5. First Day Feelings

Katie joins with KICK's Joe Lowther to chat through the difference we make by being Christians in the classroom, and the needs of so many of our children and young people to encounter Jesus and get into church for themselves. Joe and Katie chat through the difference that Jesus makes to our character and our chemistry in schools, the amazing work of KICK in sport, mentoring and chaplaincy and how we can go about living out our school values with integrity, all the time being ready to point to Jesus. And that's just a few of the great topics they cover - phew! You can listen to the podcast right here or find it on Spotify and iTunes. KICK transform young people’s lives, with God’s love, through sport and support. They do this through values-driven physical education, street dance, mentoring, chaplaincy in schools and community KICK Academies.

Have you thought about teaching in non-mainstream settings? Or perhaps you've recognised the challenge it is to meet the needs of every kid in your classroom. Elaine, working in AP, and Millie, preparing to specialise in SEND, share their thoughts and vision for this corner of the sector.

Have you ever wondered if there's a way of tapping into recent developments in Education research without reading a load of books - there is! And it's on Twitter/X. Listen in to Mike (@Miketylersport) chatting with Katie about how to make use of this platform. It may not be the bees knees for socialising online but it could really help your classroom practice! And not only this, Mike isn't shy about his faith either.

Living life, studying to be a teacher, heading into schools and still seeing everyone at uni is a busy time. Luke Sherwin of Christian Unions Ireland chats with Jess and Dan about being students, nearly teachers and wholehearted followers of Jesus. If you want a headline, it's joy. Joy overload in this episode of the Teaching Network podcast.

'Have you thought about teaching?'. What humanities undergrad hasn't been asked this? Especially if you don't sound 100% of the job you want when you graduate; we've all been there! Katie is joined by Andrew, a head of sixth form and R.E. teacher who did think about teaching. They chat about what it looks like to teach children about faith, begin in this career and things to think about if you're thinking about it. Michael from the Theology Network and Emily join in too for a one-off special collab. and talk about their potential future careers in the classroom.

Listen in to Zanna (UCCF Staff Worker) and Bryony (ECT) as they chat through Bryony's training year. Don't miss out on this one!

Stepping into the classroom could be considered an act of boldness any day but the first day of a new term or placement, that's big. Ben, Lucy and Katie chat through big things they face in their first years. Nigel McQuoid joins us again to talk through what it can look like to be really bold in the everyday teaching life. 

The end of August means new school shoes, stationary shopping and fresh books to write your name on. September (for students) means fresh trainers, packing bags (again) and stretching your legs back onto campus. What's it like to step into the classroom as a teacher for the first time? Join Ben, Lucy Nigel and Katie as the Teaching Network chat all things new, different and fresh term feelings. 

How does Jesus meet us as we teach? What is there for us in the gospel as we step into the classroom? Have a listen to Graham Coyle's thoughts on Isaiah 53 and spend some time listening to what Gd might have to say to you today. This is the final episode including an excerpt from Graham Coyle's book To Infinity and Turn Left.  To purchase the book, head to Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Infinity-Turn-Left-Exploring-Christian/dp/B0882JSDP7/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3BHOV56V58AOD&keywords=to+infinity+and+turn+left&qid=1644326391&sprefix=to+infinity+and+turn+left%2Caps%2C65&sr=8-2 

In this second of three special episodes, the writer Graham Coyle takes us through Isaiah 35, pulling out plenty of goodness for the weary teacher soul. If you're keen to read more, find his book, To Infinity and Turn Left, on Amazon