We interviewed Andria Zafirakou, the UK’s first Global Teacher Prize winner, to find out more about her work, as well as her views on the teaching profession, using questions from our World Teacher Survey.
First of all, congratulations on winning the Global Teacher Prize – how does it feel to win?
Amazing, incredible, honoured! I think mostly honoured – I did not expect this to be the case, that I was going to win. And honestly, hand on heart, there are so many other better teachers out there in this world, but luckily, I’ve been recognised.
We understand that you work in one of the poorer communities in the UK – what are the challenges of this?
It can be quite frustrating because you’re dealing with situations whereby sometimes you’ve got children that come in to school hungry, which means they can’t concentrate. You are dealing with children that have very hard lives, and what they’re experiencing at home is not the best situation for any child. I’m also looking at things like their state of dress, if they look neglected, and how well equipped they are. So, there are challenges there, but what you do as a teacher, you don’t focus on them, you never ensure that children linger on those challenges, or let them think that it’s detrimental to their learning, because it’s not.
You work in an ethnically diverse area – how do cultural differences affect your approach to teaching?
I think it’s the best part of my school, because we’ve got an incredibly diverse mixture of nationalities, and what we’re doing is helping the students socialise and learn about these different types of experiences that other students are having. Obviously, there are language barriers that we do experience, which can prevent a lot of the initial teaching and learning. But what we do to support that is we make sure we have staff in place, like bilingual teaching assistants that can be the bridge to help them access that. But not only that, it’s the way you teach in the classroom, by having more visuals. What is key is making sure you are trying the bring in the cultures of your students within the delivery of your lessons.
You’ve learnt the basics of 35 languages, which your pupils speak. How did you find the process of learning these languages?
We do have an influx of students who come to our school throughout the year, depending on how they have migrated to the country. And they have been told that they have got to go to this school, and they come to us and they have no English language knowledge whatsoever. And they are scared, and their families are intimidated when they are walking in to a huge establishment – it’s terrifying for them. So just by saying a simple hello with a huge smile, you’ll find that the parents engage really quickly, and they feel comfortable. They feel like you’re interested in their life, so you then have a really good foundation on which to build a really good relationship between the teacher, or the school, and the family.
You are involved in work beyond the school gates, for example, with local police to ensure safe travel to and from school. Do you think it’s important for teachers to extend their responsibilities to pupils outside of the classroom?
Teachers are working incredibly hard, the work that my teachers do after school and the hours they put in just blows me away. I know where our children come from, I’ve been at the school for twelve years, I know our neighbourhood, I know the issues, I know the situation. So, for me, greeting them in the morning, and making sure they are ok getting home, is just a small little touch that we do. I’m a senior leader, so I have the pleasure of growing new staff and the first thing I say to them is make sure you are building your relationships, and relationships sometimes happen outside the classroom. So, going out and playing football at break time with them, sitting next to them while they are having lunch – these little things mean you are building up knowledge of the children and you’ll find that they really appreciate that. The children are being looked after and cared for, you’re interested in them, they’re not just a number, they don’t feel like their journey there has no meaning.
What are your personal goals for your teaching career in the next 5-10 years?
Thanks to the Varkey Foundation, I’ve got this incredible platform, I’ve got this opportunity to really make a difference, and to support teachers and to bring some positivity back in to our country’s education system. One of the things I’m really passionate about is the arts in the curriculum. I feel they are not as highly regarded as STEM subjects, for example. I’m not saying that STEM subjects are not good, obviously my children thrive on these subjects as well at school, they are vital subjects. But I also think that the arts subjects bring some incredibly important skills which our children need when they graduate and they are competing for jobs on a global scale.
What we need to do is get arts in school for every child. So, I’m thinking of finding a way of bringing artists, musicians, designers and film makers, these incredible creative industries and professionals who are doing fantastic jobs – I want them to come in to school and show our children what it’s like. And not only do that, maybe do some projects with them, so they can grow, they can understand. For example, if they want to go in to maths, with maths they can do engineering or the set for a particular Broadway show. You can see how you can combine the arts and the STEM subjects to create and be a part of really exciting careers.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
It wasn’t a choice that I ever had to make, I think the only choice I had to make was when I was going to do it. When I was young, in my primary school my teacher used to tell my parents that I was far too bossy, that I used to tell the teacher how to do their job. It’s just always been there, but what was quite important for me was to establish who I was first in terms of my own artistic profession. After I graduated from University, I wanted to experience the different areas of the textiles industry so I could be clued up and savvy.
As a teacher, what one thing do you need more of?
Time, for sure, because the day goes so quickly. Money, without a doubt. Teachers need to feel more valued because I don’t think they are being valued at the moment. And how do we provide value in this country? It’s with money. The problem is, teachers work so hard, they work above and beyond, it’s not a 9-5 job, it never will be. They work during their holidays – yes, they have holidays, but I can guarantee you they’re working. Teachers are inside doing additional classes, getting kids ready for their exams. I think another thing teachers need more of is appreciation. Teachers are so conscientious, they don’t want to get it wrong, they don’t want to fail the kids at all, but on the other hand they’re working themselves to ground.
In general, do you think your role as a teacher is respected by your students? By the general population? By your family and friends?
In my school, from the families in my school and from the community – yes, from my family and friends – definitely. By people who are unknown to me, and the government, I would be hesitant to say ‘yes’. I don’t think people ‘get’ teachers, and what they do, unless they know a teacher.
Would you recommend teaching as a profession to a close friend or relative?
I have, I will always do that, I think it is the greatest job in the world, but they need to go in with eyes wide open about what it really is, because it is hard and it does not get easy. You learn to pick up pace, you learn to work on a level of adrenaline. I’ve got a really good friend of mine that’s gone in to teaching this year, and he’s enjoying it, but he’s burnt out, and he’s now thinking, ‘I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to do this for’. And you feel responsible, but then you think well this is it, this is our world.
I’d say to them speak to teachers, shadow a teacher for a week, so you can get to know what it’s like. Because otherwise they won’t get it. It doesn’t end, but teachers have got to have a mind-set, that if they don’t do that – will the world end? And that’s the message that I am giving to my younger members of staff – if you don’t do that, what’s the consequences?
What do you enjoy most about your job?
All of it, I love the challenges, I love seeing children grasp what I’m teaching, and developing their own work, becoming really great individuals. I love it when my children graduate and they come back and become teachers. I’m actually working alongside people that I used to teach! And also, it’s just such a fulfilling job. Even with the challenges we have to deal with, it’s still worth it because you know you’re making a difference, you’re changing lives, you’re developing people.
What would you say are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Knowing when to stop, to switch off, to go to bed. That’s the most challenging thing, because I could literally be submerged in my teaching world forever, and not come up for air! I think marking is the one thing we need help with in the school though. As a whole, we need to crack this so it reduces our time.
What are the most important qualities you think a teacher should have?
They’ve got to be confident to show children how much they love their subject. And when they deliver it, they’ve got to show they’re enthusiastic. Children want to have someone in front of them who’s inspiring, who’s eyes light up when they speak about something. I would also say you need to like children, to enjoy learning about their world and what triggers them to be motivated. And to be very humble as well.
What would you say you don’t spend enough time doing in your job?
Reflecting on what’s gone well, what hasn’t gone well, having time to improve my skills. So, if there is a new strategy out there, it’s making sure that I say ‘let me see if that’s going to work’. It’s giving myself time to pick up new techniques and to see what’s going on on a global scale. There’s some incredible practice taking place, it’s just making sure that we’ve got access to it, but to also have a go at doing it, which, as you know in schools, there’s no time to.
In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the teaching profession today?
I don’t think that we are preparing our children correctly for the workforce in 2030, some of these jobs haven’t even been created yet! We aren’t giving them access to, or valuing, other subjects. And this is down to the government cuts in funding and the devaluation of the arts. And this is what I’m worried about – that our children will be competing for jobs and they won’t have the skills which the arts bring, because the arts aren’t a priority in this country.