Student Spotlight - Daniel White
“Teachers come from all walks of life. And you’ll find lots of different personalities in the staffroom. There are quiet types and extroverts, big ideas people, super organised planners, natural leaders, artists, techies, thinkers, doers, people who get everyone smiling, and others who get everyone involved.
There’s no one size fits all when it comes to being a successful teacher.” – Teach in Scotland
The best teachers are passionate about having a positive impact on a young person’s future. They enjoy being challenged every day and they love sharing their enthusiasm for their specialist subject with their pupils. Having just completed his PGDE in Primary Education at UHI Perth, Daniel is now off to start his career as an inspiring teacher that pupils want to learn from, as well as bringing the fun side to his lessons. He chatted to us about his experience on the course ⬇️
Can you introduce yourself?
Daniel White from Perth.
You have just finished the Primary (English Medium) PGDE. How did you hear about UHI Perth and this course?
I have always been aware of UHI as my mum used to work there years ago. However, I first began studying for my HNC Childhood Practice in 2019. This was part of the Council’s Learn to Work in Early Years Programme. I was the first year to take part in it and being a teacher was the end goal and always a far-flung dream. I continued my studies, achieved my degree and here I am now, having got it.
What were you doing before you came to UHI Perth and why did you decide to study this course to become a Primary School Teacher?
Prior to all this I was working at the crematorium. Then I decided to work in nurseries, through the early years programme and have done that since 2019. I completed my degree in my own time, studying through UHI Perth and have now finished my PGDE.
Was the course what you expected? What has been your favourite part?
The course was better than I expected. It was also a lot harder than I had expected!
The best bit of the course for me, having studied at home for everything else, was coming in and meeting people. Taking part in the things on offer and creating lasting friendships. I entered a competition for Art through HISA and was selected as one of five winners and I was also selected as the ‘Most Inspiring Student’ and the OBI Awards. I could not, and would not, have entered these things if it were not for those on my course that supported and believed in me.
The course consists of 18 weeks of study in person/online and 18 weeks of professional practice in schools. How did you find both elements? Did you feel ready for the placements when the time came?
The course becomes very full on, very quickly. There was an induction week at Inverness which was insightful and important for understanding the full scale of the course and exactly who was going to be on calls with you from the whole of UHI.
I don’t think you ever “feel ready”. There is the trepidation that comes with it. I was advantageous that I came from a school background and, as such, I felt I had an idea of what I was going into. However, every school was welcoming and supportive of the process, making me feel like part of the team.
The placements consist of three six-week blocks of teaching practice. What schools did you do your placements in and did each one provide you with a different experience?
Our Ladies Primary School: P2. This was a great way to be introduced to the classroom. I became familiar with what a school day looks like. The lesson expectations and got a better look at the organisational process. I volunteered to take over the school football team training and got them involved with other local schools for football tournaments.
Pitcairn Primary School: P5/6. I hit my peak at this placement. I was given more responsibility, freedom of the classroom and enjoyed every single moment of this. During this time, I also got them involved in school football, began to carve my teacher identity and felt like I had “cracked” the code of teaching. I had developed an emotional check-in for this placement which is still used by the school, and I continued to develop it and would then use it in my final research enquiry. The intention is to continue to use this throughout my career as a result of how effective it has proven.
Murthly Primary School: P2/3/4. The week before starting this placement, I had lost my grandmother. This had a major impact on me, and I struggled with this placement more. This was also the summative placement, and I put a lot of pressure on myself. I think on reflection though, that these are very real events and stresses I am going to feel as a teacher and do not look back negatively, I am happy that I was able to pull myself (with support) through all of this. During this time, I became far more familiar with differentiated learning and again, I got this team involved with football at other schools that is continuing beyond my time there.
Have your lecturers been supportive during your studies?
If it had not been for my PAT, Hayley, I would not have made it through this course or achieved the heights of Inspiring Student. It’s all very well and good having loads of lecturers on the course, but a lot of the time, meetings take place over Teams, and you miss the subtle nuances and conversations that having in person can offer. Hayley was always there on the end of the phone and supportive through difficult and easy easier times. Offering the knowledge that I needed to complete the course and get me through.
Have you managed to make good connections with other students on your course?
I have made friends for life. Our cohort made a WhatsApp Group that will always exist now. We meet up regularly and I am planning a catch-up for bowling or an escape room through the summer. There are life events taking place that we all feel a part of everyone’s journey (a wedding, a pregnancy, moving homes).
You were awarded ‘Most Inspiring Student (AHE)’ at the HISA OBI Awards. How did it feel to be nominated for this and then win it?
Having studied at the UHI for several years from home, I was aware that the OBI Awards take place. Doing everything online proved difficult to interact with these. Once I came into UHI I had remembered about them but put them to the back of my mind when I realised how busy and how much time would have to be spent completing my course. It was more than a nice surprise when I heard that me being me on placements and in the classroom had made my peers and Hayley nominate me for the award.
When I went to the ceremony I had no idea of the scope of the event. I believe there had been a total of 560+ nominations over all categories and in my section alone there was 50+. I thought to myself “well it was nice to be nominated”. When I heard them read out my name, I was almost in tears and that is not the type of person that I am. I felt an enormous sense of pride (and disbelief) having been chosen the winner of the award. It is reassuring to know that when I am doing what I am doing and being me that I am inspiring others.
Did you get a chance to spend much time on campus? If so, what do you like about the campus/facilities?
I spent a lot of time on the campus. I became friendly with Viktoria at the café; she is great with everyone on the course. I use the gym and this will continue even after my studies. The lunches are always filling and unique.
Have you enjoyed studying at UHI Perth? Any highlights?
I have enjoyed studying at UHI. The highlights for me have been the other people on the course, winning the OBI and winning the art competition. I have really engaged with the extra activities on offer, and as such, am reaping the rewards. My artwork will be displayed in the Goodlyburn Building for the next year and I have a trophy for the rest of my life -reminding me that I inspire others.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of your studies?
I play football, futsal, and I go to the gym. I coach my youngest son’s football team and continue to support the schools football teams. When not with my family, I can be found at “Out of this Galaxy” – a shop in Perth where I play a card game called “Lorcana”, usually with my eldest. I am not shy in saying I am a geek, I have Mario and Pokemon tattoos and do roleplaying games and acting! I have also been on Come Dine with Me and applied for The Traitors.
Now that you have finished your course, do you have your induction teaching year lined up?
I am moving onto Braco Primary School. I am excited for this new chapter. I have already been in contact with them and will be visiting them before the end of this year to become familiar with the pupils for next term. I have been invited to attend a show that the school are putting on that I will be involved with next year, to give me an idea of the expectations of me as a teacher.
What kind of teacher do you hope to be?
Ultimately, I want to be the kind of teacher that pupils feel they would rather be coming into school to learn with than skipping out and not attending. I want pupils to build confidence, be included in shaping their lives and their classrooms and to have fun while learning. I want to take some of the play pedagogy that I practiced in nurseries and apply that to the classroom. I want learning to come organically through meaningful and lasting experiences.
And finally, what advice would you give to someone thinking about studying the PDGE at UHI Perth?
Make sure you have chosen this course for the right reasons. The course is hard, it will leave you questioning your decision, working non-stop for the entire academic year and without a lot of free time. Don’t drop at the first hurdle and trust the process. It will be the most rewarding decision of your life, but the scaffolding must be put in place. Make connections with your peers and form strong bonds by sharing your experiences and your feelings. This will help you and others reflect and make it through. Never stop, never stopping.
