Wow, I hadn't realised it had been so long since last posting! This year has seen so many changes in terms of the new A-Levels, new GCSEs and the potential for 'life after levels'. My only hope is that whatever happens politically someone stops and says perhaps teachers (and students and their parents) have had enough upheaval in recent years and leave education alone!
Anyhow, that brings me on to my posting now. I am preparing for our exciting new History course, I think the students will love the options we have gone for. There are some wonderful options being offered by the exam boards including my favourite Crime and Punishment. I've found myself re-visiting sites, books and topics that I used for my undergraduate degree in particular the proceedings at The Old Bailey. The only danger is it is so easy to lose yourself following cases, readings and crime stats! But, a thoroughly fascinating way to lose a few hours nonetheless.
This term has also seen exciting planning with regards to one of my other areas of interest WomenEd we had a fantastic regional training session earlier in the year where the direction and next steps were thoroughly discussed. There have been tea parties to celebrate the first birthday, regional meets, publications and planning has already begun for the next unconference in October. It has been so exciting and rewarding to be part of this. Not only have I had the chance to meet and work with some incredible and inspiring women but it has given me a renewed energy and confidence.
So the next big step will be exam results day, with the sheer hard work and effort that young people have been putting in I just hope that certain newspapers refrain from their usual 'exams the easiest they have ever been' style headlines. It only serves to belittle the achievements of students and to upset those who haven't got the grades they hoped for. So as this academic year prepares to enter its final few weeks I hope everyone is where they want to be!
Showing posts with label womened. Show all posts
Showing posts with label womened. Show all posts
Saturday, 18 June 2016
Sunday, 3 January 2016
Getting women involved
Just a quick place holder. This evening saw an incredible discussion about 'How could WomenEd be promoted with women coming into the teaching profession?'
The reason why this is such an important question is that WomenEd is rapidly becoming an important movement. Last October saw the first unconference, with more events planned for this year. This is a growing movement, growing in number, growing in skill and hopefully growing in influence. This is a powerful collective of educators with a range of stories, experiences and backgrounds.
This alone, makes it something vital to share with new teachers. With frightening news reports suggesting that '53%' considering leaving the profession in the next two years. We read reports about low morale, stress and mental health concerns, the article also talks about workload and stress. Talking to teachers this is a growing fear and problem. WomenEd offers the ability to connect teachers, to support them not only in career progression but in their career. I blogged previously about delivering a session looking at managing your mental health. This is an area where making connections and links with a network like WomenEd will help, it provides support and lived experiences. New teachers can see that not only are they not alone, but that others have felt this way before.
One of the key factors that was raised time and time again during the discussion was the importance of publicity and Initial Teacher Training. Making those links with ITT providers to ensure that WomenEd material is shared and the message is given to students. This not only builds the network but again provides that support net. The challenge will be in building and maintaining that network, making the initial contact and then reinforcing it. One potential would be for ITT providers and schools to identify a lead teacher who would support female staff and make/maintain the links to WomenEd.
This led onto a discussion about how you would promote WomenEd to ensure that schools knew that it existed and what it was. Part of this was about staff identifying their aims and goals, and acknowledging that this might vary regionally. Did teachers want takeaway items like pens and mugs to use within school that promoted WomenEd as a concept, encouraging staff to research it. Working in the way that an ad campaign might. Or creating a shareable network of videos or articles, tangible items that could be shared within the profession and added to, to build the collective community story.
Anyway, that is all I have time for this evening. But, the proper write-up will follow shortly. In the meantime if you have suggestions about promoting WomenEd and how to share and build the network please do comment, and share!
The reason why this is such an important question is that WomenEd is rapidly becoming an important movement. Last October saw the first unconference, with more events planned for this year. This is a growing movement, growing in number, growing in skill and hopefully growing in influence. This is a powerful collective of educators with a range of stories, experiences and backgrounds.
This alone, makes it something vital to share with new teachers. With frightening news reports suggesting that '53%' considering leaving the profession in the next two years. We read reports about low morale, stress and mental health concerns, the article also talks about workload and stress. Talking to teachers this is a growing fear and problem. WomenEd offers the ability to connect teachers, to support them not only in career progression but in their career. I blogged previously about delivering a session looking at managing your mental health. This is an area where making connections and links with a network like WomenEd will help, it provides support and lived experiences. New teachers can see that not only are they not alone, but that others have felt this way before.
One of the key factors that was raised time and time again during the discussion was the importance of publicity and Initial Teacher Training. Making those links with ITT providers to ensure that WomenEd material is shared and the message is given to students. This not only builds the network but again provides that support net. The challenge will be in building and maintaining that network, making the initial contact and then reinforcing it. One potential would be for ITT providers and schools to identify a lead teacher who would support female staff and make/maintain the links to WomenEd.
This led onto a discussion about how you would promote WomenEd to ensure that schools knew that it existed and what it was. Part of this was about staff identifying their aims and goals, and acknowledging that this might vary regionally. Did teachers want takeaway items like pens and mugs to use within school that promoted WomenEd as a concept, encouraging staff to research it. Working in the way that an ad campaign might. Or creating a shareable network of videos or articles, tangible items that could be shared within the profession and added to, to build the collective community story.
Anyway, that is all I have time for this evening. But, the proper write-up will follow shortly. In the meantime if you have suggestions about promoting WomenEd and how to share and build the network please do comment, and share!
Sunday, 4 October 2015
#WomenEd Unconference
So, had an amazing day at the first WomenEd unconference yesterday. Kindly hosted by Microsoft, at Cardinal Place. The day opened with some inspiring speeches that helped not only put you at ease but remind you why you were there. It was a non-stop busy day, and I won't lie I was shattered on the bus home, but it was definitely worth it.
The first session I went to was about Feminist Leadership; an incredible discussion led by Kay Fuller that really got us not only thinking but talking about what feminist leadership was and what it looked like in the educational world. I came away with so much to think about, and so much more that I wanted to find out. So a huge thank you to Kay for such a wonderful start to the day.
I then went to an interesting discussion about the use of academic work and research in informing the public debate about social justice in education. This was chaired by Dr Ruth Boyask and the discussion that followed got me thinking about the dilemma that we seem to have in education. We have politicians making educational policy who have not taught, or lack the long-term experience of education. What can work in a manifesto may not work in the classroom, and this was what we discussed. The trouble we found was how you encourage people/schools to try out educational theory, research it in meaningful depth and then use this to feed into policy. A fascinating talk, with a lot of food for thought.
It was a quick sprint over to the auditorium for the next session, which was absolutely packed. This was to hear Jill Berry speak about how every teacher is a leader. The session was full of fascinating anecdotes and experiences as well as practical and realistic advice. Jill was an engaging and honest speaker! I particularly liked the admissions about her thesis (a kindred spirit!) The encouragement to think about support, mentoring and leadership was so important. This is the only way that as women we will begin to break the glass ceiling in terms of leadership and challenge.
Finally I went to an incredible session titled 'You can't be what you can't see' led by Bennie Kara, this was a session exploring the importance of diversity in leadership. The only way we will encourage current students to consider education or leadership is by showing positive role models, this is something we all need to engage with. To ensure that our students, and colleagues, can be the best they can. Some really interesting points came out during the discussion that certainly got me thinking.
Then came my session! I led a session looking at how you can manage your mental health. It started as a discussion about what had brought colleagues to this session, which included some poignant and powerful examples (if that isn't cliched to say that). I was so grateful that people had the bravery and courage to share some of these things. A year ago I certainly don't think I would have had the courage to have done so. This is why #WomenEd matters, if it encourages just a handful of woment o be that 10% braver it has already achieved so much.
A truly amazing day!
The first session I went to was about Feminist Leadership; an incredible discussion led by Kay Fuller that really got us not only thinking but talking about what feminist leadership was and what it looked like in the educational world. I came away with so much to think about, and so much more that I wanted to find out. So a huge thank you to Kay for such a wonderful start to the day.
I then went to an interesting discussion about the use of academic work and research in informing the public debate about social justice in education. This was chaired by Dr Ruth Boyask and the discussion that followed got me thinking about the dilemma that we seem to have in education. We have politicians making educational policy who have not taught, or lack the long-term experience of education. What can work in a manifesto may not work in the classroom, and this was what we discussed. The trouble we found was how you encourage people/schools to try out educational theory, research it in meaningful depth and then use this to feed into policy. A fascinating talk, with a lot of food for thought.
It was a quick sprint over to the auditorium for the next session, which was absolutely packed. This was to hear Jill Berry speak about how every teacher is a leader. The session was full of fascinating anecdotes and experiences as well as practical and realistic advice. Jill was an engaging and honest speaker! I particularly liked the admissions about her thesis (a kindred spirit!) The encouragement to think about support, mentoring and leadership was so important. This is the only way that as women we will begin to break the glass ceiling in terms of leadership and challenge.
Finally I went to an incredible session titled 'You can't be what you can't see' led by Bennie Kara, this was a session exploring the importance of diversity in leadership. The only way we will encourage current students to consider education or leadership is by showing positive role models, this is something we all need to engage with. To ensure that our students, and colleagues, can be the best they can. Some really interesting points came out during the discussion that certainly got me thinking.
Then came my session! I led a session looking at how you can manage your mental health. It started as a discussion about what had brought colleagues to this session, which included some poignant and powerful examples (if that isn't cliched to say that). I was so grateful that people had the bravery and courage to share some of these things. A year ago I certainly don't think I would have had the courage to have done so. This is why #WomenEd matters, if it encourages just a handful of woment o be that 10% braver it has already achieved so much.
A truly amazing day!
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