"As time went by and my family started growing up, I decided to try and get a better job, so I came to Lewisham Southwark College. I saw that the college offered vocational courses, which meant I could improve my English and train for a job at the same time."
Having come to the UK from Kosovo in 1999, at the age of 18, Violeta initially did a variety of jobs, such as working in restaurants, as she didn’t speak much English at the time. ‘As time went by and my family started growing up, I decided to try and get a better job, so I came to Lewisham Southwark College. I saw that the college offered vocational courses, which meant I could improve my English and train for a job at the same time, so I enrolled on the Level 1 Teaching Assistant course.
As part of the course, students are expected to find and take up a placement in a local school, and as Violeta was interested in working with teenagers, she applied for a placement at a local secondary school. ‘I felt nervous at first, approaching a school, but my tutors supported and encouraged me, and I was chosen out of 8 applicants to start a placement there two days a week.’
Violeta went on to qualify as a teaching assistant at Lewisham Southwark College on the CACHE Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning course. She was enjoying studying, so went on to take the Level 3 Teaching Assistant course. "Towards the end of the Level 3 course, I was offered a permanent job at my placement school, in 2015. That was three years ago, and my role has since developed further. Currently, I am responsible for running the Special Learning Centre at the school, which supports SEN pupils, as well as pupils needing extra support to prepare for exams. I feel I am now helping these pupils to achieve their goals.
Looking back over her learning journey, Violeta says, "When I look back, I feel very happy with what I have accomplished. Things were very hard at times, as with a family to support, I sometimes had to combine work and study. However, it was worth the effort. I hope I am now a good role model for my children."
