Mrs T . . .
My name is Helen Tarokh, but for nearly 30 years, I was better known as Mrs Tarokh, teacher, then headteacher.
For the last few years, I've been an ILM Level 7 executive coach working mostly with school leaders. I do most of my work via video call, which means I am privileged to work with leaders all round the country and beyond.
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I keep my 'finger on the pulse' through my voluntary role as a trustee with a large MAT here in the North East, and through my work supporting NPQH as a coach and assessor.
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I'm a Northern lass, and proud of that! I think that contributes to my down to earth personality and brings a sense of realism to my work.
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I'm bringing to the coaching space my 3 core values of empowerment, compassion and creativity.
'It was a job I loved, but the way I did it always meant that it would come to an early end.'
I retrained as a coach in 2021 after a 27 year career in education, including 10 years as a head.
My own career as a head was cut short by stress-related illness, so I've seen both sides of the coin: searching for sustainability whilst in the job and building a new career on the other side.
Looking back it was a job I loved, but the way I did it - at 100 miles an hour with very few pit stops - always meant that it would come to an early end.
In fact, the last year of my role was the one in which I had the greatest insights into how leadership could be different. But it was a bit too late for me.