What I Did Since I Woke Up This Morning: The Autobiography of an Ordinary Teacher

This autobiography traces the journey of an ordinary teacher from her childhood to retirement. It tells of the influences which have impacted on her development as a teacher and as a person. It shares anecdotes and describes events which have coloured her life and confirmed her vocation. In a thirty five year career which begins with teaching biology in a small secondary school and progresses to headships in two junior schools this teacher deals with inspiring and challenging children and adults in both amusing and gut-wrenching situations. Throughout the book themes arise which link back to the author's childhood and upbringing, such as her love of music and drama, and her ability to see a task to its completion. The book also provides a picture of education in the second half of the twentieth century when the National Curriculum was introduced and schools learned to manage their own budgets. What she has learned in her career she now shares with trainee teachers as she works with them in her role as a link tutor at the University of Gloucestershire, endeavouring to inspire in them the love of teaching which has been the focus of her life.

About the Author :
Chris Hammant was born in London at the end of the Second World War and grew up in a time of 'make-do and mend' when shopping was limited by the rations allowed and brown paper and string were smoothed out, unravelled and saved. Chris first began teaching at age thirteen in a Salvation Army Sunday School telling Bible stories and singing choruses with five and six year old children. Here began the interest and flair in drama and music which would play a key role in her own education and later in her career as a teacher. After training at the City of Portsmouth College of Education she taught in secondary and then middle schools as a science teacher with increasingly responsible pastoral roles including that of deputy head teacher. Chris furthered her own education by completing both bachelor and masters degree courses in education and then secured her first headship in an outer London school where music and drama flourished. A second headship brought her to Gloucestershire where she also made links with the University. Retirement from headship has allowed her to pursue a further career in higher education where she shares her wealth of experience with trainee teachers.