The day you stop learning is the day you stop living.
My Dad never stopped telling me this and it wasn’t until I began teaching that I understood what he really meant. That may seem odd as I was doing the teaching and the youngsters were doing the learning but it wasn’t as simple as that, for every interaction was an opportunity for me to learn. Perhaps the most important lesson I learnt was humility as I didn’t and don’t have all the answers.
Now as I look back I think how privileged I was. I have taught in five schools with children aged 7-18. single sex, co- educational, independent and maintained state. I have been a Head of Department ,a Pastoral House, Deputy Head and I spent my final 10 years as a Head Teacher of schools in Cambridge and Bedford.
Increasingly schools have adopted a holistic approach to education and PHSE is now a mandatory part of the school curriculum . In my 30 years in the classroom I have witnessed PHSE lessons that were outstanding and the best have been quite brilliant and inspiring, equally I have sat through lessons that have been awkward, ill judged and poorly delivered.
Now perhaps more than ever we need to get this right, which is why I am so excited about working with the inspirational team leading the project youbeforetwo.
All the resource material is age appropriate, factually accurate, prepared and delivered by specialists. The endorsement by the PHSE Association is a mark of the quality of material that is available.
Youbeforetwo is a very committed and creative charity which cares deeply for our young people… be a part of its future.
Michelle is an experienced operational and strategic senior manager with 10 years experience in the NHS. She is currently studying an MBA in Strategic Management and recently accomplished the Board Directors Programme. Michelle has an interest in the governance and development of services.
Kelly is a registered nurse and has had a varied career that has crossed both education and health and usually involved supporting young people. She joined You Before Two in its infancy, initially to support with delivering Workshop around Sexual Health and Contraception as that was her ‘day’ job at the time. She has more recently moved into a Safeguarding Children’s role in nursing and so has become the Safeguarding Lead at the charity. Its great to see how You Before Two has grown in the last 3 years and it’s a pleasure to be part of it.
Andrea is from Brazil. She emigrated to England around 15 years ago and she loves it. She has always worked with people in her life, and it is something that really fills her soul. During her early years in Brazil, she used to work as a volunteer in her church providing free soup for people in need and also visiting hospitals trying to cheer up those in need of a chat or a cuddle. She has always believed that we should help each other and now more than ever. We are living in a very busy world where sometimes even when you are surrounded by many people you are still feeling lonely. Therefore she believes that if she could help the next generation to go through life without all the worries and concerns that she had when she was that age, is just an amazing opportunity.
Fiona has over 20 years experience as a Solicitor. She is a Senior Partner for a firm in Rotherham. Fiona has an avid interest in education and supporting young people in an increasingly challenging world. She has a wealth of experience of being on charity boards and is You Before Two’s legal and policy expert. Fiona has been with You Before Two since its inception and is a dedicated and dynamic member of the team.