I'm Sofia, currently Head of Science in a large secondary school in London, and I love making videos sharing advice and tips about teaching, and also vlogs to share behind the scenes so you know what work teachers get up to.
I have a TES shop with some resources - if there is anything from a video you see that you would like and it's not there, let me know! www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/thebrokenchalk
Any enquiries, my e-mail is: thebrokenchalk@gmail.com
This is fantastic advice Sophia, thank you for your help and I hope you are still able to make future videos. I love the statement about not leaving anyone behind, because it's so easy to do. But my best experiences was when my pe teacher ran with me as the slowest boy at the back and kept pushing me to finish. Yes, it's great to win as an individual but life is a team win as well. We are only as fast as our slowest team mate so nobody can be left behind. Hope you are still in the game of school life, all the best!
I start my PGCE secondary science next Monday. I'm already overwhelmed with the pre reading, knowledge pre requisite revision and how to organise the evidence folder. But I'm so glad I've watched your videos and thank you for taking the time to make the content.
I've got a question. When you collect students work to match the TS Criteria, do you take one example from each placement school and then you decide which one to submit? Or how many pieces of evidence is advisable to submit per standard? Thanks
I'm starting my PGCE Scitt in 2 weeks time ( age 41!) 18 yearsbof expereixne in classroms as a HLTa/Teacher. I feel like this year will be like " welcome to the out of your comfy zone year" 😢. It sounds quite busy !
Really well thought out plans. I like that you explain your thought process, for example, when the answer questions while you are teaching, therefore include children in teacher led lessons
Hi I am still in my 2nd year of Uni. I would like to go for a teaching career. In terms of PowerPoint and worksheet and test papers are they already made so all teachers can use it in the same school or every teachers has to make on their own ?
I have just moved England and applied for my QTS with PGCE. And I have been offered a place. Holding my Masters degree from Pakistan when English is not my first language, how difficult it would be for me? Feeling under confident because my English Language is basic.
Your videos are so helpful. I really appreciate your good deeds towards teaching professionals. I am about to start my PGCE secondary at the University of Manchester in September 2024. I keep watching your tips and experience, and it is fascinating that you have made progress within 3 years of being a head of subject. Congratulations on your achievement 🎉❤ It would have been so helpful if you could please make videos on your insight of us8ng ChatGPT to prep lesson planning and classroom material. Also, i would like to request that you please make a video on how you prepare class lecture, what type of lecture you normally use while ceturing such as ppt slides, etc. Thanks!
Just wanted to say that I'm really glad I found your channel. Your videos are really inspirational and fill me with hope for my upcoming PGCE and career change to secondary teaching. I know exactly where to head if I'm feeling stuck or need help with organisation/work load. I also appreciate your calm nature and positive attitude which make these a pleasure to watch and make me feel calm and positive in turn! :)
Hello, my advice would be to look at different universities that offer a teacher training programme - if you need to improve your subject knowledge, you can always do a subject knowledge enhancement course before or alongside your training. Good luck!
Thanks Sofia, this video is so real and clearly articulates the challenges faced by teachers and how much of a mental load we carry for our students. Thank you for your honesty and all of what you said resonates strongly. I can sense your teacher-guilt (for want of a better term) at not being able to meet the needs of all students, all the time but I'm sure your students will take from your lessons a sense of having a passionate teacher who genuinely cares for them, their well-being and their progress.
Hi Sofia, I'm a secondary Science teacher (Chemistry) in Australia. Thanks for another useful video. I'm off to check out Notion thank you for the tip. Yes email is a challenge! I have a similar system to you however after processing my emails I either delete (if I don't need to keep), archive (if I might need the info for later, my archive is searchable) and I leave in my inbox only emails that need to be actioned. This way the inbox is a mini to-do list. Once actioned emails are either archived or deleted. Have a great day!
Wonderful advice. I appreciate that you are helping us teachers. I hope you end up in teacher therapy youtube channel and share your experiences in Uk.
Totally agree! Thank you for the validation. Teaching is simultaniosly a very lonely and highly social activity. I've been in and out of depression in consequence of the tiredness resulting of the emotional demand of teaching and the feeling of never completing the neverending task list. Love all your videos. Keep going.
@@isabellourenco5094 I'm so sorry to hear about you being in and out of depression as a result of the emotional demand. Sometimes it's reassuring to know that you're not alone - I myself have struggled with negative emotions about teaching but still love it - such a complicated relationship ha!
@@brokenchalksofia what keeps me going is that as soon as I enter the school and the classroom greeting the kids and making a little fool of my self talking to them, explaining and answering their questions I feel my spirit lift. But it is exausting and drains my energy. But as long as I keep feeling excited with biology and geology in class I'll keep going.
Thanks for another great video Sophia. Hope you are keeping well. As a fellow middle leader, I am looking forward to hearing more about how you manage workloads and priorities across the department.
It’s a delight to watch your videos, you transmit a very peaceful energy and it really helps me get motivated to take things slowly as a secondary- school teacher in Spain. Sending love your way ❤
Is it possible to do a PGCE in chemistry (I’m assuming I will teach all sciences tbh) to become a part time tutor? ☺️ I feel I have a desire to teach in some aspect but the behavioural aspect may not be sustainable long term ✨
I think it depends on the school and also on your own professional development - don't let behaviour be the reason you don't become a teacher. If you love teaching and you enjoy young people, then worth trying a PGCE. Perhaps get into a school to observe and speak to staff and have a chat with some training programmes?
I watched a few youtube videos and then played around with it. It was quick to realise that it was so user friendly and solved my issues with writing to-do lists :)
this was really interesting and helpful! i’m starting my PGCE in secondary chemistry this month, i’m sure i’ll find implementing your advice very useful 💗 thank you!
I became Head of Biology after my first year of teaching. Everyone's journey is different though - I had worked before going into teaching which helped I think.
Your videos are super informative and are sooo appreciated!! I'm a new HOD this year at a new school and this handbook is perfect!! would love to see a copy of it and the feedback policy! ♥
I'll definitely have a think - it's a great idea! Going into teaching is a hard decision but my advice is if you'll always wonder if you should've then you probably should give it a go. The world needs more teachers.
Hello 👋🏻 congratulations on you year as HoD; it’s no mean feat! 🤓 You do seem to have a heavy TT for it though!? I miss AQA so much 😂 the SQA for Sciences just doesn’t compare in my opinion. Also, would you ever consider using OneNote instead of Notion? The 365 capabilities are really vast, especially for what you have been doing for documentation and the ability to link/ sinc with outlook for deadlines and meeting notes etc are really easy to navigate. Just a thought. Have a great summer, enjoy the rest, school starts again here next week (Scotland) 😢
Hey :) I've never tried OneNote, will check it out! I don't actually know how much HoD in other schools teach - sometimes it does feel quite a bit. I hope you have a lovely start to school next week!
