Fotini Mansfield
Study Type: Higher Education
Study Location: The Roundhouse
Subject Studied: Teacher Training, Coaching and Mentoring
Changing career path was best move for teacher Fotini
When Fotini Mansfield didn’t get the A level grades she needed for university, she wasn’t sure what to do.
But focusing on the technical route to achieve her career ambitions has turned out to be one of the best career decisions she could have made.
Fotini went to Derby College to study for a BTEC level 3 in health and social care as it was relevant to her nursing ambitions.
While on the course she found a placement at St Martins Special School in Derby and loved it so much that teachers she worked with there suggested she trained as a teacher.
Seven years on, Fotini now has a teaching position at that school after returning to the Roundhouse two years ago and taking her PGCE.
She said: “We were only at college a few weeks before all our lectures moved online because of the pandemic.
The course was amazing, very strategic, and I didn’t mind learning remotely, although I was glad that I’d had chance to meet the other students on my course in person.
Our tutors showed us how to make full use of Teams, such as how to separate out into smaller groups online.
It was hard at first and I was a bit nervous about it but there was no need to be. I soon got used to learning online and our tutors did all they could help us.”
Fotini has been able to find her dream job at St Martins teaching pupils aged between 14 and 16. Where she covers a whole range of subjects including food technology, life skills and maths.
She added: “I love it. I’ve been at St Martins for seven years if I count my placement. It’s massively rewarding and I feel so comfortable working in a special school.
When I didn’t do well in my A levels, I was upset at the time and really panicking but I’m massively happy with the way everything has turned out.”
The course was amazing, very strategic, and I didn’t mind learning remotely, although I was glad that I’d had chance to meet the other students on my course in person. Our tutors showed us how to make full use of Teams, such as how to separate out into smaller groups online. It was hard at first and I was a bit nervous about it but there was no need to be. I soon got used to learning online and our tutors did all they could help us.