Afbeelding
When Sanne completed her teaching assistant course at the age of 17, it was difficult to find a full-time job. “I worked a few hours a week as a teaching assistant, but I couldn't make ends meet. When I was given the opportunity to work in a lunch restaurant alongside my teaching assistant job, I jumped at the offer. At my peak, I juggled five jobs at once. In hindsight, I was actually seeking my career passion.”
Taxi
For years, Sanne worked as a driver, switchboard operator and scheduler for taxi company Waaksma. “During that time I drove a group of children to school and back every week. I loved that. I enjoyed their questions and their lack of inhibition. I did not make the link with education at the time. In fact, I took on a job as an intermediary at a temping agency. Every day I engaged with construction workers, pavers and production employees. And although I learned a lot and gained experience, I still felt something was missing. On a drizzly Sunday morning I flipped through the newspaper and noticed a teaching assistant vacancy. I thought: I have the right diploma, so why not apply?
Jumping for joy
“I will never forget my first day as a teaching assistant. I drove back home in the car and thought: the children are challenging me and I am so looking forward to tomorrow. Maybe I should be a teacher. After lengthy discussions with family and friends I had no doubt that I wanted to study to become a primary school teacher. The scariest thing after that was pressing the registration button. The next step was taking several admission tests. When the postman arrived with two large envelopes, you could feel the tension in the air. I opened the envelope and read the first line: Ms Faber, you have been admitted. I can remember jumping for joy.”
Pieces of the puzzle
“I had already gained basic teaching assistant knowledge, but higher professional education was completely new to me. Thanks to the study programme, many pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. For instance, I am currently learning all about pedagogy, which is helping me to better understand the idea behind subjects such as arithmetic. And I am learning how you can then convey that teaching material to students. The study programme gives me lots of tools that I can use in the classroom. I am lucky enough to have a really nice group of students. Everyone is very open and not afraid to share their uncertainties. I think the big advantage of part-time education is that you study along with people who have all deliberately decided take the course.”
Hurry when you have time
“I was quite anxious at first, combining family with work and studies. My partner is also studying so we live on a tight schedule. We discuss things regularly and leave off doing things; if we have had visitors two evenings in a row, we don’t plan anything for the next few evenings. We have hung a cute tile on the bathroom wall: hurry when you have time, then you’ll have time for when you’re in a hurry. And it’s all about making choices. Shall I watch Netflix or peel potatoes so that I can study a while before dinner? I constantly remind myself why I am doing this. It’s to become a teacher at a nice primary school.”