Carla Gonzalez – marketing assistant at Connex Education

Where did you go to school?
I am originally from Mexico City and I went to school there
Who was your favourite teacher?
Miss Mariana, my year 6 English teacher. She was a very young teacher but her classes were always very interesting and I used to love listening to her speaking in English; she was the one that inspired me to travel and learn different languages.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Probably English, History or Biology.
Were you streetwise or a bit of a geek?
Streetwise, definitely! 😛
Who was your favourite childhood band/singer?
The Ramones and Green Day.
What was your favourite extra-curricular activity?
Ice-skating! I used to be part of the regional team.
Do you remember your first school crush?
Not really!
What’s your favourite book?
When I was a kid I didn’t use to like reading up until the day when my mum bought me J.K Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” in English; the book instantly became my favourite and made me realise that for some reason I enjoy reading in English better than in Spanish.
Did you love or loathe school dinners?
Loathed them, especially when I was in Kinder Garden; my mum used to be a bit obsessed with me being healthy so she used to make a packed lunch for me; but instead of giving me a nice, big cheese sandwich and a bag of crisps or something she used to give me a Tupperware full of nuts and dried fruits, a bottle of juice and an apple.
What were your ambitions at school?
I have always been a bit competitive so I always wanted to be top of the class and I also wanted to become a professional ice-skater and work for Disney on Ice.
If you could give your childhood self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Take it easy! (I used to be and still am a bit of a stress head)
If you could change anything about the education system, what would it be?
I would probably emphasize more the importance of Grammar and Spelling in Education.
And finally, why do you think it’s important to celebrate educational achievements with awards like the Educate Awards?
I think the Awards are a good way of celebrating achievements that sometimes can go unnoticed and also they are a good way to motivate not only students but the staff itself to keep up the good work. Teachers, head teachers and teaching staff are very important in the development of children; they deserve to be celebrated.