Teacher Feature - Ms Harris | oktober 2020 | British International School of Ljubljana

Ms Harris joined our Key Stage 1 team in 2019, moving to Slovenia from the UK. Her dedication, care and passion for education is reflected in absolutely everything she does, and her positive energy and enthusiasm are an inspiration to others every day. Always eager to get creative and hands-on to make learning fun and exciting for her students, there's certainly never a dull moment with Ms Harris in Year 2.

How did your journey as a teacher begin?

I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher from a young age, whilst I was at school I developed a passion for Religious Education. When I was in Secondary School I had the most inspiring R.E. teacher, she was passionate about her subject and truly cared for those around her. This led me to studying Theology and Education at university, in hope that I would inspire young people in their developing years. During my time at University I was placed with younger students and was in awe of their enthusiasm and creativity. After my Undergraduate Degree, I decided that Primary Teaching was the path that I wanted to take. Later, during my PGCE I worked with both KS1 and KS2 classes, during this time I realised that this indeed was the right career path for me. My placement schools in Birmingham were full of extraordinary characters and passionate teachers and my focus here, for my Masters' assignments, was 'learning beyond the classroom', something I hope to study further in my career. All of these experiences, as well as my passion for travel, lead me here to BISL.

Why did you decide to specialise in Primary education?

I discovered that Primary teaching was where I wanted to be when I walked into the classroom on my first placement. I was greeted with cheerful faces of children who wanted and needed a place to learn. Every child is faced with challenges in their lives, but they still have a zest, passion and curiosity about the world. All of the hard work is worth it when you see those smiley faces every day and how far each child progresses over the academic year.

What makes BISL such a unique place to work?

It’s the children and staff at BISL that make it a unique place to work, we are all from around the world, bringing so much knowledge and understanding together. The students have taught me so much about different cultures and people. Their experiences, alongside mine, make our classroom an interesting, inspiringand incredible place to work.

How would you describe a typical day at BISL?

I always start my day with a cup of coffee, followed by an enthusiastic welcoming from my students. As much as we follow daily routines at BISL, each day is filled with new experiences, challenges and opportunities. We work hard as a team, with both members of staff and students. There is never a dull moment, from lost masks and muddy shoes, to exchanging questions about the world around us - and I love every second.

Why is the experience of an international education important for a student?

I believe that one of the most important things in life is to understand and appreciate different cultures, languages and abilities. An international education provides children with a well-rounded understanding of the world and people around us. Not only are our students able to study, but grow as individuals who are aware of the world around them. Here at BISL, we are fortunate to have the opportunity for students to study the British curriculum while becoming bilingual global citizens, which is a unique experience you can't find anywhere else.