Jigna J BakhdaBritish curriculum school, Dubai, UAE
Optician by training. Teacher by choice.
Leaving optics for a classroom in Dubai.
- Now
- Teacher at a British curriculum school in Dubai
- Before
- Qualified optician from the UK
- Programme
- PgCTL, near completion at the time of recording
- Next
- Further qualifications and a school leadership role
Jigna qualified as an optician in the UK and was trying to move into teaching, chasing a place at one of the best schools in Dubai. Enrolled in PgCTL, she impressed at the interview and was offered the job immediately.
An invitation to interview.
Jigna J Bakhda describes teaching as a calling. “I’ve always admired educators,” she says. While she was studying for PgCTL she was actively pursuing an opening at a school in Dubai, and after sharing her interest she was invited for an interview.
She is clear about why the invitation came. “I can honestly say this happened because of the fact that I was enrolled in the PgCTL course,” she says. She went in, in her words, “armed with the knowledge I have gained and confidence”. The job is at a British school that, by her account, has consistently ranked outstanding. When she recorded her story she was near the end of the course, after what she calls “an extremely challenging year”.
The PgCTL course has been a turning point, a key step in my calling to become a teacher.
Her first official student.
The year was demanding at home too. Her seven-year-old daughter had been learning remotely, which gave Jigna the chance to observe all of her virtual lessons and to support her with the pedagogical knowledge and teaching skills she was gaining on the programme.
Her daughter received several congratulatory messages and a number of class awards. Jigna says this motivated her further, and that she went on to exceed her expected academic results. She credits her daughter’s hard work and effort alongside her own support and guidance. Introducing her on camera, she says: “Here she is, my first official student.”
Leadership, in time.
“Whilst this is the first step in my journey, I am ambitious to attain further qualifications and progress to a school leadership role,” she says. Given the opportunity, she would also like to contribute in her own way to improving educational opportunities for underprivileged children. “I am excited to see what the future holds.”
