Axcis Teacher Profile - Maya Sadé

Brief History

I have been using teaching as an excuse to travel. I started teaching in Japan in 2002 and then did my teacher training in Australia. I had a friend teaching here in London so I thought I would start my teaching career visiting her. I planned on staying for 6 months, which has changed.
I squeezed in on a working holiday VISA. As I was 30 when I applied it was my last chance to get this type of VISA, which allows me to work here for 2 years.

As I said before this is my entrance into teaching, although I had been teaching in museums for 3 years prior, as well ESL in Japan.

Current position

I was teaching year 5 in a community primary school in Walthamstow, northeast London. There are twenty-nine children in the class and I have one full time LSA (Learning Support Assistant). Her focus is for one particular student however she is a god sent helping me in all areas. The day is quite long as I travel over an hour on transport to get to work, and disciplining takes up a lot of my break and lunch time.  This means I am ready when the weekend finally comes. I always do seem to find the energy to travel when it calls for it!

Next year I have been given a position closer to home in a year 3 class in Abbey Wood. I hope this means I will be able to better use my evenings and weekends!

Teaching in London has been very different to the other teaching I have done. I have found the students here seem to need more disciplining. I spent a lot of time in the first week establishing my routines. Although this was frustrating, I have found it to be a useful skill that I will be able to use in all aspects of my future career.

Living in London

Living in London has been great. It is central for travel and earning in pounds has made it possible to afford the traveling throughout Europe. Having a friend help me establish myself made life much easier however, Axcis has been great with offering help with bank accounts and finding me work within days of my interview with them.

I am sharing a two bedroom flat in Woolwich southeast London for £600 (£300 each) a month plus utilities.

One thing that is different is that they have a TV license here. In order to legally watch your television you need to pay a small monthly fee.
There are many ways to get around London and the travel cards are very convenient. They have daily weekly and monthly passes as well as oyster cards which are like a pay as you go finding the lowest rate for you electronically.

Highlights

As the Gateway to Europe, London is a great place to earn pounds for travelling. There are great shows, and sights to be seen.

Lowlights

The shopping can be expensive
People can be unfriendly (it is a big city after all).
Trains may stop because of rain, snow, or leaves on the tracks!
Weather can be dull.

Future

I had planned to stay for 6 months but found it to be a welcoming and comfortable place to live and have now decided to stay for the 2 year duration of my VISA, from there, we shall see. There is so much to see and do in Europe and living here is making it possible to see much more than I would from home.

Read about a New Zealand teachers experiences in London