Megan Rowley
Megan Rowley, 34, began her journey into teaching with a passion for helping students reach their “lightbulb moments.” Raised on Mersea Island and now a mother of two, Megan’s career has always centered around education. She has worked as an SEN LSA, Teaching Assistant, HLTA, and Learning Support Assistant, gaining invaluable experience across a range of roles.
Inspired by her aunt, a Year 6 teacher, Megan always aspired to teach. She completed her work experience in primary schools and initially planned to focus on younger students. However, during her time as a HLTA, she discovered a preference for teaching older children in Key Stage 2. This led her to take on a Learning Support role at a local secondary school, where she found a love for the interactions and the focused subject teaching at this level, shaping her decision to pursue a career in secondary education.
While her heart was initially set on the performing arts, the financial constraints of training in these subjects led her to consider other options. With a strong background in Maths, Megan decided to take the leap and train in this subject—a decision she doesn’t regret!
She followed the School Direct non-salaried route with a PGCE, wanting to strengthen her subject knowledge while gaining classroom experience.
Megan chose The OAKS (now Ormiston Teacher Training) for its unique offerings, including the residential at the start of the course, which helped her build strong relationships with fellow trainees. The varied placements, including secondary schools, an SEN school, and a sixth form college, allowed her to gain a well-rounded perspective on different teaching environments. Throughout her journey, the support from OAKS staff and subject experts helped Megan regain confidence in her Maths knowledge, ensuring no question went unanswered.
With her extensive experience in various educational roles, Megan was well-prepared for the challenges of teaching. Her ability to form positive relationships with students has made a significant impact in the classroom, allowing lessons to flow smoothly and students to feel supported and comfortable. For Megan, the most rewarding part of teaching is helping students succeed in areas they’ve previously struggled with, and seeing the joy on their faces makes it all worthwhile. Looking ahead, Megan is eager to continue growing in her teaching career, confident in the experience and skills she has gained through her time with The OAKS.