Transitioning to a career in teaching

Natasha Paling used to work in financial services, but after taking a career break to look after her children she transitioned to teaching and hasn’t looked back. She has just been named Teacher of the Year in a national competition in recognition of her work to support her pupils, school and community.

When Natasha’s children, now aged 20 and 17, were young she volunteered at their school, Balfour Primary School in Brighton, and went on to become a teaching assistant. She then began a degree which she did over four years part time. She says: “It was a mad time, the boys were growing up and I was looking after my nan too. After my degree, I was lucky that Balfour agreed to me doing my apprenticeship teaching programme at the school so I could gain my qualified teacher status.”

Natasha has personal experience of neurodiverse children and she says school was challenging for her son. She says that experience has helped her be a better teacher. “I definitely take this experience into my role as a teacher, ” she says, “to try and be the kind of teacher that I needed as a parent and the kind of teacher that children need. All children are different and have different needs and personalities. Children’s needs are also changing, particularly following the pandemic, so we have to adapt to their needs.”

Natasha works with reception children and takes a team approach to teaching. She says: “I have a song for everything. Again, I’m able to take my experience as a parent into my role as a teacher. Parents can be anxious when their child starts school, which I know because I’ve been that parent. In the past, I worked for Relate and this helps me with building relationships with families. I think if you can get that relationship right, everything else really follows.”

Community work

Natasha’s wider community work was also recognised in the competition. She set up The Pantry at Balfour Primary School in the Covid pandemic and continues to run it as a resource for families across Brighton and Hove. She saw the need for a food bank and spoke to her headteacher. When the school reopened after the Covid lockdowns the food bank became The Pantry in a bid to remove the stigma attached and to encourage more people to get help. The Pantry stocks food but also other things families need from coats to Halloween items. Natasha has also managed to secure lottery funding.

She says: “One thing I remember from my teacher training is my tutor saying that being a teacher puts you in a position of trust, which means being an ally for others. And that really stuck with me. I’m passionate about all children getting the best start in life, and if initiatives like The Pantry help, then it’s worthwhile.”

Tributes include one person who said: “Mrs Paling’s commitment to the wider community and particularly to families that are more vulnerable is really incredible. She works tirelessly on running our school pantry. She is a positive beacon of light. We are so lucky to have her in our school and teaching our children. Another nomination said: “Mrs Paling is, not only a natural early years teacher, but a local beacon of sunshine and a determined community caregiver.”

Hilary Naghashi, a parent who nominated her, said: “Mrs Paling has been my grandson Zayn’s teacher in reception. I am astounded with the progress Zayn has made being the youngest in the class; he will be five in August and was a month premature. My daughter and son in law were anxious that he would be behind but his reading, writing and maths are amazing. Zayn loved going to bedtime stories one evening in his pyjamas and Mrs Paling dressed up and read stories. Zayn also loves taking items in for the community shop, The Pantry. At the end of term each child receives a personalised gift box with items she had chosen for them. What a fantastic teacher she is.”

*The Teacher of the Year competition, is led by Miconex, founders of the Town & City Gift Card concept, and sponsored by GiftRound. Natasha is pictured with some of the children she teaches and head teacher Alan Gunn.

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