Hijab Zaheer - Executive Headteacher

How long have you been in education?

I began my training in September 2006 so I'm in my 19th year - honestly it's flown!

Where has the career taken you and how have you progressed, personally or professionally?

My career has taken me across many parts of the North East of England, which I am proud to call home! I have worked in Redcar, Stockton-on-Tees, South Shields, Gateshead, Sunderland, Redcar again and now in Barnard Castle. I have learned and grown in every region and valued my time with every community.

I have progressed professionally through a number of roles; English, KS4 Coordinator in English, Head of Department, Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, Vice Principal for Curriculum and Achievement, Associate Principal, Principal, Head of School and now, Executive Headteacher.

I have been very lucky to have really enjoyed a varied yet challenging professional journey so far and I consider it a privilege to share my profession with so many wonderful and inspirational people, some of whom I now consider to be amongst my closest friends.

What is your favourite aspect of teaching?   

This one is easy. Watching people grow. For the first third of my career that was mainly students. Being part of their journey, through ups and downs, and being there to see them amaze themselves by what they have achieved is the best part of my job by far. There is nothing better than telling a young person that they can achieve something, convincing them to believe it and then watching them achieve it, it is addictive!

Throughout the second phase of my career, into school leadership, I have been able to support members of staff to continue similar journeys as the students I have worked with. It is so rewarding to be able to support colleagues to develop and then to watch the exponential impact has on young people's lives.

Can you recall a time, at any point during your career, that you felt you'd made a difference in a child's life?

I am blessed to have had a number of memorable experiences that have made me feel as though my work is worthwhile. However, one always springs to mind in particular.

In 2007 in my first role as teacher and form tutor. It was October and, in a Year 7 Parents' Evening, I told a parent that I was incredibly impressed by her daughter who had just started school and was in my form. I told her that I thought she was a great role model who I could see being Head Girl one day if that was what she wanted. Four years later, in Year 11, she was selected to be Head Girl and her mother wrote me a lovely letter, which I have kept, reminding me what I had said. I had honestly forgotten the conversation, but she hadn't.

I often find myself thinking of that situation and it has taught me about the power of believing in someone and the impact that a teacher can have on a young person and their future.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of teaching?

I know I am a teacher because of one particular incredible teacher that I had at school. He made me believe that I was more than I ever thought I was or could be. I would ask people to imagine how they would feel if they could be that teacher for a young person; I believe that all teachers can be that teacher for someone and that someone is out there waiting for you!