I reflect on my life regularly, but the reflection that took place in October 2025 was different. Being told that I was no longer needed at a place, where I had only been working for a month can provoke a variety of responses, depending on the situation. When I received the news, I laughed in disbelief.
Let me explain my time at this workplace.
On the 9th of June, I worked a trial day at a primary school, where I continued covering for TAs until the end of the term. During this time, I was successful and later received the news that I would have a full-time position starting in September.
Fast forward to the new term: I arrived for the inset day, was placed in a class, and met my colleagues. However, this is where the red flags began to reveal themselves. Prior to this, I had told my agent that I wanted to work in a specific class, and this request had been passed on to the school. To my surprise, on the first day, I discovered that I had not been placed in the class I had requested.
I ignored it, as I had briefly worked in the assigned class during the previous term. I also genuinely liked the class teacher and had been told that we would have a new set of students who were much calmer than the previous group.
After a week of settling in, I was told to support the class I had initially wanted. From that point, it became my new class, and I replaced one of the TAs. At first, my frustrations centred around the lack of clear communication and the fact that I had missed an entire week of getting to know the children and meeting their parents.
By the grace of God, I adapt quickly to new situations, which proved helpful when, just one week later, the class teacher took two weeks off for bereavement. Things quickly became hectic. We had three different cover teachers during that period. On top of that, the ceiling collapsed [due to a leakage] during one of our lessons, leading us to evacuate the children. Honestly — it was a mess.
Not to mention, the class teacher was a perfectionist, and the other TA and I were very aware of this. Despite all the mishaps, we decided not to stress ourselves, knowing we were genuinely doing our best.
Just before the class teacher returned, it was communicated that I would need to spend my mornings supporting a student in my previous class. This was frustrating, partly because of the abrupt change and because I felt I had no choice in the matter. We also shared the playground with that class, and over the weeks I had observed how difficult it was to work there. Still, I did what I was instructed to do.
This particular work environment taught me that when you endeavour to please people, you will eventually be disappointed. As Galatians 1:10 says:
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Unfortunately, it seemed that the only things ever highlighted were my shortcomings. For example, being slightly late once.
I had to constantly remind myself of Romans 8:31:
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
One day, I spoke with a TA from another class. I expressed how I was no longer enjoying my job — constantly being moved around and the lack of clarity regarding my position. During our conversation, she mentioned how much she was being paid. It was £20 more than I was earning, even though we were doing the same job. I had never been paid that little in previous TA roles. On top of that, I did not feel the pay reflected how I was being treated.
From that point, I began considering leaving the school. When I put everything into consideration, I realised it was not my dream workplace. I also did not want to work in Early Years.
One or two weeks later, I was moved to a completely different part of the building to work across two different classes at the start of that week. That was my breaking point. I was not a cover TA. I had accepted the role with the expectation that I would remain in one particular class throughout my time there. I also had a strong desire to remain in a mainstream setting.
On the second day of that week, I was assigned to cover a TA in a special needs classroom. It was clear they were using me because of my experience. Some might say that at least I had a job and should not complain. However, I believe I am far too young to settle. Thank God I currently have the freedom to leave. I do not have responsibilities such as bills, a husband, or children tying me down.
The next day, I decided not to go into work — and, you wouldn’t believe, that the same day I was let go.
I asked my agent, what was their reason for this, and she said it was something along the lines of ‘I could not keep up with good punctuality. I told her, that was not true, as I had been present every day and had rarely been late. She responded by saying, “They were just looking for a reason to let you go.”
At that moment, I realised this situation was bigger than me and along this journey there would be so much I would have to learn. Even during my trial period, I sensed hostility from the supervisors. When I began to share with my agent the changes they were making with my position, she told me of how hard-working they had described me as. It was not about my work ethic. It became clear that my presence unsettled them, therefore I was not surprised at this news.
All I wanted was to earn money and win souls. I truly believed this was where God wanted me. Looking back I should have asked God to touch the hearts of these supervisors, that they would favour me. Fortunately, Romans 8:28 reigns true. After leaving this place of work I have found that God’s plan for me was greater than being a Teaching Assistant at this school. Although, still being my human self I did have many moments of anxiety and despair.
I would think to myself that, finally I had a stable, full-time job. I spent the first few months questioning my entire life. At one point, I wondered if I was cursed. I began thinking about my bloodline, patterns of poverty, and recurring disappointments. I did not want to settle for that narrative. I knew a significant change needed to take place.
GloriousByFaith 