CRC begins the teacher dream for Emily

A young woman’s dream to become a teacher is fast becoming a reality as part of a journey that began at Cambridge Regional College.

Emily Jenkins is preparing to graduate from Anglia Ruskin University and has a teaching job that begins in September.

However, she says her five years at CRC Cambridge campus gave her the motivation she needed to believe she could achieve her goals.

Emily, who has worked as a primary school learning support assistant while studying, said: “CRC helped to begin my teaching dream and allowed me to grow in confidence around staff who believed in me.

 “My first two years at CRC started my journey to teaching and set me on the correct track to meet my goals. 

“I would not change the route I have taken and the amazing people I have met on the way!” 

Emily is coming to the end of her degree studies and has been accepted on a salaried SCITT with Cambridge and Suffolk Schools Alliance starting in September 2019.

She is supported by the same primary school.

Her journey began in 2013 when she enrolled for the CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young people’s Workforce at CRC.  

After completing her Level 3, and finishing extended assignments, she applied for the Foundation Degree in Early Years, Playwork and Education at CRC.

In 2015 she began her course.  

“At this time I also started a new job at a primary school as a learning support assistant,” Emily said.  

“The school valued my Level 3 and my progression onto the Foundation Degree.  

“Once I completed my Foundation Degree, I then applied to Anglia Ruskin University to a top up course which provided me with a full degree in Early Childhood Studies.” 

Christine Helme, Curriculum Quality Leader at Cambridge Regional College, said: “I taught Emily on the Level 3 Early Years course and it was very evident then she was determined to progress into a teaching career. 

“Emily worked hard to achieve high grades that supported her move to the Foundation Degree and here I had the pleasure to teach her again in her final year of studies.

“It is very rewarding to have supported Emily to achieve her dream of becoming a primary school teacher and I wish her well in her chosen career.”