Natalie Clark, Integrated College Glengormley

https://integratedcollegeglengormley.com

Subject or Primary school year: ICT

Your place of birth: Belfast

Studied at: Queens' University Belfast

First job: Teacher of ICT

What it taught me: I learned that I loved working and interacting with young people and that my passion was most definitely within the area of Pastoral Care.

Family/status: Married

Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: If you are passionate about pursuing a career in Teaching, you will be rewarded for your hard-work and commitment to young people. Teaching is more than a job, it is a vocation and one in which you have the privilidge in which to make a difference to the lives of others, through your care, committment and passion to educate and inspire the future citizens of the world. To help prepare for securing a Teaching post, I would recommend that you seek out as many opportunities to work with young people in Schools, Churches, Youth Clubs on a voluntary basis. This will allow you to obtain a more thorough understanding of the needs of young people and the importance of positive relationships.

I have been teaching for the past 18 years and I am currently a Senior Leader in Integrated College Glengormley (formerly Glengormley High School). As a past pupil of Glengormley High School, I am delighted to be back serving the community in which I grew up. I currently lead Attendance, Pastoral care and the Transformation of our school, following Integrated status - I absolutely love my job. I especially love working with young people to inspire pupils to be their best, whilst supporting young people to overcome barriers to their learning. Prior to joining Integrated College Glengormley, I spent 17 years teaching in Belfast Model School for Girls, as an ICT Teacher. This is where I developed my passion for pastoral care, through roles such as Head of Year and Head of Department.