Lauren Tidd, Teacher of Graphic Communication, and Media & Marketing Manager at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls describes her varied day-to-day role, including the most rewarding and challenging aspects of her job.
Describe a ‘typical day’ at work
50% of my timetable I spend teaching Graphics (Art and Design) to Year 7,8,9, 10 and Year 11 and the other 50% of my timetable I am responsible for taking photos of things happening around school and posting content on social media. Sometimes I will teach a graphics lesson, then go around the site and take photos of events, students in lessons etc, edit the photos, post them online and then go back and teach another graphics lesson. The variety is great as it breaks up my day and allows me to see the exciting things that are happening around school! Graphics students are always working on a variety of projects using traditional techniques as well as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator so lessons are always busy and exciting. I also run a clay club which happens every week too so there is always a buzz in the department!
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
I would have to say that the most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing GCSE students really flourish with their coursework projects where they write their own briefs and produce a body of work. It’s lovely when students take on board advice and go away and study artists, respond to them, come up with composition ideas, test and experiment with media, processes etc. and then produce a well thought out final outcome that conveys a message to their intended audience.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your role and how did you overcome it?
When I started at KECHG there was no Graphics course, in fact the subject was not taught at all. I wrote the entire KS3 curriculum, inventing projects that encompassed fundamental software skills and alongside this setup and resourced the new GCSE Art and Design Graphics course that I also teach. That was a huge challenge for one teacher but now it feels a lot more established and it is just a case now of changing projects over time, not inventing them from scratch in one go!
How have you developed since taking on this role?
I certainly know the students a lot better. Having taught here for nearly 6 years, students that were in Year 7 when I started are now in Year 13. This helps a lot when going sound the campus taking photos because i know who they are! I think it makes a huge difference. Of course teaching graphics for a long time now also means I know the course inside out, but there is always something new to learn!
What is something interesting or surprising about you that most people don't know?
I initially trained as a Jewellery Designer and ran my own business designing, making and selling jewellery, plus working to commission, for about 10 years before I decided to train to teach! I still do a bit as a side hobby but I loved the design and marketing side most hence why I decided to pass on my love of graphics to others!
What is one important lesson or piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
If a task appears overwhelming break it down into little steps/chunks and do a step/chunk per day, that way the entire task will get done soon enough and you will feel a lot better! Multiply that for every task!
