| 'Look what Mrs Trotman done!' |
|
Beverley Trotman entered the public eye in 2007, as the year 6 teacher who entered The X Factor to inspire her  pupils. Since then, she has toured with a national production of FAME and led worship at Christian conferences. Beverley explains why the next step of her journey is taking her back to Icknield Primary School, and the ministry she never truly left. Beverley’s own story is a lesson in hope. Left with her grandparents as a baby, and raised alongside their ten other children, she never knew her natural mother, who died just five years later. Despite this tough beginning, Beverley dismisses suggestions that her childhood was difficult. ‘I knew nothing else, you know. Those were the cards I was dealt – as far as I was concerned, that was normal life.’ Brought up in a Christian household, church proved a valuable training ground for Beverley’s voice, and a gentle nudge towards God. ‘Going to church was just what we did. Later I experienced Christ for myself, and realised that Jesus was my personal Saviour. I grew to understand that; it wasn’t like a massive lightning bolt.’ From Classroom to Stage Beverley went on to run gospel choirs in the local community and joined the renowned Kingdom Choir. As a teacher, she led singing groups and helped with school productions; as her passion for music grew, so did her love for the children she taught. In a society of broken families and teenage violence, Beverley urged her pupils to avoid the negative aspects of youth culture highlighted in the media. ‘Every teacher likes to bring life experience into the classroom,’ she says, ‘That’s what inspires children. I can say that I’ve come from a situation where I’ve had no parents, but I’ve still been able to make different choices. That’s what it’s about: I want to show these young people that they can make different choices.’ Constantly pestered by the children to audition for The X Factor, Beverley’s response was always the same: ‘I don’t want to be humiliated on national TV – I’ve got sense!’ In 2006, though, Beverley’s life was hit by a double blow. ‘On Mother’s Day, my grandmother passed away. Then after trying to get to know my natural father, he died that same June. It was really tough.’ In the wake of grief, a new confidence emerged. ‘I was like, “If I did enter this thing now, what could really happen to me?” I’d lost the fear.’ On the show, Beverley spoke passionately of her pupils and her goal to be a positive role model for the children she knew. Though she didn’t win, Beverley’s recognition as ‘the voice of the competition’ set her on a new path, and she continued to perform. In light of her musical success, one might assume that Beverley has left the classroom far behind. In fact, she returned in September to teach part-time; singing and teaching are, for her, irrevocably linked. ‘I like to pull them together. Being on television and then being able to go back to that school and see some of those children is such a blessing to me, because to them I haven’t become unreachable, and they can say, “look what Mrs. Trotman done!” I think that means a lot.’ Beverley’s debut, ‘Voice of Hope’, is an album of gospel praise, plotting a course of faith in a trustworthy God, through all of life’s challenges. ‘It’s not just “Jesus, Jesus, I love you,”’ she explains, ‘It’s more of a journey. The title track was written by a worship leader from a church in Bradford and it came out of 9/11. There was so much panic going on, and she said, “You know, God is the only one who has a voice of hope.” And there is hope. Even in what would seem to be the absolute worst situation, there is hope.’ Article provided by and used with the permission of Integrity-Provident |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
