Tom Johnson - Teacher
Today on the blog is one our newest team members. Tom joined our team of teachers in the spring of 2021 and as well as teaching our regular ESOL classes, has also been involved in teaching our brand new digital skills pilot course!
How did you first get involved in Hope English School?
So last summer I worked for the University of Sheffield and that was how I (virtually as it was all online) met Luz (another teacher) who told me about Hope English School (HES). I thought it sounded like a fantastic organisation and I really wanted to get involved in something that aims to primarily help refugees and asylum seekers so I sent my CV off and afterwards the rest is history.
What specifically does your role involve?
So I have been teaching a Syrian couple online and the new digital skills class. I really think this second class has a lot of potential to help improve people's computer literacy in a time when it is becoming more and more important because of the pandemic and society in general being more dependent on technology and I hope to be around to see it grow.
What do you like most about working for HES?
The people who work for Hope are so kind and helpful that it makes working for them a dream. They are really happy to work with you and make your life easier which is great. I also love helping people and Hope gives me a platform to do so making it such a rewarding job.
What else do you do with the rest of your week when you are not working for HES?
I am a big football fan so I play once or twice a week. I like to watch it too but I am a Sheffield Wednesday fan so that hasn't been much fun recently. I love spending time with my family and girlfriend and friends either in a pub, on a walk or doing something cultural like in a museum or something. I also love vinyl and enjoy browsing in record shops and listening to records in my down time.
Have you always lived in Sheffield, if not what brought you here?
So I was born in London but moved to Sheffield when I was 18 months old and grew up in Woodseats. After that I went to university in Salford near Manchester and in 2014 moved to Barcelona where I lived for 6 wonderful years. Last September me and my girlfriend decided to move back to be closer to family and friends and are both really happy in Sheffield. We love how close to the peak district we are and all the wonderful things you can do in the city. My girlfriend is still adjusting to all the hills but she is getting there.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
Hmmmmm, well I used to play cricket for Sheffield Collegiate as a teenager and played with the now England captain Joe Root. In fact, my first ever wicket was bowled Johnson (me) caught Root. I also used to sometimes appear on Catalan TV talking about Spanish football which was good fun.
