Chloe Williams

Teacher Spotlight is an ongoing Q&A series that draws on the rich experience and expertise of teachers from all around the world. Join us as we celebrate their tireless work and share everything from their motivations and inspirations to their career-honed wisdom and insights.

Today we’re spotlighting Chloe Williams, a British-born early years educator currently based in Hong Kong. Read on as she reflects on her own teaching journey, and shares her candid insights on what it means to be a teacher in the time of COVID.

1. Hi Chloe, great to have you here today! To begin with, we’d love to learn a little more about you and your teaching journey.

My name is Chloe and I’m originally from the UK. I’ve been living in Hong Kong since 2017 and have been working in early years education for the last five years. I have a strong ethos on bettering myself, my teaching, and my students’ educational experiences and development, and have recently completed my Master of Education from the University of Sunderland. In doing my MA I researched child mental health and well-being and am passionate about incorporating strategies and activities in the classroom which will support my students’ overall well-being and encourage parents to do the same.

2. What / who inspired you to begin teaching?

My mum was my biggest inspiration to start teaching. She’s been in teaching her whole career and I’ve seen her go from a teacher to deputy head, to headteacher and back to being a teacher because she enjoys being in the classroom so much. The funniest thing is that she actually told me to never become a teacher, yet I did it anyway and it was partly because of her.

3. What has been the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the growth and development of each child I teach. There’s no better feeling than getting to the end of the school year and taking note of your students’ accomplishments and development and knowing that you were part of that.

4. What is the most challenging part about being a teacher?

The most challenging part of being a teacher is balancing student’s needs and their well-being with the expected education attainment from stakeholders such as the school and parents.

5. Could you share some teaching tips that you live by?

Be flexible – it’s the most important aspect of being a teacher. Another tip which goes hand in hand with the first is to always have a backup plan or backup activity up your sleeve!

6. Do you feel that the current way we are educating children fully prepares them for the needs of the 21st century?

If I’m to be perfectly honest, I would say no. I think there should be less focus on exams and gaining results by being able to recall information and more focus on teaching children to be resilient, adaptable, and self-assured to enable them to cope with the ever-changing environment and society we live in.

7. What is the greatest challenge facing teachers today?

I think the greatest challenge facing teachers today is the after-effects of COVID and the ways in which children have been affected, such as their social and emotional development. In my position as an early years teacher, some of the types of social development we would usually see at this stage, such as sharing and having the ability to work cooperatively with other students are not as visible this year due to students not having these opportunities.

8. How concerned are you about students’ social-emotional well-being right now?

Students’ social-emotional well-being is of grave concern right now as the effects of COVID are showing. Working within early years education, social and emotional development is of utmost importance and this year, in particular, students need further guidance to regulate emotions and to build relationships with their peers. On top of this, we have masks which make it impossible for students to read facial expressions and take cues.

9. Compared to past years, how much harder or easier is it to form relationships with your students right now?

Compared to previous years, I don’t see any difference in forming relationships with my students. However, I think it’s harder for students to form relationships with each other and recognise each other due to the wearing of masks.

10. How do you encourage parents to support their children’s education at home?

I always encourage parents to find out about their children’s interests and to support them as best they can. I share information with parents on what their child shows an interest in at school so that it can be further supported and nurtured outside of the classroom.

11. What are your attitudes to child protection and safeguarding? How have these developed over time?

Child protection and safeguarding are so important; all children deserve to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment and, as teachers, and it’s our responsibility to ensure this. My first ever teaching position was in an independent school in the UK for students who had been excluded from mainstream schools due to their behaviour. A lot of the children came from negative home environments and the impact and effect of this was significant. I think this gave me a good insight into what to look for and reporting procedures too.

12. What impact does trauma have on student learning? How do you address this in your classroom?

Trauma has a huge impact on student learning. As adults, when we’re having a bad day, we know we won’t be as productive, and children are the same. I think it’s important to support students in voicing their concerns and problems, and to foster a safe environment that empowers them to express their emotions. It’s also important for us as teachers to be patient, understanding, and lenient.

13. What is something you wish your students knew about you?

I wish my students knew that I am also a life-long learner as I continue to study and work on personal development. I think oftentimes our students believe that we know everything when in fact this is not the truth and for me personally, I view my role as a teacher as being a guide to my students and us being partners in the learning process. I think it would be beneficial for my students to know that whatever age you are, you don't hold the answers to every single question.

We are grateful to Chloe for sharing her experiences as a teacher with us. If you are interested in connecting with Chloe, please visit her LinkedIn profile.

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