Seize the day…

I had the privilege of studying at Stranmillis between 2009 and 2013, setting in motion my first steps towards a profession I’d always hoped I would join. I’ve come a long way from that first lonely journey to Belfast for my Stran interview in upper sixth, crossing everything possible in the hope that someone would give me a chance, a shot, a foot in the door. I’m so glad they did. My time at Stranmillis, studying a B.Ed in Business and Enterprise, remains the most enjoyable time in my life, made all the more special by the friends I made and the opportunities I seized. I consider these friends the closest I have, and my time in the Netherlands on Erasmus a life changing experience. Fast forward to 2020 and I’m in my second school in England, and have just finished my third year as Assistant Principal. Before that I enjoyed two years as Head of Department, and a couple more years as a Business and IT teacher. We’re now emerging from our second national lockdown, with the pandemic only magnifying the immeasurable impact schools have on young people’s life chances, welfare and personal development. Our school, which I’m enormously proud to help lead, has navigated the twists and turns as best we can, putting student and staff wellbeing at the heart of every decision. It was an honour to be invited to return to Stranmillis in July 2018 to speak with graduates and prize winners, as well as Open Day the year before to help encourage more males into teaching. I hope one day to return again, to the place where it all began. I’m so grateful someone in 2009 decided to give me the chance to study at the great institution that is Stranmillis, and I pay it back each day, doing a job I love.  Daniel Clawson LinkedIN Profile