Naomie Mote

From law student to future teacher: Naomie Mote’s journey through education at Hook Lane

For Naomi, a career in education wasn't always part of the plan.

Before joining Hook Lane seven years ago, she was studying Law at university and had ambitions of pursuing a legal career. But after becoming a parent at 21, Naomi began to reassess what she wanted from her future.

"I remember thinking, 'I can't go into law right now,'" she says. "I started thinking about what I could do while raising my child, and education felt like the right path."

That decision led Naomi to complete an Early Years Professional qualification and eventually apply for a Teaching Assistant role at Hook Lane, the first school she had ever worked in.

"When a TA role came up at Hook Lane, I applied, got the job, and the rest is history," she says.

Over the past seven years, Naomi has progressed from Teaching Assistant to Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), a role she has held for the last three years. Today, she plans and delivers lessons, covers classes and supports pupils across the school, all while continuing to develop her own skills and experience.

For Naomi, one of the most rewarding aspects of being an HLTA is the variety the role offers.

"Essentially, I do the role of a Teaching Assistant but with the added responsibility of being able to cover a class," she says. "At Hook Lane, we also plan our own lessons."

Much of Naomi's class cover takes place during teachers' PPA time, where she teaches subjects including Art, Design and Technology, and French, which she has taught since her time as a Teaching Assistant.

"French is my first language and English is my second language," she explains.

Her bilingual background has helped shape both her teaching practice and her understanding of children who may be finding school daunting.

"I was an EAL learner when I started school," she says. "I remember school being really scary because I didn't understand anyone and they couldn't understand me."

"Because of that experience, I really understand what some of our EAL children might be feeling. I always try to take time with those children because I understand that experience personally."

Naomi believes that helping children build confidence is one of the most important parts of working in education.

"I love planning a lesson, delivering it and then seeing those lightbulb moments from the children," she says.

"With Art and DT especially, I'll show them the finished product and they'll often say, 'Miss, I can't do that.' Then we go through the learning journey together, and at the end they're so proud of what they've achieved."

"I want to be the teacher that a child looks back on and thinks, 'She believed in me.'"

Hook Lane has played a significant role in helping Naomi develop professionally, providing opportunities to grow and learn from colleagues around her.

"Before I completed my HLTA training, I had to plan a term's worth of Art for a Year 2 class," she says. "I was definitely thrown in at the deep end, but I actually thrive on that."

She credits much of her development to the support of her colleagues.

"I was lucky enough to work alongside an HLTA who had been in the role for 20 years, and she really took me under her wing and taught me so much."

That culture of support is one of the reasons Naomi believes Hook Lane is such a special place to work.

"The adults around the children are connected and support each other," she says. "There's a real sense that everyone is working together to help children succeed."

As a parent herself, Naomi also values the balance that working in education has given her.

"My daughter is 14 now, and I love that we're off at the same time," she says. "Teaching and education are hard work, but the balance makes a lot of sense when you're a parent."

Looking ahead, Naomi has clear ambitions for the future.

"I'd love to become a teacher," she says. "Being an HLTA has given me incredible foundations to eventually have my own class."

For Naomi, however, becoming a teacher isn't about titles or status. It's about making a lasting difference.

"Ultimately, I want to create a classroom where children feel supported, understood and confident," she says. "If I can be that person for even one child during my teaching career, I'll feel like I've done a good job."