Karlaya’s Journey into Teaching

At 33, Karlaya Owolabi brings a wealth of professional experience to her teacher training journey. She began her career in estate agency, where she spent seven successful years. During this time, she thrived on working with a wide variety of people and managing the complex processes involved in sales progression. The role required high levels of organisation, adaptability, and problem-solving, as no two transactions were ever the same.

After being headhunted for a new role that unfortunately fell through at the final stage, Karlaya decided to explore a different path. She volunteered for a Teaching Assistant position at Kingsley Primary School in Toxteth. It was here that she worked closely with a young boy from Syria and witnessed him confidently teaching his peers English. This powerful experience sparked her passion for education and confirmed her desire to become a teacher.

Karlaya then registered with a supply agency to work as a Teaching Assistant. Following an interview, she was offered a role within the agency itself, working in compliance. Although this meant she was no longer based in schools, the experience strengthened her understanding of the education sector. With the encouragement and support of her partner, Karlaya made the decision in February to return to study and pursue a career in teaching.

Why AMP SCITT?

Karlaya’s  decision to apply to AMP SCITT was strongly influenced by a former colleague she had recruited for supply work, who had previously trained through the programme. He spoke highly of the structured support and school-based nature of the SCITT route, which appealed greatly to her.

From the outset, Karlaya was looking for a training programme that was supportive, well-structured, and based in school from day one. AMP SCITT offered exactly that. She was also keen to train in a school within her local area and within a diverse community—something that aligned closely with her personal values and professional goals.

The interview process played a key role in confirming her decision. The face-to-face interview was thorough, informative, and supportive, offering clear guidance throughout. Karlaya valued the opportunity to meet others in person who, like her, were career changers making significant life decisions. This sense of shared experience and community reinforced her choice to join AMP SCITT.

Placement Experience: Holy Family Catholic Primary School

Holy Family Catholic Primary School was Karlaya’s first placement school. The school serves a highly diverse community, with a significant number of pupils who have English as an Additional Language (EAL) and are eligible for Pupil Premium funding.

This placement has been instrumental in shaping Karlaya’s professional interests, particularly her understanding of EAL learners. She gained insight into the complexities of language acquisition, including pupils who appear fluent in English at school but speak another language, such as Arabic, at home due to their parents’ limited English.

These experiences have inspired Karlaya’s Master’s-level research, which focuses on EAL learners and effective strategies to support them. She is passionate about working in schools that reflect and support the diversity of their local communities. Building strong relationships with pupils and families has been central to her experience, and she takes pride in being a role model for children who see themselves reflected in her. Karlaya wants every child to feel represented, supported, and able to aspire to achieve their full potential.

Supporting Diversity Within AMP SCITT

Diversity and inclusion have always been important to Karlaya. Her mother has worked extensively with refugees and asylum seekers, and from a young age Karlaya accompanied her to community events, gaining first-hand experience of the challenges faced by displaced families.

When AMP SCITT approached Karlaya for support in increasing diversity within teaching, she was eager to get involved. Working alongside her mother, she helped suggest practical ways for AMP SCITT to engage more effectively with the local diverse community.

As a result, AMP SCITT has begun building partnerships with organisations such as GraceHola at the Race Equality Hub in Liverpool and is set to work with the Merseyside Refugee Support Network in the New Year.

A Valued Member of the Teaching Community

It has been a pleasure to welcome Karlaya into the AMP SCITT teaching community. She has proven herself to be a dedicated, reflective, and inspiring trainee, and a real asset to both the schools she works in and the organisation as a whole