Development and Alumni

Alumni Network Case Studies

Successful Graduates from the Cass School of Education and Communities

Misbah Mann
2005 MA Education Practice
Current Occupation: Head Teacher, Lathom Junior School

Misbah first studied Biochemistry, then did her PGCE in 1994 before going on to do her Masters. She chose UEL, as it was her local university, easily accessible and had a variety of local community based resources, "the prospectus appealed to me, as it would allow me to teach in local schools with increased prospects of a job locally"

Misbah had been told by her English teacher in year 11, that her English wasn’t very good and she would not be able to obtain an ‘O’ Level qualification. Fortunately, her P.E. teacher gave her the time, support and self-belief that she could achieve. This belief allowed her to achieve an ‘A’ grade in English Literature! 

Misbah started teaching at Lathom School in July 1995.  "The school has become a warm and friendly school, which celebrates all cultures. We are committed to life long learning and have recently increased our capacity for teacher training.  We have increased use of first languages through translations, displays assemblies and dialogue.  It is an ICT rich environment, with interactive whiteboards and 240 individual laptops for the pupils".

Whilst studying, Misbah undertook two placements in Canning Town and was picked to be observed by the external assessor during her final placement. Misbah liked UEL because of the intensity and diversity of the course and enjoyed meeting people with similar goals and visions. She found the lecturers supportive, especially during her final year, when she had her first child.

Misbah remembers being mistaken for a year 6 pupil from behind by a teacher who asked "and where do you think you are going young lady?" - Misbah was a Deputy Head at the time!

Shola Alabi
2002 PGCE Secondary Science
Current Occupation: Science Teacher, Gateway Academy, Thurrock

Olusola (Shola) Alabi did her PGCE in Secondary Science at UEL from 2001-2002. On completion of her programme she joined the staff of Eastlea School in Canning Town, where she achieved an excellent Ofsted grade in her first term as a Science teacher. She now teaches at the Gateway Academy, Thurrock.

Shola chose the degree programme she did because of a desire to make a difference in peoples lives. She taught as a newly qualified Science teacher in London and then moved into being a numeracy coordinator in the same school. She then moved on to The Gateway Academy in January 2006 as a Key stage Coordinator and Science teacher where she remains today.

"I'm passionate about my job and my responsibility as a role model, and I really enjoy my relationship with the kids. They are the next generation and I want them to be proud of themselves and what they've achieved".

"In the 2001/02 PGCE science set, we all worked together and still keep friendship up to today. We watched out for one another and made us form a bond. I think I will not have made without their help and the tutors advice and support we got. The commitment of the tutors was impeccable."

Maureen Gould
1996 PGCE Primary
Current Occupation: Assistant Head Teacher, Godwin Junior School.

Maureen Gould is currently the Assistant Head Teacher at Godwin Junior School in Forest Gate. She graduated from UEL as a mature student with a 2:1 BSc (Hons) in Biology and Combined Studies (mainly IT and education). Maureen continued her studies at UEL and completed a Primary PGCE the following year.

“I always wanted to teach, even as a young child, and was delighted to have the opportunity to do so as a second career,“ Maureen informed us. “I was able to transfer into the second year of my BSc degree at UEL after initially studying with the Open University when my children were young. I wanted to be able to train as a teacher locally and was fortunate to be then accepted for a PGCE at UEL. The teacher training I received was excellent as was the support and encouragement from the tutors and my fellow students.”

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