIc, they are my students. I’m so fortunate to work with all different abilities of students. Despite the barriers and challenge they face daily, they never give up in trying! I honestly put my hats up to them because if they start their day with positive approaches then so can I.
Outside of NewVIc, it is my father, he is just truly inspiring. To date, there has never been a day he has not worked hard to get to where he is now. For someone who has not received any education at all, he did not see this as a barrier to what he desired to achieve. In fact he ensured his children had access to the best education and encouraged us to excel in our educational experience.
On your teaching career:
“My journey started from the moment I received a call from a member at NewVIc inviting ex-students back to NewVIc for employment after we had completed our undergraduate degree. I felt so happy that my hard work as a student at NewVIc was recognised and not forgotten. So, I applied at NewVIC as a Learner Support Practitioner- Inclusive Learning team.
The knowledge I have now is due to the immense knowledge of the expertise in the team. I always aspired to become a teacher and I immediately knew the post compulsory sector was the right field to be in. I completed my PGCE in 2014 at University of Greenwich and secured a teaching role in the Foundation Learning department. I have always been passionate to work within this department primarily because of my knowledge in both learning needs and difficulties. Furthermore, the programme offers a range of educational options; therefore, I am able to teach across the board from entry level to GCSE.
I am so happy to work at NewVIc especially being an ex-pupil who studied A levels.
My specialism is Social Science in both Psychology and Sociology. I previously taught PTOA Psychology and I now teach PTOA GCSE Sociology.
A year into teaching, I was given the opportunity to mentor a trainee teacher from University of Greenwich. This was a wonderful and invaluable experience! We worked collaboratively and ensured they completed their PGCE at a high standard, whereby they delivered outstanding teaching and facilitated their lessons to all learners in the class. By the end of their PGCE, I supported them to be equipped for the outside world by securing a teaching role at The Warrens School. My supportive work was recognised at University of Greenwich, whereby I won an award of student choice, Mentor award of the year out of many partnership colleges.
Alongside this, I was selected for the OLEVI- Outstanding teaching programme which I thoroughly enjoyed. We are now embarking on a new culture of learning and teaching; helping our peers and having an open learning approach. From this, I completed my training in Power of Coaching and I am now an accredited facilitator of coaching.
Lastly, one of my proudest achievement as a teacher was during our recent OFSTED inspection. My lesson with FL Level 1 was mentioned as outstanding under personal development- “Staff set high expectations for students. The significant majority of students work conscientiously, and produce high quality assignments. For example, a group of level 1 foundation studies students produced high-quality, accurate and well-presented information sheets on stress management*”
On student progression:
“I am so proud of all my learners as they have achieved milestones during their time at NewVIc. For example, majority of our FL Level 1 learners have progressed internally to Level 2 programmes and previously students have left with Level 3 qualifications. They feel so proud to have started off at FL Level 1 as they were welcomed and were equipped for the future. They would often say they received the best education in comparison to their secondary school experience.
I am honoured to teach GCSE Sociology to our PTOA learners as they strive to achieve their potential and more. This year, all learners performed exceptionally well and we had grades from 7 to 9!
Our previous PTOA learners have recently left with A* in their A levels or distinction in their vocational subject. They are grateful learners and they always acknowledge your hard work wherever you are in the building; this is a feeling money cannot buy.
Lastly, for all my learners, I am proud to be their teacher and feel privileged to share my teaching journey with them.”
*taken directly from OFSTED report at https://files.api.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50051236
Meet more of our experts at: www.newvic.ac.uk/experts
