Report from the Young Teachers Conference, Stoke Rochford, March 2007
Jenny Howells writes:
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet teachers just like yourself, share stories and experiences and realise that your part of a huge teaching team and support network that extends beyond your school into your county, your region, your country and the world!”
To be honest, I don’t know if anyone said that over the weekend at the Young Teachers Conference held at Stoke Rochford at the start of March, but they should have done.
The conference was introduced last year as a means to provide young teachers (that’s all of you under 36) with a voice as well as an opportunity to meet others within the profession in a non threatening, relaxed environment. For many, like me, that was my first experience of the Union, which I originally thought was just there to support you in times of need. I now know that it’s not! Your union is doing so much more for teachers not only in the UK, but across the globe. (Did you know that the NUT offers many courses for your CPD and has also played a leading role on issues concerning the Middle East within the teachers’ international organisation - Education International?)
The conference CLASSROOM CLIMATE, GLOBAL CLIMATE included relaxed, informal seminars where we discussed the issues that are most important to young teachers (lack of jobs, support in school, assessment, behaviour, career progression, inclusion, special needs were just a few of the areas tackled in my group) in a bid to construct a charter for Young Teachers within the Union. There were also some accomplished speakers to speak about climate change and what Trade Unionists can do, education and sustainable development and the issues facing young teachers around the globe.
The conference was held at Stoke Rochford, the NUT’s training centre. It’s a huge stately home near Grantham within impressive grounds and some great facilities including a restaurant serving great food and a well stocked bar which all helped the social side of things and made sure the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed (although it did mean some strange moves were unleashed on the dance floor in the evening).
I came away from the weekend feeling reenergised about the job and the profession. I realised that I wasn’t just a teacher in a school, but I was part of a huge network of teachers that stretched across the globe and I found out that I could have a say and a voice about issues concerning me and be listened to.
I’d recommend to all of you Young Teachers out there to get to know those in your NUT. Not only is it a great way to meet new people, you’ll also find people who will listen and offer advice and discover a whole new side to the profession!
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet teachers just like yourself, share stories and experiences and realise that your part of a huge teaching team and support network that extends beyond your school into your county, your region, your country and the world!”
To be honest, I don’t know if anyone said that over the weekend at the Young Teachers Conference held at Stoke Rochford at the start of March, but they should have done.
The conference was introduced last year as a means to provide young teachers (that’s all of you under 36) with a voice as well as an opportunity to meet others within the profession in a non threatening, relaxed environment. For many, like me, that was my first experience of the Union, which I originally thought was just there to support you in times of need. I now know that it’s not! Your union is doing so much more for teachers not only in the UK, but across the globe. (Did you know that the NUT offers many courses for your CPD and has also played a leading role on issues concerning the Middle East within the teachers’ international organisation - Education International?)
The conference CLASSROOM CLIMATE, GLOBAL CLIMATE included relaxed, informal seminars where we discussed the issues that are most important to young teachers (lack of jobs, support in school, assessment, behaviour, career progression, inclusion, special needs were just a few of the areas tackled in my group) in a bid to construct a charter for Young Teachers within the Union. There were also some accomplished speakers to speak about climate change and what Trade Unionists can do, education and sustainable development and the issues facing young teachers around the globe.
The conference was held at Stoke Rochford, the NUT’s training centre. It’s a huge stately home near Grantham within impressive grounds and some great facilities including a restaurant serving great food and a well stocked bar which all helped the social side of things and made sure the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed (although it did mean some strange moves were unleashed on the dance floor in the evening).
I came away from the weekend feeling reenergised about the job and the profession. I realised that I wasn’t just a teacher in a school, but I was part of a huge network of teachers that stretched across the globe and I found out that I could have a say and a voice about issues concerning me and be listened to.
I’d recommend to all of you Young Teachers out there to get to know those in your NUT. Not only is it a great way to meet new people, you’ll also find people who will listen and offer advice and discover a whole new side to the profession!
posted by West Sussex Teachers' Association at
10:35 PM
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