Primary School teacher

Chris, former student of South Parade Ormiston Academy and Ormiston Maritime Academy, is now a primary school teacher at South Parade.

Chris’s path into teaching began on a two-year working holiday in Australia in his mid-20s. The trip changed his life; his two years were tough, but were filled with special moments and special people, and they helped him figure out who he was a person and what he wanted to do with his life. He was really inspired by the attitude and work ethic of people that he met that were trying to build a better life for themselves. The experience made him want to make a positive impact on other people’s lives.

When Chris returned home, he enrolled in higher education and started to work in the care sector at the same time… after 4 years of work and study, he is a qualified primary school teacher, trying to make a positive impact on the children of South Parade. Being a mature student had his challenges but he was inspired by a former, now retired, teacher.

Chris’s advice for OAT students:

• Doubts typically arise when you are unhappy with how you have acted in a particular situation. When this happens, jump back into that situation as quickly as possible, and don’t act the same way the next time.
• Learn from mistakes quickly before you define yourself by them… mistakes are inevitable in anyone’s journey towards success and understanding this is really helpful.
• Find a coping mechanism that allows you to reset and keep balance.