Name Ross Palmer

In what year did you train? 2018-2019

Which subject did you train in? Drama

Which school/s did you train in? Brentwood County High School and  Chelmer Valley High School

Can you tell us a bit more about what you are doing now? I am a teacher with leadership responsibilities; I am mentoring trainee teachers / ECTs.

Thinking back to your teacher training with Mid Essex ITT, can you share with us about a highlight, fond memory or funny story?  I am still teaching! Since finishing my Teacher Training I have been at The Sandon School. I am now the Head of Drama and have been for 3 years. I have also had the privilege of being a mentor to my 2nd in Department.

Thinking back to your teacher training with Mid Essex ITT, can you share with us about a highlight, fond memory or funny story?  I had the induction before I was even on the course and it was my birthday, and Keith wanted to prove to us that he had already learnt everyone's names, so he made us stay stood up until he said our names. I was left standing all the way to end just so that he could call me “Ross Palmer Drama” and then get the rest of the cohort to sing to me...

The other highlight was at the end of the process, when on our awards evening myself and a few other trainees put on a performance of 'Teechers' - a play about students and their Teachers, I was the new Drama teacher trying to shape young minds and get students interested in the subject so it fit with the real world. We made sure to include as many of the cohort and mentioned Notley constantly.  It was a laugh! And I got to be in front of a crowd being silly!

Tom Sherrington, Rosenshine's Principles and Tom Bennet were the big ones. What was teacher training like when you trained? What were the buzzwords, latest theories or popular pedagogy? Tom Sherrington, Rosenshine's Principles and Tom Bennet were the big ones.

Thinking back to your teacher training, what was your key takeaway from Mid Essex ITT?  Blank page - black dot.  still use this now. We all get so caught up on the tiny negatives and forget to see the bigger and better picture.

Thinking back to your teacher training, is there anyone who supported you whom you would like to recognise or thank? Sophie - I wouldn't have been on the course without her. Keith, Kristy, Holly and Fiona obviously - their support during the training year and advice following it was always so well received. The friends I made after moving to Chelmer Valley but specifically, Jo Howse - my lead subject mentor and Josh Golds who took me under his wing and hasn't let me go even when I moved schools.