From student to teacher Hamida'M Ribet tells us her journey

I am originally from Morocco and moved to the United Kingdom in 2001. Once I arrived in the UK I wasn’t able to work as I didn’t have the relevant qualifications. This is when I decided to go back to college and study Childcare. I went down to my local college full of excitement only to be told that the course was full and was put on a waiting list. I waited and waited and one year had past and I was still waiting. It was beginning to dampen my spirit as I needed to move my life forward and at that point a friend recommended Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES).

In September 2002 I started the Childcare Level 2 course at WAES and continued to study Childcare Level 3 the following year. Whilst studying the Level 3 course my tutor Angela Gordon Wright recognised potential in me and encouraged me to study for Teacher Training Level 3. Whilst studying for Teaching Training Angela allowed me to teach her class a couple of hours a week to gain some experience in teaching which helped me tremendously in building up my confidence.

Once I completed Leve3 I went on to study Teacher Training Level 4. After completing this I managed to secure a job at WAES teaching Childcare. I was ecstatic as I’d spent years studying and finally I’d managed to gain a job in something I love doing.
My journey to becoming a teacher has been challenging but well worth it. All my tutors at WAES have been brilliant, I feel very lucky. The qualifications I gained will certainly benefit my career but the bonus for me was being able to studying with such diverse people, it helped enhance my understanding of different cultures. I’ve learnt hell of a lot but I want to learn more and progress further. Going to college is not a destination, it’s a journey and the journey hasn’t ended yet.
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