Getting into teaching as a profession

Ellen, Look’s Events Manager, and Megan from the mentoring team welcome six visually impaired teachers from across the UK and Canada, working in primary, secondary, mainstream and specialist schools. The panel opens with the question everyone wants answered: how do you get into teaching, and which training route is right for you? Watch to hear their honest take on PGCEs, Teach First and school-led training.

Finding where you fit

Once you’ve decided teaching is for you, the next question is where. The panel shares what it’s really like teaching in primary versus secondary, and mainstream versus specialist settings, from managing a class of 30 to working closely in a school for blind and partially sighted pupils. Watch for their honest reflections on workload and which environments have suited them best.

Classroom management, day to day

How do you spot misbehaviour you can’t always see? How do you keep track of who’s who, or read handwriting that’s too small or messy? The panel gets practical, sharing the everyday strategies they use for behaviour and marking, from having pupils read their own work aloud to using tablets and electronic submissions.

Tech, adjustments and Access to Work

From dual monitors to occupational health assessments, the panel talks through the tools and workplace adjustments that have made the biggest difference in their classrooms — and how they set these up with their schools. Watch to find out what’s available and how to start that conversation with your employer.

Handling scepticism

In this honest section the panel talk about scepticism from colleagues, parents and school leadership, and how being open about their sight loss early on has helped build trust and understanding.

Q&A: Autism, visual impairment and managing expectations

Autism and visual impairment: Are there resources or advice for people with both autism and a visual impairment considering teaching?

Managing expectations: Advice on how to communicate your access needs when starting your first teaching job?

Q&A: Teaching as a totally blind, braille-using teacher, and support workers

How do you manage behaviour and marking in a mainstream setting with no sight?

How do you arrange for a support worker before securing a job, since Access to Work usually requires employment first? Watch for the panel’s advice on making the case for support early.

Secrets to success

Q&A: What’s your secret to success? Watch for the panels parting words of encouragement for anyone starting their own journey into teaching.