"I had teaching experience and was confident in my professional abilities but felt I needed to improve my language skills, and my understanding of the English education system to be ‘work-ready’ in the UK, so I decided to start again from the bottom of the ladder."
Having previously gained experience working as an Art and Art History Teacher in Riga Engineering College in Latvia, Marite decided to use this as a basis to train as a teaching assistant in the UK.
Shortly after settling in Lewisham, Marite applied for an ESOL vocational course at Lewisham Southwark College (Teaching Assistant Level 1) which enabled her to improve her English and Maths whilst learning about the English education system, and taking up a placement at a local primary school. “I had teaching experience and was confident in my professional abilities but felt I needed to improve my language skills, and my understanding of the English education system to be ‘work-ready’ in the UK, so I decided to start again from the bottom of the ladder.”
Marite went on to study the CACHE Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools course at the college. As a part of her qualification Marite did a placement in the Supported Learning Department in the college, using her Art background to assist students with additional needs in their Art sessions.
"It was a great opportunity for me. I was working towards my qualification, and continuing to study English at level 2 as well. Additionally, I was able to use my background in teaching Art to help students in Art lessons and generally in class. Even though I had never worked with special needs students before, I found it interesting and a new area of professional development was opened up to me. We had great fun and I would have never imagined that I would find a passion for working with special needs students.”
After completing CACHE Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools course, Marite was employed in the Supported Learning team in the college. For more than two years Marite worked as a Learning Support Assistant on the Art & Design course, assisting special needs students in Art, English and Maths. She has now progressed to a Job Coach role and spends most of her time supporting students 1:1 in their volunteering or work experience placements outside the college.
Marite is still working towards her goals and would like to seek an Art Teacher position in the future.
