An interview to remember

Posted byRead with JuliaPosted inFaith, Hope, Love, Make a mark, My journey..., TeachingTags:, , ,

I only remember one of the questions I was asked during my 1987 interview for teacher training college:

“What do you have to offer children?”

My one word reply came spontaneously,

“Love.”

I remember my 17 year old self blushing uncontrollably, as the interviewers exchanged raised-eyebrow glances.

I remember walking away at the end of the interview and looking out of the Chelsea Room’s floor to ceiling windows – to see a rainbow lighting up the battleship grey, Plymouth sky.

Me at 18
(Not sure what made me think it was good idea to ask my mum to make me a red jacket…
No more Butlins jokes, please, John Britton!)

33 years on and the answer I gave still resonates with me. Although, as I trawl through job vacancies, I’m yet to find a potential employer looking for what I believe I have to offer.

This week Blue Monday acknowledged the crushing heaviness of depression, the increasing feelings of isolation, the torment of anxiety. Isn’t the world crying out for greater love?

‘There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.’ (1 John chapter 4 verse 18)

Rainbow over Ledbury

Published by Read with Julia

Julia is a qualified and experienced Every Child a Reader teacher, who is passionate about bringing families and communities together through shared reading. She is seeking clarity of direction for a future where young and old bond through books, where relationships are strengthened, where obstacles to literacy are removed, and where reading becomes irresistible. Julia lives in Ledbury, Herefordshire with her husband, Sean. Their 3 children have all grown up and left home.

5 thoughts on “An interview to remember”

  1. thanks Julia….Today I was listening to the In our Time podcast on Dorothy Hodgkin the inspirational chemist and only British woman to have been awarded the Nobel prize for science because of her work determining the structure of insulin. Her motivation was to do things for others in a kind way, to make the world a better place and to respect difference. I think ‘love’ is a beautiful motivation for the work you do!!!

    Reply

  2. The last time I ever spoke to my Granny I asked her what advice she had to bring up our son (She’d had five boys). Her answer was” just love him”. She was right and so are you. Love is the most important thing. Your post is very true. Never doubt yourself.

    Reply

      1. “Just love him.”
        Lizzie, your granny’s words are profoundly simple. I’m still thinking about them…
        ❤️

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