Arnas Burda

Meet Arnas, who has turned a lifelong passion for history into a fulfilling teaching career. Now an Early Career Teacher (ECT), he’s come full circle, inspiring the next generation, just as his own teachers once inspired him.

A dream career in the classroom

Becoming a history teacher was always the goal, and the classroom is where that dream came to life. ‘I wanted to give back to the teachers who inspired me and helped guide me when I felt lost as a student,” he says. “Now, I strive to do the same, showing patience and kindness, even with some of the more challenging pupils.’

That kindness goes hand in hand with ambition. ‘My colleagues sometimes tell me I’m too ambitious. But I think introducing advanced terminology early on, like ‘Duma,’ ‘revolution,’ and ‘Tsar’ in a lesson on the Russian Revolution, helps students engage with history on a deeper level. I always adapt lessons to make them accessible, without diluting the core ideas.’

He describes his first year as an ECT as a journey of self-learning. I regularly observe my colleagues and reflect on my own teaching practice. Ultimately, we work as educators not only to improve our craft but to nurture the next generation of doctors, politicians, and philosophers.’

The Herts experience

Reflecting on his time at Herts, he’s quick to acknowledge the lecturers who sparked his passion. ‘I want to give a massive shoutout to K. Navickas, D. Grey, W. Bainbridge, S. Collier, and T. Shaw. They were exceptional educators who made every class an engaging experience.’ He says.

He recalls leaving lectures with more questions than answers,’ something that fuelled his love of research. ‘For me, it wasn’t just about academic rigour, it was the people and the relationships that allowed me the freedom to flourish. I’m not someone who thrives under strict instruction, so having that space to explore my own interpretations of events was invaluable.’

One of his fondest memories is of the Herts library. ‘The wealth of knowledge there was incredible; some books were over a century old. It was surreal holding literary history in my hands and tracing how debates evolved.’

A lifelong love of History

His fascination with history began long before university. ‘When my dad introduced me to the grand dukes of Lithuania. History allows room for interpretation. You can debate anything, and that constant questioning is what makes it so special.’

Although he’s achieved his lifelong goal of becoming a history teacher, his ambitions continue to evolve. ‘I’ve technically achieved my dream, but my desire to write historical articles, and perhaps even a monograph. One day, I’d love to pursue a professorship and continue my journey as a historian.’

He also enjoys writing fantasy and world-building in his spare time. ‘It wouldn’t be unheard of for me to combine my passions and become both a novelist and a teacher.’

Advice for Herts students

‘Be open-minded, not just to lectures, but to the material you engage with. Be willing to be wrong. The ability to change your mind is where real learning happens. Embrace that discomfort, it’s the heart of education.’