Moray locals interested in teaching were given the chance to find out how to get involved in the profession at a showcase event yesterday.
DYW Moray has joined forces with Moray Council to spearhead a campaign aimed at inspiring people to become teachers in the region, which has struggled for years to attract staff to fill vital classroom posts.
The event, held at Moray College, was a way for prospective teachers to discover why the area is a thriving environment in which to work and receive help and guidance about the application process.
It was a packed evening, with people from all ages and walks of life attending to find out how best to approach a career in teaching.
Sarah Baxter, manager at DYW Moray, believes the excellent turn-out provided proof that there is an appetite for more locals to adopt a career change.
She said: “It’s absolutely evident from tonight’s turnout that we do have a great interest in the teaching profession in Moray and I hope they got the most out of the evening.”
>> Keep up to date with the latest news with The P&J newsletter
The event was varied, with two workshops arranged to highlight the different ways of entering the profession and attendees were then treated to local success stories.
Case studies were also shared, featuring current members of staff and highlighting how they advanced to their first job in the classroom.
Anna Mulford, music teacher at Lossiemouth High School, combined her love for music and teaching by undertaking a Music Education Degree at Aberdeen University which allowed her to do both at the same time.
She said: “Teaching in Moray has opened up so many opportunities than I would have got from teaching elsewhere.
“Teaching in a school next to RAF Lossiemouth gave me the opportunity to write a song with my pupils – RAF100 – and this opened the door to a year of performing our song to a variety of audiences across the UK.”
The Teach in Moray event is just the latest initiative launched by Moray Council to attract more teachers, and they have had some success in that objective.
The number of vacancies dropped at the beginning of the current academic year by nearly half the previous year’s total.
