Teachers’ stories: Tom Campbell

Subject:
Computing
Date Posted:
17 March 2013
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Technology teacher Tom Campbell shares some special memories from his career so far

The moment I…

…changed a student’s mind

There are often pupils who seem to start off by saying that can’t do it when, if they give themselves a chance they quickly find out they can. I remember teaching a very challenging second year class computer modelling and by simply starting with the basics and using really positive language throughout my lessons I managed to get some great computer models from every pupil in the class. Every time I showed them how to draw an item it would be followed by pupils saying ‘cool’ etc, so I knew I had the theme of my lessons correctly pitched and after that the enthusiasm of the students followed. A negative attitude by the class became a positive over a few lessons by tapping into their interests, making the lessons relevant and creating a fun environment for them to create work far superior to what they first thought they could achieve. A class of pupils mind sets changed; I still stick to this model, especially when teaching challenging classes.

... knew for sure I was in the right job

I always thought that I would be a teacher when I was growing up. It’s something I thought I could do well. However when I started teaching in schools as a student I found that being on ‘the other side’ was a completely different experience. Not every class followed the rules, some pupils did not want to learn, keeping discipline although a necessity was challenging and unnatural at times, especially as some pupils were not much younger than me at the time. This forced me to adapt and when I started to find out certain classes reacted to different teaching styles to get to that end goal I really focused on making my teaching as versatile as I could. I even made a bank of responses for certain situations to come across in a funny light hearted way and it was really effective. After my first year at Kilmarnock I felt like I was on a roll from lesson to lesson and teaching started to become quite natural, still challenging and very good fun. It was only then that I was sure I was in the right job.

... would have handled differently, if I knew then what I know now

There are loads of things I would have handled differently in the past if I knew then what I know now, but it is only through the experience of actually going through these things that you learn how to react. I often look back at ways I used to teach certain topics or deal with discipline etc. and would perhaps change the way I approached them but at the time I felt I handled certain situations to the best of my ability. As long as I thought about what I did and how I could have done it better next time I felt that I would always improve.

... remember when I’m feeling blue

In Kilmarnock Academy I have been given the opportunity of going on lots of trips and adventures – one that I go on every second year is to the France Belgium trenches. I have always had great memories of these excursions and look back fondly at the times shared with pupils and teachers when out of the school environment. It’s a great reminder of amazing adventures when feeling a bit blue. I am going back this summer and can’t wait to repeat this great experience.

... feel most proud about

I feel very proud of my pupils when they receive marks they thought they could not get at the start of the year and for that I feel a sense of pride towards myself too. Also getting nominated by my school for teacher of the year in Scotland was a touching moment as the nomination outlined all that I had done since I first started at Kilmarnock Academy. The staff at the school really notice the work of others and when I read this summary it gave me pins and needles. I hope that every teacher gets that moment at some point in his or her career.