The Power of the Paper Trail: How I’m Rethinking My Career Path

There’s a strange vulnerability that comes with applying for a new role. We’re often asked to package up the last few years of our lives—our challenges, our triumphs, and the quiet moments of learning—into a neat, professional summary. It’s enough to make even the most confident person stop and second-guess themselves. Lately, as I’ve been considering a step forward in my own career, I’ve found myself grappling with that familiar, nagging feeling of imposter syndrome. But rather than letting the nerves take the lead, I’ve decided to try something different.

​I’ve realised that I’ve actually been building a bridge to my next opportunity without even noticing it. By keeping a meticulous, rolling record of my training achievements over the last four years at Newfriars, I’ve inadvertently created a treasure trove of evidence. It’s not just about certificates; it’s about the narrative of my growth. When you look back at four years of development, you realise you’ve come much further than you give yourself credit for.

​The Art of the 'Brain Dump'

​In recent months, I’ve also turned to blogging to capture my ideas, my professional 'brain dumps', and the concepts that keep me up at night. There is something incredibly grounding about putting thoughts into words. It turns abstract feelings into concrete arguments.

​It reminds me of a concept often discussed in productivity circles: the importance of "working out loud." By consistently documenting our processes and reflections, we aren’t just creating content—we are creating a roadmap of our own expertise. It’s a bit like the philosophy behind Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon; when we document our journey, we stop relying on memory and start building a portfolio of our actual capability.

​Leveraging the AI Toolkit

​My plan for this next career move is to treat my personal archives as a living, breathing resource. I’m planning to synthesise my four years of training records with the insights from my blog posts. By using AI as an editor—a tool to help structure my thoughts and refine that initial 'brain dump'—I can bridge the gap between my raw experiences and a polished, professional application.

​I’ll be feeding my background, my achievements, and the specific requirements of the job description into my AI assistant. It’s not about letting the machine do the talking; it’s about using it to highlight the evidence I’ve already worked so hard to collect. It’s a way to silence the imposter syndrome by grounding my application in hard, documented facts rather than just hopeful sentiments.

​Looking Ahead

​If you’ve ever felt like you’re struggling to articulate your own value, I’d encourage you to start your own 'paper trail'. You don’t need to be a professional writer or a perfect planner; you just need to start capturing what you do and what you learn.

​As I stand on the precipice of this new application, I feel a sense of clarity I haven't had before. The evidence is there, the story is written, and for the first time, I’m not just guessing at my worth—I’m showing it.

​What’s one thing you’ve achieved in the last year that you’ve forgotten to record? Perhaps today is the day to write it down.

​“This text was conceived and directed by a human, using Voice-to-Text and AI assistance to overcome a dyslexia induced literacy barrier.”

Overcoming the Inner Critic: Digital Strategy, Self-Belief, and the Beautiful Game

It’s practically mid-June already—Saturday the 13th, to be exact. It is absolutely mental how quickly this year is flying by; you blink and suddenly the summer term is upon us. Lately, amidst the usual blur of the school calendar, I’ve found myself in a rather interesting and challenging position. I'm actively toying with the idea of applying for a digital strategy leadership role within the Trust. On paper, it makes perfect sense. I’ve got all the attributes and I fit the bill perfectly for what they are looking for. In truth, though, the main barrier to doing well in that role—or even just putting my hat in the ring—is simply me. I am my own biggest enemy, battling that nagging inner voice that questions if I'm truly ready.

The Illusion of "Formal" Leadership

A part of my mind shrinks away from the idea of "formal" leadership. There's a certain weight to the title that feels daunting. But when I take a step back and really evaluate my day-to-day, I’m already leading a fair bit anyway, just without the official badge. I’ve been heading up TAS, managing the print shop, and making massive, structural decisions regarding the curriculum. More recently, I’ve been making strategic decisions at a Trust-wide educational level, polishing off and implementing our AI policy across all our schools. I’ve led numerous workshops on the use of AI and SEND, and over time, I’ve become quite a known figure in the field. I’ve put in the hard yards and done the groundwork; I just need to learn how to sell myself and own the space I already occupy.

It’s a classic case of imposter syndrome, isn't it? It reminds me of recent UK workplace studies which suggest that over 70% of us experience imposter syndrome at some point in our careers, feeling like we aren't quite ready for a promotion even whilst we're already doing the heavy lifting. We are certainly not alone in this feeling, but recognising it is the first step to beating it.

Pragmatic Tech and National Standards

The application deadline is the 30th of June, so the clock is ticking, but I’m ready to push forward. Honestly, what’s the worst that can happen? If I don’t get it, it isn’t the end of the world. Life goes on. Even in the worst-case scenario, simply going through the application process puts my ambitions clearly in my line manager’s mind for the future. And my ambitions are certainly high: if I take on digital strategy, I want to lead by national standards. I want our work to stand out and have a massive, measurable impact on the wider educational landscape.

Crucially, however, I want to remain thoroughly pragmatic. In education, it is far too easy to be seduced by the latest gadgets. We don't want shiny tech just for the sake of having shiny tech—that’s a trap too many schools fall into. It has to have a genuine, tangible impact on teaching, learning, and student progress. We have to work backwards from what the learners actually need, rather than forcing a piece of software onto a classroom. Alongside this, I’m constantly thinking about ways we can build digital accessibility so no student is left behind. It all comes back to a simple, driving mantra: if I believe, I can achieve. I just have to get into the mindset of stepping forward, claiming my expertise, and saying, "Right, I am coming forward, and I want this."

Weekend Wind-Downs and the World Cup

On a more personal note, it's been a rather tiring, disjointed weekend. Sarah went out with friends and didn’t get in until 1 a.m., so I ended up having a late one myself, watching *28 Years Later*. It's a brilliant film, but the tension meant I couldn't sleep properly afterwards, which naturally led to staying up late for the football.

The World Cup has officially kicked off, bringing its usual mix of drama and exhaustion! The opening match between Mexico and South Africa wasn't terribly exciting, unfortunately—a bit tedious, actually, and lacking that opening-day spark. However, I did thoroughly enjoy Canada against Bosnia last night; Canada absorbed the pressure brilliantly to get back into the game after conceding early on. The USA vs. Paraguay match in the early hours was very one-sided and a bit of a slog to get through, but tonight we've got Scotland vs. Haiti. It should be a comfortable win for Scotland on paper, but as they say, football is a funny old game and absolutely nothing is guaranteed.

Looking Forward

So, that’s where we are at the moment. A weekend of late-night football, a bit of cinematic fatigue, but mostly, a renewed, quiet focus on what lies ahead. It’s time to be more confident, to back my own hard-earned credentials, and to properly go for that leadership role. Let’s keep moving forward and see what the rest of June brings.

“This text was conceived and directed by a human, using Voice-to-Text and AI assistance to overcome a dyslexia induced literacy barrier.”

The Pragmatic Pivot: Finding Balance Between Innovation and Health

It’s June. Honestly, where does the time go? I’m currently walking up a hill, dictating this while catching my breath—partly because of the incline, but mostly because it’s a stark reminder that I’ve let my own physical health slip to the bottom of the priority list.

As a SEND teacher and someone who has spent years in scientific research, I usually approach problems with a "gadget-first" temptation. I love a shiny new solution. But lately, I’ve been trying to force myself back into a pragmatic, problem-first mindset. The problem is clear: I’m overweight, my fitness is flagging, and the motivation to change is no longer just about aesthetics—it’s about longevity. I want to be around for my kids, and that requires action.

Balancing the Professional Grind

Professionally, things are incredibly busy. I’ve just about wrapped up my accreditation work—it’s in that satisfying "subject to internal verification" stage—and the Print Shop is currently in full-swing, churning out leavers’ hoodies for Newfriars College and Blackfriars Academy.

It’s been a season of refinement. We’ve had a few hurdles with student orders, but troubleshooting those errors is part of the territory. What I’m most excited about is my ongoing work with AI. I’ve been experimenting with using AI to bridge accessibility gaps, specifically by creating infographics that incorporate AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) symbols. There’s something deeply satisfying about using the Eric Carle style of illustration to make resources for independent living—it’s clean, professional, and genuinely helps our learners navigate the world with a bit more autonomy.

I’m ambitious about the role we’re playing in the Trust, and I’m proud of the policy changes we’ve steered. But while I’m pushing the boundaries of AI in education, I realised something important while standing in the park the other day: I can’t advocate for better lives for my students if I’m not willing to do the work to sustain my own.

Atomic Habits and the Power of Small Steps

I’ve decided to stop overcomplicating things. I’m not looking for an "extreme" health transformation; I’m looking for consistency. I’m returning to the fundamentals of James Clear’s Atomic Habits.

It strikes me that the principles of *Atomic Habits* are, at their core, essential for the students I work with as well. I’m currently exploring ways to break down those key concepts into highly visual, accessible resources for our learners. If I can make the science of habit-building accessible for them—and use Mel Robbins’ insights for managing mental health—then we’re not just teaching curriculum; we’re teaching them how to build a life.

As for me? I’m starting small. A power walk around the block tonight. A conscious effort to swap the comfort food for water. No dramatic overhauls, just a shift in the daily algorithm.

The rain is starting to come down quite persistently now, and my walk is coming to an end. It’s a good reminder that progress isn't about the grand gesture—it's about showing up, even when the weather is miserable and you’d rather be doing anything else.

Time to get home, apply a bit of that "ultimate willpower," and stick to the plan. One foot in front of the other.

"This text was conceived and directed by a human, using Voice-to-Text and AI assistance to overcome a dyslexia induced literacy barrier."