Pembrokeshire Council, in collaboration with Pembrokeshire College, has launched a new campaign to inspire school leavers to pursue a rewarding career in teaching.
The initiative, supported by local schools, community partners, and current educators, aims to highlight the profound impact teachers can have on future generations and encourage school leavers to consider teaching as a career path.
With over 60 schools in the county, there is a growing demand for passionate and skilled educators to foster a bilingual and forward-thinking education system in Pembrokeshire. The campaign aims to nurture the next generation of teachers by sharing real-life stories from current educators in Pembrokeshire, providing insight into the career and encouraging young people to explore teaching as a fulfilling option.
Two local educators, Braint Llewellyn and Alisha John, have shared their personal teaching journeys to help inspire school leavers across Pembrokeshire.
Braint, 25, a primary school teacher at Ysgol Caer Elen, grew up in the Preseli Mountains in north Pembrokeshire. Braint’s passion for teaching is deeply rooted in her Welsh heritage and her desire to help children to embrace Welsh culture and language.
“Being able to teach through the medium of Welsh is an honour,” says Braint. “It’s rewarding to know I’m helping to shape the future of the Welsh language and culture.”
After completing a History degree at Cardiff University, Braint spent nearly two years as a teaching assistant before deciding to take on more responsibility in the classroom. She then completed her Primary PGCE at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Now in her second year of teaching, she cherishes the relationships she builds with her students and the variety of her role.
Braint’s message to young people considering teaching is simple: “Go for it! Teaching is tough at times, but the reward of helping shape young minds and being a constant source of support for your students makes it all worth it.”
Similarly, Alisha, a 23-year-old PE teacher at Ysgol Greenhill School in Tenby, has had a non-traditional path into teaching. Originally from Llanelli, she initially planned to become a physiotherapist after leaving school, but decided to pursue teaching after seeing the impact her PE teachers had on her life during her GCSEs and A-Levels.
Alisha completed her degree in Physical Education at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and her Secondary PGCE at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Now in her second year of teaching, she is passionate about helping students engage with physical education and break down barriers to learning. She said, “Seeing students who were previously disengaged now bringing their kit to class and attending after-school clubs is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.”
Alisha’s advice to anyone thinking about a career in teaching is to embrace the opportunity. “Teaching is incredibly rewarding. You get to make a difference in the lives of young people and watch them grow in confidence and ability. Every day is an opportunity to inspire.”
Steven Richards-Downes, director of education at Pembrokeshire Council said, “Teachers have a unique power to shape young minds, inspiring creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. We’re committed to attracting and retaining talented educators, with initiatives like our Coaching & Mentoring program to support NQTs in their first year.
“Pembrokeshire’s diverse range of Welsh and English medium, as well as faith-based schools, aims to inspire students not just to fill roles, but to ensure our schools continue providing top-quality education for the future.”
