Sarah Mahood

Edmund Rice College
  
School website: www.edmundricecollege.co.uk/
Subject: Specialist Support Teacher.
Your place of birth: Dundonald.
Studied at: University of Chester.
First job: I worked as a waitress.
What it taught me: As I completed my A-Levels, I began work as a waitress. Juggling my studies alongside a part-time job taught me the merits of time management, as well as developing my interpersonal skills – finding ways to communicate and listen with customers .
Family/status: I have been married to my husband for two years.
Best advice anyone ever gave you: The best advice anyone ever gave me is to deviate from the plan. Some of the best adventures in both life and learning take place when you step away from the plan and enjoy the moment.
Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: Every day is different and, even when it’s hard, you won’t realise the impact you make on the lives of young people. This makes the hard work worth it.

Spending my post-primary years being educated at Strathearn School, I was lucky enough to have teachers who invested and cared in my potential. Over the years, these inspirational teachers, with their influence and guidance, inspired my desire to teach and the methods I employ teaching.
I graduated from the University of Chester in 2010 with a Bachelors of Theology with Honours, before completing my Post-Graduate in Secondary Education in 2011. I secured my first post in Beauchamps High School, Essex, in 2012 and started my teaching career as teacher of Religious Studies, before progressing to Head of Religious Studies in 2013.
Passionate about my continuous professional development, I undertook courses in Additional Learning Needs. This led to my appointment at Edmund Rice College as a Specialist Support Teacher.
My time at Edmund Rice College has presented truly unique challenges, particularly amid the pandemic. Despite this, I have been supported by an incredible team of individuals who aim to create a positive and welcoming environment for both students and staff.
Teaching isn’t a job, it’s a calling, and I am cognisant of what a privilege it is to be a part of this wonderful profession.