In this episode, Donna interviews Chris Henley, a former teacher with a remarkable 35-year career in education. Chris shares pivotal moments from his teaching journey, including the profound impact he had on students, such as a former pupil who credited him with making a difference during a tough time in his life. They delve into the challenges teachers face, the importance of reflection, and the emotional complexities of the profession. After retiring from teaching, Chris transitioned to becoming a civil funeral celebrant, where he utilises his teaching skills to create personalized services for bereaved families. He emphasises the privilege of being part of such significant moments in people's lives and reflects on the transferable skills that have shaped his post-teaching career.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Teaching is not just about delivering lessons; it's about making a lasting impact on students' lives. Personal connections, like the story of a former student expressing gratitude, highlight the profound influence educators can have.

• The journey of a teacher is filled with continuous learning and self-reflection. Acknowledging mistakes and striving to improve is essential, as no teacher is perfect, and every experience contributes to personal growth.

• Skills developed in teaching, such as communication, empathy, and lesson planning, are highly transferable to other professions. The transition to becoming a civil funeral celebrant demonstrated how these skills can be applied in a completely different context.

• The challenges faced by teachers today are more complex due to societal changes, including the impact of social media and mental health issues among students. This complexity necessitates a more structured approach to pastoral care within schools.

• Transitioning from a long teaching career to a new profession can be daunting, but it can also lead to fulfilling opportunities. Embracing change and being open to new paths can lead to rewarding experiences, as seen in the journey to becoming a funeral celebrant.

BEST MOMENTS

"When I was going through that tough stage in year eight, you were the teacher that looked out for me. You made a real difference."

"You never stop learning. I can remember watching a young probationary teacher sort out quite a knotty problem in the playground. I was in absolute awe."

"It's not the things you say or do, it's the way you make people feel that has the real impact."

"Once you've been engaged, you have to meet with the family. It's exactly the same sort of scenario as when I sat and met with families in an education context."

"You know, sometimes I think it's easy to cling on to teaching, even if it's hard, because you can't think what else to do."

ABOUT THE HOST

Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades.

She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service.

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Email: Donna@lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk

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This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch.