#RSMFridayFastFive – Mrs Bessant
Why did you choose a career in teaching:
I loved my time in education from a very early age thanks to many wonderful, inspiring and dedicated teachers who provided an incredible and happy environment and learning platform for me.
I was a real chatterbox as a child, some would say a natural communicator with an abundance of energy, quite bossy but patient, who loved being around people and helping them to learn new skills, face challenges and try new things! It became very obvious that these attributes lent themselves when I was in my late teens to coaching a variety of sporting activities to children of all ages then progressing to the more formal teacher training programme.
Favourite subjects:
My family were globe trotters and from very young I was taken on some incredible journeys so Geography and History featured high on my favourite school subjects along with Biology and of course everything active!
Why Lower School:
My first teaching post on finishing at Uni was in the secondary sector teaching Biology and PE to 11 to 16 year olds. In my 5 years in the role I was fortunate to work with some incredibly experienced teachers from whom I learnt a great deal.
I was then given the opportunity to transfer my skill set out into industry and was fortunate enough to be taken on by a Blue Chip company, Redland PLC, where I worked for a subsidiary company Redland Roof Tiles. They sponsored me to do a Graduate Diploma in Marketing and placed me on the Management Trainee scheme where I gained so much experience, working on many projects in the marketing department including the rebranding of the company. I remained with them for 14 years and left when I had my son James, now 22!
With the arrival of James, I was fascinated with child development and learning and, when approached by an old colleague when James was 4, jumped at the chance of part-time teaching work at RSM. From there the story unfolds, I have not looked back and have been at the school for the past 16 years in a variety of teaching and middle management roles.
I have a natural affinity to the Lower School as this is where I feel children do ‘most of their growing,’ and I feel incredibly privileged to play a part in that.
Most memorable moment in teaching career:
There have been millions over the years but everyday is memorable, ever changing, that’s the nature of working with children and also everyone at RSM!
My Favourite Quote:
I have many, but my dear Dad always said part of this one and this is how I try to live my life.
‘Live life to the fullest. You have to colour outside the lines once in while if you want to make your life a masterpiece. Laugh some every day, keep growing, keep dreaming, keep following your heart. The important thing is not to stop questioning.’ Albert Einstein.