The objective of Teach First Norway is to address major challenges relating to education and natural science subjects by developing highly competent graduates into efficient and inspiring teachers and leaders.
Maren Klemetsen Grindstad is a Teach First teacher. She believes that it is important that the students enjoy and master what is being taught in science classes, preferably through practical experiments.
”There is a pressing need for natural science expertise in schools. What I like about this programme is that it also focuses on classroom management,” says Maren Klemetsen Grindstad who is a Teach First teacher at Rommen School in Oslo. She believes that the way a subject is presented is important for stimulating interest among students.
”Most of the students are very interested, provided that they are given tasks that they feel they master and that they find interesting. For instance, I have noticed that they are very keen when they work on specific experiments,” Klemetsen Grindstad explains.
Furthermore, Klemetsen Grindstad believes that role models are important for students to take an interest in the sciences.
”Many students do not know what you can use science subjects for, they are not aware of all the opportunities the sciences actually provide,” says Klemetsen Grindstad who has studied physics and astronomy at the University of Oslo. She is very pleased to be a part of Teach First and finds teaching very rewarding.
”I like being with the students and I find the follow-up from Teach First very useful,” she adds.
Teach First Norway is a specially designed two-year management development programme for graduates with a Master or PhD in natural sciences. The Teach First candidates work full time teaching natural sciences or mathematics at a challenging second or upper secondary school in Oslo at the same time as they follow an education and development programme. This programme includes training in England, a formal certificate in education, expertise development organised by Statoil and close follow-up from mentors and tutors.
After completing the two-year Teach First programme, the candidate is guaranteed a permanent position at one of the schools in Oslo. In addition, they are invited to attend a personal job interview at Statoil.