A GREENOCK teacher is one of the faces behind a new campaign to encourage people to consider a career in teaching.

Chelsea McDonald, a teacher at Notre Dame High School, has joined the ‘Teaching Makes People’ campaign — a Scottish Government initiative which aims to recruit more teachers, targeting both university undergraduates and career changers.

She said: “I originally graduated with an honours degree in fashion marketing and worked in retail management. 

“Though I thoroughly enjoyed my years working in the fashion industry, I never felt I had the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. 

“I therefore made the life-changing decision to become a teacher and I have never looked back.”

Chelsea says teaching is a very satisfying profession.
She said: “Being a teacher is an exciting career and brings me a real sense of fulfilment. 

“In teaching home economics, you are providing valuable lifelong skills and promoting prospective success for all. 

“It is important to me that every pupil I encounter feels valued. 

“I aim to be a role model, encouraging, motivating and inspiring the pupils to become the best version of themselves. 

“If I can make one small difference to their lives, whether that be academically, socially or personally, then that’s something to be celebrated.”

The Scottish Government says it is firmly committed to maintaining teacher numbers, and is investing £88 million this year alone to recruit and retain teachers across the country. 

For more details on becoming a primary or secondary school teacher, visit the website www.teachinscotland.scot