Left handed teachers

[Rachellow]

Hello, I'm in the midst of my primary PGCE and absolutely loving it so far! I'm about to go into my preliminary placement (Year 2) next week and I've just had a bout of worry about the fact I'm left handed. My writing is ok and legible but definitely cant switch hands or use most right handed scissors. I think I'm concerned about in this clas or future showing right handed pupils how to do practical things eg holding a pencil and writing on whiteboards as I'll be obscuring what I've just written. Has any left handed primary school teacher found this to be an issue and is there any coping strategies?

[Rockbird]

I'm not a teacher, but my left handed dd has learnt just fine from the seven right handed teachers that she had through primary school so I think you'll be ok. Good luck with your placement!

[Mumdiva99]

I'm a lefty who learnt successfully from righties. At least you will show compassion for understanding ink smudge.

[Downton57]

I found my left-handedness useful as a teacher, as I could empathise with left-handed pupils. You won't be obscuring what you've written on a whiteboard for more than a few seconds. I have the most peculiar pencil hold too, but managed to show the kids how to do it the correct way. You'll manage fine, honestly.

[VaguelySkeletal]

Right-handed children have a world of examples to learn from. As a left-hander you could be marvellous for the lefties in your class, struggling with a world set up for righties.

My left-handed dd's handwriting - and her confidence - took a huge leap forward in the year she had a left-handed teacher.

[BelindasGleeTeam]

Left handed teacher here. Never been an issue.

I use a visualiser a lot, and tilt my page to write nearly but just adjust the visualiser so it appears straight on screen.

[BackforGood]

Never been an issue here either.
Get yourself a good pair of left handed scissor for when you need to cut things, and crack on.

[woodymiller]

I wish my lefty DS had a left handed teacher instead of the one that insisted he didn't need different scissors and tried to get him to use finger spacing when he was learning to write

[moggiemonster]

Never been an issue, in fact it has been commented on favourably by parents of left-handed children.

I can’t use left-handed scissors but love my left-handed sharpener.

One teacher took me I was my pencil grip was incorrect for a left-handler, they were right-handed. I curve my hand over the pen rather than the below tripod grip.

[SpaghettiSharon]

I’m a leftie! My kids love that I’m “different” and it does mean I’m more aware of leftie issues in the classroom. Honestly don’t worry - enjoy your placement!

[Kanga83]

Not a teacher but wondering- I have a 4 year old leftie. Are there any aids that would be handy for him? I've bought some left handed scissors which he now loves and has got rid of his frustration over cutting, but what about pencils etc? He's not progressing from mark making and was just wondering if it's because he's left handed?