Helen Johnston is an Academic Support Worker at The Learning Support Centre, and her approach to supporting students begins with a simple but powerful idea: no two learners experience education in the same way. Whether she is helping a student make sense of complex material or encouraging them to grow in confidence and independence, Helen focuses on understanding the individual first, then shaping her support around what they truly need to succeed.
A Career Built Around Education
Helen brings a wealth of experience to her role, having spent over 20 years teaching in primary education as a language specialist, alongside environmental and science subjects, before moving into higher education where she taught English to international students for more than 12 years.
After retiring from teaching, Helen was looking for a new challenge that would allow her to continue working with students while focusing on the aspect of education she enjoys most: supporting learning.
“I’ve met many students of different ages and nationalities throughout my career. I think I have a lot to offer, and I like to focus on giving academic support rather than practical support.”
Today, Helen works as an Academic Support Worker, primarily providing note-taking support to students, helping them engage with their studies and access their learning more effectively.
The Value of Individualised Support
One of the key lessons Helen has learned throughout her career is that no two students are the same.
While working with disabled and neurodivergent students, she has seen first-hand how important it is to avoid assumptions and instead take the time to understand each person’s unique needs and preferences.
“Everyone is individual. Some students want a lot of support, while others want complete independence. You can’t put everyone into the same group.”
For Helen, the most effective support starts with listening, asking questions and adapting your approach to the individual rather than following a one-size-fits-all model.
“Judge it from what the individual needs of the student are.”
Finding Reward in Student Success
Helen’s role often focuses on note-taking and she finds great satisfaction in knowing that her work helps students engage with their studies and achieve their goals.
One particularly memorable experience involved supporting a Politics student whose subject area closely aligned with Helen’s own interests and expertise.
“He was really appreciative and let me know the difference the support made. That’s rewarding when you know someone appreciates what you do.”
Feedback like this reinforces the impact that tailored support can have on a student’s university experience.
Why Helen Joined The Learning Support Centre
For Helen, joining The Learning Support Centre was a natural next step in her career.
Having spent decades in education, she recognised the value of specialist support services and wanted to continue using her experience in a way that directly benefits students.
“I can see the value of a supporting role and, at this stage of my career, it’s something I’m well equipped to do.”
She also appreciates the opportunity to focus on supporting learners without the heavy workload and administrative pressures that often come with classroom teaching.
Living the LSC Values
When asked which of The Learning Support Centre’s values resonates most with her experience, Helen highlighted one in particular: Supportive.
She explained that knowing there is always someone from the LSC team available to offer guidance and help when challenges arise has made a significant difference.
“If you have a problem or you’re unsure about something, there’s always someone who will quickly try their best to respond and help.”
This culture of support not only benefits students but also ensures staff feel valued and empowered in their roles.
Looking Ahead
What Helen enjoys most about her work is the opportunity to meet a wide variety of students and play a part in their academic journey.
“What keeps me going is meeting different students and being able to support them. Seeing that you can help enable them to study as well as they can.”
Her dedication, experience and student-centred approach embody The Learning Support Centre mission: creating inclusive, empowering support that helps every learner reach their potential.