#RSMFridayFastFive – Mrs van Pelt

Why did you become a teacher?

I am the eldest of 4 girls and so looking after children and helping and teaching them has been ingrained in me from a young age! I would spend a lot of time ‘encouraging’ my sisters to play ‘Teachers’ with me and although I didn’t go straight into teaching when I left University, I always knew that it was what I wanted to do for real when I grew up!

Why Upper School?

I have been lucky enough to work in both the Lower and Upper School and thoroughly enjoy teaching in both Key Stages. However, I have to admit that the children in the Upper School understand my sense of humour a bit more! I also love to see the depth and variety of work that the children manage to produce.

Favourite Subjects at School?

PE was my favourite subject at school. I am rather competitive and loved playing lots of sports but particularly hockey and tennis. I also really enjoyed History and find learning all about what happened in the past fascinating.

Most Memorable Teaching Moment?

This is a tricky question as there are quite a few. I do love taking children on school trips as their excitement is infectious and they learn so much. In my first year of teaching, we took my Year 2 class on a visit to a Synagogue and the man who showed us round showed us a ‘Shofar’ which is a horn like musical instrument used in Jewish religious ceremonies. He passed it to me to have a go saying it was very tricky to play and most of the teachers who had tried couldn’t do it. However, unbeknown to him, I played the trumpet and was able to play it! The children were so excited that their teacher had done something that most teachers couldn’t and at that moment, I felt I’d really made it as a teacher!!

Favourite Quote?

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

I think there is so much pressure, particularly on young people, to conform to certain stereotypes when we should all just try to ‘be ourselves’.