‘I wouldn’t have believed I could be a teacher when I was younger – now, I absolutely love it’

DOING WHAT SHE LOVES: Floristry Lecturer Helen Smith at Bishop Burton College

In the latest of a series of career profiles with staff at Bishop Burton College, Floristry Lecturer Helen Smith talks about her journey from student to teacher…

Floristry was a hobby of mine when I was a child. I’d go into the garden shed and practice my arrangements, which is where it started.

I didn’t really see it as being a real career option for me – everyone was doing hairdressing at the time – but I liked it, and thought I’d be quite happy working in a shop, so I went to study it at Bishop Burton.

It didn’t work out for me because life got in the way, as it often can, but when my boys were old enough, I was able to go back to study at a higher level and train to be the florist I’d always wanted to be.

I opened my own business, Purple Heather Floristry, and held some workshops. That gave me some experience of passing on what I’d learned.

When I was doing my BA (bachelor of arts), I started thinking about teaching for the first time. The idea took hold and I just went with it.

I’m now back at Bishop Burton, teaching further education and higher education floristry at the place I was taught, at the same time as running my business.

STUDENT TO TEACHER: Helen Smith says she finds it really satisfying passing on what she knows

It’s really surprised me how much I enjoy it. I wouldn’t have believed I could be a teacher when I was younger – now, I absolutely love it.

I find it really, really satisfying, and I get a real buzz from it. I find myself on a real high after a good class.

Teaching someone what I know is just so rewarding, but floristry is a constantly changing industry, meaning I’m always learning too. It’s brilliant.

The floristry set-up here at the college is great. We’ve got two fully-equipped studios with everything we need.

The facilities are absolutely great and we’re always looking for people in the industry to come in and speak with our students.

Our students also get involved with the big shows, like Harrogate, because they’re such an important part of the industry.

I love it that I’ve gone from student to teacher, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.