#bbcInterview2 with @emmccatt
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First, tell us a bit about
yourself.
I live in London and I teach in an inner city South East London school,
which I absolutely love. KS1 and EYFS is where my heart lies. Being in a one
form entry school I'm a bit of a Jill of all trades. I'm currently EYFS/KS1
lead and Maths and Art lead. I haven't always been a teacher. It wasn't
actually something I seriously thought I could do until my mid twenties. I'd always thought about teaching in the back of my mind, but had never
seriously considered it. When Schools Direct launched, with the support of my
boyfriend I decided to go for it!
Feminism, early learning and an obsessive love of all things cat related
pretty much sum me up.
- You had me until
the cat thing. Interview cancelled.
Oh come on, you've seen my cat. He's adorable.
- 1. Why teaching?
What would you be if you weren’t a teacher?
I haven't always been a teacher. It wasn't actually something I seriously
thought I could do until my mid twenties. At Uni I studied Art History and
after Uni I worked for a publishing company which is far less glamorous than it
sounds. I hated it! I'd always thought
about teaching in the back of my mind, but had never seriously considered it.
When Schools Direct launched, with the support of my boyfriend I decided to go
for it! I find it hard to imagine myself doing anything but teaching how but if
I really had to...well those who know me on Twitter know I LOVE animals so
hopefully I'd be doing something animal related, with penguins! The best animal
out there (along with cats) Are there any jobs out there that involve cats and
penguins together?!
- Some form of gladiatorial combat. You’d have to give the cats ice skates
I imagine and they would need coaching. It could replace Dancing On Ice.
I think you're onto something there. I'll let you have twenty percent of
the profits.
- 2. What advice
would you give for newcomers to twitter?
As someone who took a long time to
begin engaging on here, Twitter can be overwhelming at first. You just have to
get stuck in and be willing to share ideas and thoughts. Look for your
community. I follow people that I think are interesting, challenge my thinking,
inspire me or make me laugh. For me, it's not about followers but who I'm
following. The right people make for a positive experience. And don't worry
about follower numbers! It's easy to get sucked into the popularity side of
things and want likes, retweets and followers but ultimately it's the
connections and friendships that are made that make Twitter what it is. Take
part in the weekly #PrimaryRocks chat. It's a wonderful place to be inspired and
engage with other primary teachers.
- We can’t all be a
big deal, like me.
- 3. What are your
passions?
Obviously cats (sorry not sorry, Ben). Apart from cats I'm also a feminist
and it is a big part of my life. Gender equity is something I'll forever be
passionate about and keep banging on about until it's achieved. It impacts
every part of my life, from teaching to the books I read.
- So if I wrote a
book about a feminist cat, you’d buy it?
I would buy the (heck) out of a feminist cat book
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4. What has been your
favourite lesson ever?
I've been thinking a lot about my 'favourite lesson' and I don't know that
I have just one. What I do have are favourite things/topics to teach and I love
seeing the knowledge and skills develop as the topic goes on. This year I have
adored teaching The Great Fire of London. Teaching right in the heart of
London, it felt relevant and being able to visit sites and the kids actually
knowing and being able to visualise locations in their mind meant that the history
felt real to them. We spent the whole of autumn term on it and it was
incredible watching the children develop their historical skills. They are
proper little historians! The proudest moment for me was that lots of them were
able to discuss the validity of source materials and why diaries might have a
particular perspective, and have unreliable narrators. I know The Great Fire of
London is a standard KS1 topic but for London children I do genuinely think
it's one of the best to learn about.
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5. Who should play you in
the film of your life?
I'd love to say a really effortlessly cool person like Angelina Jolie but I
think in actuality it would be Zooey Deschanel circa the New Girl period. She
perfectly encapsulates my social awkwardness, dorky sense of humour and love of
a full fringe.
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I’d say that’s a good shout.
I mean she is me right. She totally rocks a pair of glasses too
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6. What is the best/worst
teaching advice you’ve heard?
I find that occasionally on Twitter advice can go to extremes on both sides
and it's best to find the middle ground. It's either zero tolerance or no
sanctions at all and for me there isn't a single right way to teach, or
behaviour manage! When I was gaining my teaching experience, before I trained,
the teacher I was with told me the most important thing I could do is get to
know the children in my class It isn't
particularly exciting but I do believe relationships are key, both with
children and colleagues. Getting to know people. Making connections. I wouldn't
be able to do my job successfully without relationships. Also, unpopular
opinion and completely contradicts what I've just said (classic Emma) but I
don't think displays contribute that much to learning. I've heard lots of
teachers say how important they are and always see them mentioned every year
when there are the 'NQT advice' threads. They can definitely look incredible
and create a warm environment but it terms of a learning resource...I'm not
convinced.
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7. If you were an inanimate
object, what would you be?
I've been thinking about this all day! I think probably my cat. You might
argue that cats are not inanimate objects but clearly you've never seen my cat
sleep for 16 hours straight. I had to poke him a minute ago to check he was
alive. I wish I could be more cat. We should all be more inanimate cat.
-
I'll accept that but recoil
in disgust.
One day your eyes will be opened
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And a cat will try to
scratch them out.
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8. What's your most
controversial opinion?
I've already mentioned the displays which I know some people are going to
hate (Sorry @pastelteacher!). I don't think I'm particularly controversial. I
find a lot of value from the two 'sides' of Twitter. The main thing I have
found though is things seem to come in waves and when they are given a fancy
new title everyone acts like the wheel has been reinvented! Decent teachers
have always used techniques like retrieval practice before it was a big thing
in the research world. Don't get me wrong, I'm a massive advocate! It's
something we use regularly in school and I've delivered staff meetings on it
but I don't think it's a 'new' idea. Same with duel coding. That's always been
a thing in reception class!
- I’m with
you there.
- 9. Which
4 living people would you invite to dinner?
Ok 4 people -
My little brother. He's my best friend and he's lived in the Netherlands
for the past 7 years. I don't get to see
enough of him.
Margaret Atwood because she is the Queen of all things. Everyone says read
Handmaid's Tale (and you absolutely should) but I think the Atwood book
everyone in the world should read is Oryx and Crake. Life changing and getting
scarily accurate
Roxane Gay. I'm not saying I have a favourite feminist but if I did it
would be her. Her Twitter account is hilarious and on point. My PSA to everyone
is follow her right now.
The Pope. He's a wonderful human being.
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10. What would you like to
be remembered for?
I'd like to be remembered for doing the right thing. in 200 years time if
the world hasn't destroyed itself and the BBC is still running that family tree
show I would like a c list celebrity to look through their family history, be
related to me, look at my life and say, "Yeah, she seemed like a decent,
ethical human being who loved her community, family and friends and stood up
for what she thought was right.”
Also if cats take over the world I'd quite like to be the one who helped
that happen so I guess I have do have a darker side.
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If?
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Finally….Who would you
nominate for an interview?
Nominations for an interview - Firstly, for sure
@pastelteacher
She has so much to offer and has
been a complete game changer for KS1 reading. I love what she does for her
class. She's been a real inspiration for me this year. She is also a truely
wonderful human being and if you want a little more joy in your life, she is
one to follow and interview. I'd also love to read more from
@ASTsupportAAli
. He’s been teaching forever so I imagine he's got lots of good advice and
insight to offer twitter. Just don't include a headshot. His eighties fashion
might destroy the eyes of your readers.
Thanks Ben. It's been an experience. You missed your calling.
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