Teacher Spotlight is an ongoing Q&A series that draws on the rich experience and expertise of teachers from all around the world. Join us as we celebrate their tireless work and share everything from their motivations and inspirations to their career-honed wisdom and insights.
Today we’re spotlighting Chloe Williams, a British-born early years educator currently based in Hong Kong. Read on as she reflects on her own teaching journey, and shares her candid insights on what it means to be a teacher in the time of COVID.
1. Hi Chloe, great to have you here today! To begin with, we’d love to learn a little more about you and your teaching journey.
My name is Chloe and I’m originally from the UK. I’ve been living in Hong Kong since 2017 and have been working in early years education for the last five years. I have a strong ethos on bettering myself, my teaching, and my students’ educational experiences and development, and have recently completed my Master of Education from the University of Sunderland. In doing my MA I researched child mental health and well-being and am passionate about incorporating strategies and activities in the classroom which will support my students’ overall well-being and encourage parents to do the same.
My name is Chloe and I’m originally from the UK. I’ve been living in Hong Kong since 2017 and have been working in early years education for the last five years. I have a strong ethos on bettering myself, my teaching, and my students’ educational experiences and development, and have recently completed my Master of Education from the University of Sunderland. In doing my MA I researched child mental health and well-being and am passionate about incorporating strategies and activities in the classroom which will support my students’ overall well-being and encourage parents to do the same.
2. What / who inspired you to begin teaching?
My mum was my biggest inspiration to start teaching. She’s been in teaching her whole career and I’ve seen her go from a teacher to deputy head, to headteacher and back to being a teacher because she enjoys being in the classroom so much. The funniest thing is that she actually told me to never become a teacher, yet I did it anyway and it was partly because of her.
My mum was my biggest inspiration to start teaching. She’s been in teaching her whole career and I’ve seen her go from a teacher to deputy head, to headteacher and back to being a teacher because she enjoys being in the classroom so much. The funniest thing is that she actually told me to never become a teacher, yet I did it anyway and it was partly because of her.
3. What has been the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the growth and development of each child I teach. There’s no better feeling than getting to the end of the school year and taking note of your students’ accomplishments and development and knowing that you were part of that.
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the growth and development of each child I teach. There’s no better feeling than getting to the end of the school year and taking note of your students’ accomplishments and development and knowing that you were part of that.
4. What is the most challenging part about being a teacher?
The most challenging part of being a teacher is balancing student’s needs and their well-being with the expected education attainment from stakeholders such as the school and parents.
The most challenging part of being a teacher is balancing student’s needs and their well-being with the expected education attainment from stakeholders such as the school and parents.
