Jenny Speedie I guess in our own minds we know our intention even if we don’t portray it in the right way... 69 Jenny is a gorgeous lady- inside and out. She is somebody who when she asks how you are, she really wants to know- even if you end up blubbing on her shoulder. She truly cares. We first met when her equally lovely daughter joined my parents theatre company when I was a teenager. I then got to know Jenny more when I worked at the same school as her. Again, I was drawn to her because her ethics were so wonderful- she put the students happiness before everything, and her lessons were a pleasure to observe- full of laughter, learning and fun. We certainly need more of her! She has recently been diagnosed with ADHD, which has made her reflect on herself now, and a greater understanding of her past... How would you describe yourself? Caring, bubbly, quite loud at times. I used to adore sport and be good at it! I love dancing! I don’t cope well with silence like in a lift or on a bus… I just have to talk …. Usually loads of drivel! Small- (ha,ha) ,very talkative which is generally to cover up the anxiety...though having had thyroid disease since the age of 25, it could be that!!, I can be a pessimist though endeavor not to be. I would say I'm generally very good at reading people and recognising when people need support or encouragement. However, a real failing is sometimes I can over analyse what people say and how they say it, and that can make me paranoid. Recently I was assessed and diagnosed unofficially with ADHD – which makes a lot of sense. 2. How would other people describe you? Friendly, chatty…maybe over chatty at times. I think they would say I appear to be very confident which is not true. I’m often a jabbering wreck inside. I think they might say I’m helpful, though maybe others think I can be bossy…. I guess in our own minds we know our intention even if we don’t portray it in the right way. How did you feel being diagnosed with ADHD later in life? It was relief to me! I have always been both hyper and over analytical especially of people’s emotional responses. I would worry about tone of voice or slight difference in intonation and then ruminate on it ! Apparently this is common in Women who have ADHD. Did a diagnosis help you understand yourself more? It has helped to reduce the going over and over stuff so I can think – this is not me it’s the ADHD! However with it comes the sensitivity of recognising in other people when they are unhappy or vulnerable and help where possible, so it's not all negative. How did you find working in education? I never expected to work in education in the roles I did, and never saw myself as a teacher. I taught a night class teaching at one of the local colleges in Sheffield for some extra money ,and taught human Biology GCSE for several years and A-level biology- though I had no teaching qualification! I think the best teachers don’t necessarily have the best qualifications…how did family life fit into this? I really enjoyed it. After finishing the post doctoral two year research, I was pregnant with Sarah and she was due to the date that my research grant ran out, and so it all felt like it was meant to be. And then you moved back to Derbyshire… I fell pregnant with Pat so that there was just over 3 years between them. We decided we would move back to Derbyshire as John had a new job in Chesterfield and my Dad had died…so we moved to Tansley. You had your own business with your husband… After a little while John decided he wanted to set up his own business designing control software and this all went very well. I worked for the business too. However, after a couple of years during the recession in the early 90s, the business, like many others, was struggling. I needed to be able to independently get a job! So you went back to teaching? I decided the quickest would be to do a one year PGCE. I chose to do this for primary as I already had lots of experience with secondary (GCSE teaching). I loved every minute from then on. I was constantly trying to develop myself in that role and loved it. What does education need now? Greater funding, wider training and far more support for newly qualified teachers especially. We need to be looking at how the children learn best… They do this when they are using a focus that interests them ! What do friends and family mean to you? Family and friends mean the world to me ! My family have always lived in this beautiful area and I love it. It is my base, my grounding and in my soul. My family and close friends are my world- my rocks , my support and my fun. The close friends you have never question why you need them; they are just there! In this mess of a world, what brings you hope? I think I'm generally an optimist about the world. I am very lucky as I have a number of special people in my life both family and close friends- I have a feeling that life will find a way through our myriad of current problems. The things that give me hope are children because they look at the world in a very straightforward way, Animals because their needs are simple and often give unconditional love , and gardens because they are always full of hope and expectation! How would you spend your ideal weekend? My ideal weekend would be pottering in the garden and hopefully the sunshine and the dogs and grandchildren running around. Where is your favourite place in the world? My favourite place in the world is a tricky one to answer . I have travelled to many places and really loved it...but for me to be honest there is no place like home. Film: Gone with the wind Song: Lovely Day- Bill Withers Tv Series: Brideshead Revisited Book: Tess of the D'urbervilles Stage show: Jersey Boys Word: Endeavour
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