This 'Thank A Teacher Day' (18th June 2025), we're shining a spotlight on the remarkable teachers who shape futures in classrooms across the country.
Kieran Anderson, English teacher at The Grangefield Academy, talks about how teaching wasn't his original plan, but became his passion and purpose.
Growing up on a council estate, I faced poverty, crime, and low educational expectations. My family’s traditional career paths - steel industry for men and retail for women – didn't include university. As a persistent absentee with a negative attitude, I initially accepted what seemed like my predetermined fate. But as I grew, I began to see beyond my surroundings and was desperate to escape from the challenges I and those who surrounded me faced.
Breaking the cycle
As I matured, I developed a strong motivation to build a better future. Though I remained in my hometown during university, graduation opened doors I never imagined possible. I accepted a coaching position with Juventus in the Middle East, an experience that broadened my horizons and showed me what was possible beyond my hometown.
Creating positive change through sports
Upon returning to the UK, I joined Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation to give back to my community. Working with challenging students in local schools, I used sport as a powerful way to address social issues and create positive change. This sparked a passion for education that would define my career path.
My work led to my first full time job at North Shore Academy, progressing from teaching assistant to learning manager. My focus was creating safe spaces for children from backgrounds similar to mine.
Lessons from the custody suite
Despite fulfilling my childhood dream of joining the police later on, I quickly realised paperwork often replaced meaningful impact. Working with young people involved in crime revealed where true change happens - in classrooms, not in custody suites. This realisation prompted my return to education as a learning manager at Grangefield Academy.
Finding my path in teaching
When staff shortages led me to cover English lessons, I discovered the power of classroom relationships. The school principal recognised my potential and suggested I pursue Qualified Teacher Status through Stockton School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT's) partnership with Northern Education Trust.
This apprenticeship pathway has transformed my professional life. The exceptional support from SCITT has guided me through every challenge, while remaining in the same school environment provided the stability needed to develop my teaching practice. The financial security of earning while training removed barriers that might have otherwise prevented me from pursuing this career.
The unexpected opportunity
What began by chance has become my most fulfilling journey. Teaching wasn't my original plan, but has become my passion and purpose. Through this experience, I've discovered that sometimes our greatest opportunities arise unexpectedly, leading us to where we truly belong.
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