Megan Cutler
Megan, now a full-time RE teacher, was first drawn to the subject after hearing her RE teacher's tales of travelling across India and working with a Muslim charity in the UK. But her career path took various twists and turns before she decided to complete a PGCE in RE.
Megan initially studied film production for her undergraduate degree, before taking a Masters in Popular Culture. After university, Megan found an admin-based role at her local Secondary school, working in the main reception. As she engaged with the teachers and students she began to consider a career in teaching, and her previous passion for RE was re-ignited.
“Teaching seemed meaningful and impactful in a way I felt my job didn't... I want to inspire others the way they inspired me!” said Megan.
Megan chose to study her PGCE at Worcester because of its status as an outstanding provider of teacher training, alongside the resources provided and the 1-1 support offered. She said, “I felt truly that it was tailored to meet my needs and knowledge gaps”.
She reflects on her PGCE as one of her most rewarding and challenging educational experiences and enjoyed the variety and breadth the course offers.
“I got to experience being in the classroom, collaborating with trainees across the Humanities, attending seminars on SEN, and visiting places of worship, sometimes all in the same week! It's certainly never boring, and its diversity of experience set me up for many of the challenges and unknowns I was going to face as a qualified teacher,” said Megan.
As an RE teacher, Megan finds her role both varied and rewarding. Through teaching various aspects of religious beliefs and engaging her students in ethical questions and controversial debates, Megan finds her teaching stretches and challenges her own knowledge. She enjoys the fluidity of the subject as she ensures her lessons continue to reflect current topics surrounding religion.
Her advice to anyone interested in pursuing a career as an RE teacher is to keep up with current affairs to understand the variations of lived religion, "This can be particularly effective when challenging misconceptions students bring into the classroom (and sometimes even my own)”.
But most importantly, Megan stresses how this course is accessible to anyone, regardless of background. “The University of Worcester provides an abundance of support to help develop subject knowledge and pedagogical skill before you set foot in the classroom”.