Stephanie Keers

Seaview Primary School and Nursery Unit
  
School Website: www.seaviewps.org.uk
Subject: Learning Support Assistant
Your place of birth: Belfast
Studied at: Belfast Royal Academy
First Job: Call Centre
What it taught me: Working in the call centre taught me not to take things personally. Sometimes people just need someone to listen to them.
Family/status: Single
Best advice anyone ever gave you: Not all actions require a reaction.
Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: At times it can be challenging but it is also very rewarding to know that you have made a positive difference in a child’s life.
  
I have worked in Seaview Primary School for nearly 7 years, I am also an ex pupil of the school having grown up in North Belfast. I love working with children in North Belfast as I feel the children can relate to me and I can relate to the community.
My main role is a Learning Support Assistant, I work one-to-one with children that have additional needs and also support Newcomer children within my class. Through working with our Syrian children I developed a love for the Arabic language and have been studying Arabic in Queens. The children love being able to help me learn their language and it has really deepened our connection. 
Like all jobs, it can bring its challenges, particularly in the current climate, but we have a great team at Seaview who work tirelessly together to overcome any difficulties. The past 18 months has been a difficult time for us all working in education, but Seaview kept its doors open throughout to support those in need. I am extremely fortunate to work in Seaview with an amazing staff and pupils.