My name is Natalie and I qualified as a maths teacher in 2007 from Manchester Metropolitan University. I studied Maths and Education for 3 years. I was the youngest teacher in the country in 2007! I have worked in three schools in Cheshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

Within 3 years of qualifying, I became a qualified Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) and as well as looking after our higher ability students. My main role was to develop the teaching and learning within the school and develop strong working relationships with staff.

When I moved to Stoke-on-Trent, I worked in an academy that had amazing technology as a Lead Practitioner. I was lucky enough to have almost unlimited access to a 4D classroom and I was able to create incredibly engaging lessons for students alongside my tech colleague. I miss that room! In 2015, I was able to teach for Princess Beatrice in the 4D room for our official opening.

I now work as Lead Practitioner at another school in Stoke. Alongside this, I also work as a Senior Leader of Education (SLE) for the Maths Excellence partnership across Stoke and my academy chain. I work with staff regularly on teaching and learning, and whatever support I can give. I am always learning too, which I love! I have studied for my NPQSL (National Professional Qualification of Senior Leadership) and still have career goals to stay within the remit of teaching and learning.

When I was at school, my teachers wrote me off as an average student who would remain just that, average. I then had a maths teacher who saw something in me and I ended up absolutely flying and getting really good results. This gave me the determination to be that teacher for someone else. I am not a naturally clever person, I have worked hard to get where I am now and gain the results I have achieved. Along the way, I’ve always got there with people by my side supporting me.

I’m a huge pin badge collector! Wherever I go, I always buy a pin. My main collection is of Hard Rock Cafe pins, I used to travel just to visit the cafes! My friends are good to me as well, as I get a lot of pin surprises from their travels too! My favourite animal is a raccoon. I have two cats called Bruce and Belle. I have a daughter who was born in 2017. My favourite colour is blue. My favourite food is Mexican Fajitas. I have a large family and they are all really good to us and we have lots and lots of amazing, supportive friends. I love the TV show F.R.I.E.N.D.S and I went to see a play I knew nothing about in London just to see Matthew Perry in real life! I love Disney and my favourite Disney film is Sleeping Beauty. My favourite films are B2TF, ET and Jurassic Park. I love rock music, but love lots of different genres. Dance music is the best to mark to! Whatever I’m doing, music is playing not far behind. I love anything art related and watching Wimbledon!