Tracy Sorrell - Bachelor of Education
The BEd course is challenging, but at the same time very rewarding. Through determination, hard work, dedication and the correct attitude I am progressing and succeeding.
”Tracy Sorrell is a mature student curretly in her fourth and final year of our Bachelor of Education.
Stuck in the world of work
It has always been my aspiration since primary school to become a primary school teacher; however, life took me in a completely different direction. It was not caused by lack of academic capabilities or willingness, but family circumstances, therefore leading me directly into the world of work.
I started my working career as a receptionist and then moved to sales adminstrator and eventually to a sales advisor. My personal life started to take shape; I met my husband and had four beautiful boys. After my fourth child I was made redundant, therefore enabling me to spend quality time with all my children. I soon found myself working voluntarily as a chairman for a play group and play scheme. This sparked my confidence and relighted my passion to follow my dream of becoming a teacher. However, with only having my husband as support with four small children, the thought of reaching my dream job seemed impossible.
Opportunities to study again
Coincidently, during this period of my life a Sure Start opened within my local area; they provided opportunites to access courses within the day and provided free crèches. I was hooked and soon began to study again; this then led me to enroling at the Adult Education Centre where I resat my GCSE in maths and become a qualified classroom assistant. I then continued my path within education and enrolled on to the Chesterfield Access Course, which changed my life forever. I will not lie and say it was an easy option because the course came with its challenges; however, I soon began to believe in myself as a person and an academic.
In the past when situations became difficult I did not have the confidence in my own capabilities, therefore hindering the prospect of reaching my full potential academically. I hated failure and would rather quit before somebody told me I was not good enough. This negative approach was soon eradicated through tutors on the access course who taught me that you have to keep going, the tutors trained me to use my strengths to build on my weaknesses. Finally, when the access course had been completed I was ready to become a competant student at university.
Applying for university
When applying for Universities I originally had no intentions of going to Derby University as according to gossip it was not a prestigious place to achieve a highly recognised degree. This was based on the idea that they accepted any student, rather than academic and worthy people. However, through speaking to other teachers within my placement school, one particular comment from a supply teacher that stuck in my mind was that all the students he has met through his varied teaching practices, he always found that the students from Derby University seemed to be happier and enjoying their training more compared to other students he had met. Based on this comment I decided to apply to Derby University as my second choice.
My access tutor influenced me to actually visit the universities I was applying for so I could gain a feel for the places themselves; this is when my decision soon changed. On an open day at Derby University I met Sharon Bell, the programme leader, her presentation, persona and passion for teaching influenced me that Derby Univeristy was for me. Also, during my interview, Sharon Bell played an important part in my decision because when I had completed the tests my old demons came to haunt me that I was not worthy of going to university let alone becoming a teacher. However, instead of running away I actually approached Sharon Bell and implied I was not stupid and asked if I should I leave. Sharon calmed me down, told me to take a break and come back for the interview. Luckily I took the advice on board and came back for the interview.
Success on the course
Finally, I was accepted by all the universities that I had applied for, but Derby was the place where I wanted to continue my journey of fulfilling a lifelong ambition of becoming a teacher. To this day I still feel this choice was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The BEd course is challenging, but at the same time very rewarding. Through determination, hard work, dedication and the correct attitude I am progressing and succeeding. This would not have been possible without the continuous positive support and input from all the staff members on my course at Derby University. Thank you.
