Navida's incredible journey!

: Created: 23 September 2019

Notably, her greatest success to date has been in achieving a first-class Supporting Teaching and Learning Foundation Degree which she subsequently converted into a full first-class honours degree just one year later. She also won an Outstanding Achievement Award at a Greenwich University student awards ceremony a year earlier - an accolade that she is incredibly proud of.

It all began after the 45-year-old mother of four from Shooters Hill attended her eldest daughter’s graduation ceremony in 2013. Navida realised that her work in putting her children through school and college and inspiring them with her own personal philosophy on education and lifelong learning was something she needed to revisit and adopt once again for her own career development.

“I suppose I was inspired by someone I’d help to inspire myself,” says Navida, “I saw how proud all the graduates were as they took to the stage to receive their scrolls and decided I wanted some of that too.

“At 40, I knew I had to start the ball rolling immediately and make something more of myself before it was too late. Of course, looking back I know it’s never too late.

“I’ve had quite a few jobs over the years that include being an embroiderer, a sous chef, market trader and admin officer. Although I’ve enjoyed these jobs, I wanted to do what I knew I’d really love and that is to work with young children. Having four of my own, I love being around them and helping them develop and grow into fine young people.

“Now I've achieved my full BA Hons degree in Education and Wellbeing and found work at a local primary school as a teaching and learning practitioner, I have decided to study for the full teacher training certificate through Schools Direct. Last year, I came back to the College to study GCSE Biology which I’m pleased to say I passed, and now I’ve just enrolled to get my GCSE Maths. These qualifications will pave the way to me getting access to the training next September.

My ambition is to go and work abroad - probably in the middle east for a while before returning to the UK. I’ve always wanted to do this and now it seems more of a realistic prospect than before I came to study at this wonderful College.

“Education opens doors for you - fact! Walking into your local college and enrolling onto a course, no matter how basic, no matter what the subject or level, you have made a positive start and as long as you commit yourself, stick at it and take everything given to you, it will lead you to bigger and better things.

“I am so grateful to my tutors and the amazing staff in the learning resource centres. They have supported me all the way, encouraged me to achieve very high grades in my assignments and equipped me with all the skills and expertise needed to progress higher and into work. Thank you to you all.”

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in the world of teaching and support for learners, or have been thinking of studying at degree level, we’d like to hear from you. We have a great range of degree and professional level courses for you to choose from. Come to an open event.