ELLE.COM/UK May 2020 163A classact
CLARAAMFO
RETURNSTOHER
OLDSECONDARY
SCHOOLTOSEE
THETEACHERWHO
INSPIREDHER
THEMOST“AGREAT TEACHER
WANTS YOU TO
be your very best.^
IT’SSOMEONE
WHO HAS A
natural empathy
BUTALSO KNOWS
whento push you”Elle PROMOTION FOR TEACHING
Words: Alison Lynch. Photography: Rosaline Shahnavaz. Art direction: Mairead Gleeson.
canteen was, where my old locker was. I can even remember the
desks I sat at. It feels like coming full circle.’
So, what was Clara like as a teenager? ‘I was a decent student.
My teachers would probably tell you I talked too much, but I’d say
I was just laying the foundations for my future career,’ she reveals.
‘Secondary school is a complex time. On the one hand, you’re
getting your brain fed and you’re making friends you’ll have for the
rest of your life. On the other, you’re growing and changing; you’ve
got the influx of hormones, societal pressures, all the typical things
that teenagers go through. But I think I always had this weird sense
back then that I was going to be alright. It definitely helped having
teachers who made you feel valued.’
Madame Cargill retired 1O years ago, after nearly three
decades working as a teacher, but she remembers Clara well. ‘She
was a good student right from the start. She was always very
determined,’ she tells us later.
‘I loved teaching French because I wanted the girls to get to know
the language, and I was able to open their minds to other cultures.
But my favourite part of the job was always building relationships
with the students. That’s what I miss most.
‘I’m extremely proud of Clara’s success in
her career. When I was asked to come back
and see her, I was incredibly touched. That’s why
you teach – to know that you can have that sort
of impact on someone, and to see them going
on to succeed in life.’
Clara agrees. ‘A great teacher is someone
who genuinely likes spending time with young
people and wants you to be your very best. It’s
someone who has a natural empathy but also
knows when to push you out of your comfort zone.
And that’s something that’s stuck with me – the
importance of living without fear.’
Clara knew from an early age that she wanted
to work in presenting. ‘I developed my love of public speaking at
Holy Cross,’ she explains. ‘When we wrote stories or studied poetry
in English, we’d stand up and read them to the class. I was also
obsessed with TV and radio as a kid.
‘School taught me to work for what I wanted. There are lots
of -isms and schisms in the world of work. There are people who
think you can’t do things because you’re female. I’ve definitely faced
that in my career – and I’ve overcome it. You have to work that bit
harder, so that no one can question you.
‘But probably the most important lesson I learned at school was
to not worry about what other people think. There’s so much pressure
on young people to be all these things apart from themselves. That’s
where teachers can help to give you that self-belief. If I could go back
and talk to my younger self now, I’d say, “You’re doing alright. You’re
enough. Keep going.”’
Going back to school with Clara Amfo? It’s been emotional.Great teachers have a unique opportunity to shape the next generation.
If you’re inspired to learn more about a career in teaching and the
options available to you, search ‘Get Into Teaching’