Teacher of the Week: Paul Jackson, Kent College Dubai

PAUL JACKSON
HEAD OF PE
KENT COLLEGE, DUBAI

Why and how did you get into teaching?

I enjoyed playing and being a part of sport from a very young age. When I went to school I was lucky to have really influential and inspiring PE teachers to guide me and help me become better. This love of sport and the positive impact sport can have on someone's life is the sole reason I wanted to become a PE teacher, and I have not regretted my decision. I got into teaching by starting to volunteer at local schools, helping the PE teachers and taking small groups for skills and drills. I then gained a variety of coaching qualifications, which enhanced my teaching and coaching. I then applied my Post Graduate Certificate of Education and was lucky enough to be selected. Once qualified, I starting working in an all-boys grammar school and then after eight years moved to working internationally.


How long have you been teaching for? How long have you been in the Middle East?

I have been teaching 15 years and teaching in the Middle East for 4 years.


What is exciting about your role?

I thoroughly enjoy the constant challenge of seeing every pupil in my care enjoy their physical education lessons because positive feelings about sport and healthy lifestyles start from positive experiences at school.


What is challenging about your role?

Knowing how to meet every pupil's learning needs and ensure they are enjoying what they are learning


What's the biggest myth about teaching?

The biggest myth about teaching PE is that we are not as educated as the other teachers and do not have as much marking to do. This is incorrect, all teachers have to have the same qualifications to teach and PE teachers do mark books but also have to run after school clubs and teams.


Who has been your inspiration throughout your career? Why?

My first PE teacher was my initial inspiration into teaching. He was amazing with the pupils and really gave everyone the sense that they could achieve. This is now one of my philosophies in teaching.


What would you say has been your greatest achievement over the course of your career?

Gaining the role as head of PE at Kent College Dubai. A brand new school that needs guidance and careful steering to ensure we do things right the first time because everyone knows "first impressions are so important".


Tell us one way a particular student has impacted your life or teaching philosophy.

During an annual ski trip, whilst working in the UK, we were unfortunately stranded in Chicago due to the Iceland volcanic eruption. We were there for three weeks due to constant flight cancellations. One student, above the rest, took it upon himself to ensure that the younger students of the group were looked after. He gave up time to play games, get food and generally make them feel less homesick then they were. This student then went on graduate from university and has since then opened up an ice cream restaurant in the same town where he continues to make the local children feel good and welcomed.


How do you get students interested in the subject you teach – have you found an innovative way to engage students?

I generally live by the basic understanding that if a student enjoys learning your subject and shows an energy to want to learn more or be better, then that is all it takes.


Are there any specific goals you would like to achieve in your career?

My overall ambition is to be the director of sport at a top independent school either internationally or back in the UK.