Introducing our newest member of the Department for Children and Families at the University of Worcester, Sarah Hutchins.
Singing in the change with Semester 2, 2024 in the Department for Children and Families!
My first Semester as a new lecturer within the Department for Children and Families is drawing to a close and it is wonderful to be able to sit down and reflect on what an exciting first few months it has been! I came to the University of Worcester in a rather cold and blustery January having worked in the Early Years sector for over 20 years. Bright eyed, bushy tailed and brimming full of excitement, I must admit I was slightly apprehensive at the prospect of taking on a new role and career direction that I have aspired to do for such a long time.
Initially, I was struck by the daily contrasts of working in my new role. It felt strange to now be based at a desk, as within my previous roles my days were spent whizzing around at a million miles an hour in a whirling dervish of excitement and on ‘in-the-moment’ adventures with young children. I no longer spend most of my day on the floor and tables and chairs seem to have taken on an entirely different purpose for shared learning experiences rather than serving as bespoke den building accessories. Similalrly, I now no longer find myself having four or five conversations at once and I have been struck by the depth and breadth of the conversations I now hold with people daily, along with the purposeful and industrious hum of the University atmosphere.
Meeting and getting to know both the students and my colleagues have been a particular highlight of my new role. The students are a delight to work with, our lecture sessions are shared learning experiences and I really enjoy being able to lend a practical perspective to the theory and subject matter the students are engaged with. My colleagues within the Department for Children and Families are simply amazing in every possible way. Their subject knowledge, expertise and professionalism is coupled with a genuine love for what they do along with their enthusiasm and passion for our work is infectious!
I have also embraced the many parallels that I have found with my previous roles working with children and families. Each day is filled with sunshine and smiles all round and from a pastoral point of view, my professional love for others shared in the form of reciprocal and trusting relationships within the community of learners I now find myself working within feels more important now than ever. I still prioritise student welfare through championing their personal, emotional and physical independence away from home and family. Only now, the students are much bigger and grown-ups! Equally, my personal philosophy of ‘creating magical moments of learning and fun’ is very much at the centre of all I do and my learning adventures with students (some – a little more exciting and hairier than others!) have shown me how rewarding working within Higher Education can be.
Now with the teaching of Semester 2 in 2024 nearly over, we move forward into ‘Marking May’. My inbox is currently pinging away merrily with assignment support queries and I am excited for my students, whose hard work and dedication to learning throughout this Semester’s modules will be shown and shared through their upcoming summative assignments. I have yet to find a way of singing throughout my day (something which I have always done!) but on reflection I do feel as though I have the best job in the world and I am very happy to be a part of such wonderful and inspiring team.