Speaking Life
“Sir, what do you teach?” — How One Question Started My Journey in Education
In summer 2022, I stood at the back of a sports hall while Year 11 students sat their GCSEs. I was just an exam invigilator at the time — no classroom, no title, no timetable. But something unexpected kept happening. Before each exam, students would look up and say, “Sir, what do you teach?”
The answer was nothing — not yet. But that moment stuck with me. Because even without a title, they saw me as someone who could guide them. And quietly, that planted a seed.
The turning point for me was I didn’t want to just supervise young people through exams. I wanted to help them through life. The pressure, the identity questions, the fear of failure and the desire to grow.
That was the start of my journey into education. Fast forward to now I’ve worked in multiple schools, completed the Teach First programme, earned my PGDE and QTS and this September I’ll be stepping into a new chapter as Head of Business & Economics at an independent school.
But this is bigger than a job title.
LouisTeaching exists to help young people grow in confidence, clarity and purpose. I coach students 1:1, run purpose-driven programmes, support parents and mentor those who want more than just good grades. They want to become someone!
This Substack is where I’ll share that journey. The stories. The lessons. The unseen parts of helping students move from confusion to confidence.
What You’ll Get Here
Real stories from the frontlines of education
Lessons from coaching and mentoring students
Reflections on school pressure, mindset and growth
Advice for teachers, parents and aspiring mentors
If you’ve ever looked at a student and thought, “They just need one person to believe in them”, this space is for you
