Tutor Pascale's Journey into Teaching

I became a specialist key worker, a teaching assistant working with special needs children, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. This experience has not only anchored me, but left me with positive teachings: how to work with young people, how to support families as well as how to support myself, in this process. It was like an intense learning fast track; no time to sit back, contemplate and have a cup of tea!

Cressey Primary School is a specialist school in South Croydon for young people with mental health, emotional and social challenges. The children landing there have often been excluded from mainstream or other specialist schools - thus, Cressey, being their last chance.

As I walked up the hills of Cressey Primary School every week day during the pandemic period, I remember asking myself, "Have I made the right choice?". The answer was a resounding "Yes!". I come from a family of key workers (healthcare industry). Devotion, dedication and altruism are core values in our family. Naturally, this career presented itself to me, when I was ready for it.

I have now found both passion and purpose in my day to day activities, supporting young people with special needs; mainly autistic children. This field is not only fascinating (from a psychological aspect) but very much forward-looking, as we adjust to an advanced technological world.

I am proud to see young people evolve, progress and learn. I support them in the classroom with learning, behaviour and emotional intelligence (kindness, empathy, compassion and intuition). Most recently, my path has widened, being enriched with tuition work, in addition to my roles as a Teaching Assistant and a Yoga Teacher for the 5-12 year old age group. I can never get bored!