CPD in association with
The future
of governors
Where do
you stand?
Where exactly
Most importantly, the people who answer this likely you are to receive a reply that takes into account Make sure you ask this question of people who
question will be identifying what they see as your your school’s emerging skill needs. know your work. They are likely to offer suggestions
are you in
most pressing development need. After all, you When you ask this question, look for trends in the about areas of your practice where they think you
are asking about what development you should be responses in order to get a clear idea of how people are have most to learn. In doing so, they may also identify
planning now. matching your current achievements and development development issues that you have overlooked.
your career?
You will learn a lot about other people’s judgements needs to the needs of your school. This is very helpful information because most
of you and your development needs by asking this Listen carefully, you are learning about potential people have blind spots in their judgements about
Margaret
question, so be prepared to ask it often. development pathways and opportunities in your school how they need to develop. If the person you ask
via these responses. This is valuable information. recommends you watch someone who is very
Adams asks the question
What CPD should I plan to complete next term?
organised at work, or someone who deals effectively
Ask this question and you are looking into the future. Who should I job-shadow to help me in my with parents, or who communicates easily with his or
You are also asking about opportunities. her team, take note.
HE ABOVE is an important question, Those who answer are likely to be thinking about
current role?
This sort of guidance tells you where someone
T
but perhaps it is not the first question projects that are coming up, opportunities that are Job-shadowing is a form of CPD that is gaining in thinks you stand in your development and where
you ask yourself when you are emerging, and skills shortages in your school, as well popularity. Quite simply it is a means of enabling you to you need to apply your efforts now. Therefore, once
planning your CPD. as about you and your current situation, when they offer watch someone at work who has skills that you want to you receive replies to this question, review your own
You are far more likely to think their responses. develop. You, quite literally, become that person’s shadow judgements of your development needs and seriously
about what you are interested in, what The more senior the person you speak to, the more for a day and watch his or her working practices. consider adding new elements to your CPD plan.
you want to know more about, and
where you think you need to upgrade your skills. If you were in my shoes, what CPD would
You probably have clear views on all of these issues,
but it is also worth seeking the advice of people in
you be considering?
school who know you and your work. They, too, will
Keeping your cool
This is a much bigger question than the others. It is
have views about where you stand in your career and really a question about how you might shape your
what development you need to undertake, and those development and your career in teaching for the
views could be very different from your own. You need they are managing them. But this is really not the foreseeable future.
to learn about these views.
Dot Struthers
case and what happens is that our emotions seem to If you find people are willing to answer this question,
The more views you have access to, the better you leak their way out in the form of sighs, fidgeting and then be grateful because they are stepping out of their
will understand how you are perceived in school. As a shares some nervous laughter. This might bring minor relief but comfort zone to try and help you.
result, you are likely to gain a more rounded picture of that is all. Their guidance will be a mix of CPD advice,
what you do well, and where you need to develop.
thoughts on
So how do you manage your emotions? Here are a signposting to opportunities in your school, and a
Therefore, seek out a variety of views. Ask several few thoughts about staying healthy and in control. reflection on your current situation. Someone who
of your colleagues. Speak to people who know you in gives you a considered response will be taking into
different working contexts and who, themselves, have
how you can
Seven steps to staying healthy
account what you have done to date in teaching, what
different levels of seniority and experience. • Be aware you are feeling something. that person knows about your level of commitment
Take care, however, to help the people you approach
control your emotions
• Recognise and label your feelings. Do not to your job, and how you are perceived in school, as
to concentrate on what development they think would suppress them. well as what he or she knows about developments in
be right for you in your current situation, rather than • Decide whether you can talk about them or take education and in your school.
their views of what makes good CPD generally. MOST OF us have experienced that feeling of losing some other action. When you receive this sort of advice, do not
Use the following questions to set you, and the control of our emotions and then doing or saying • If you cannot, ask why not and check whether challenge it. Accept it and reflect on it. Consider
people you talk to, on the right track. something that we later regret. you are making excuses. what impact the advice would have on your career.
Our feelings and emotions can build up inside of • Decide how to talk about your feelings, where, Think about incorporating the advice into your CPD
What is the most relevant CPD I could us a bit like hot steam in a pressure cooker, and if they and when. planning.
undertake this term?
are not regulated and controlled, they can explode. • Try talking to a friend, spouse, or the person who
The problem with holding onto your emotions triggered the emotion.
Conclusion
This is a really good question for focusing the people until bursting point is that it can lead to you getting • Relieve the tensions by doing something physical All good plans are rooted in the present, and CPD plans
you speak to on the here and now, and on your angry and you may even shout, which may give you – walking or gardening for example. are no exception.
particular circumstances. temporary relief, but it can also leave you feeling People who are happy and energetic are generally Use your colleagues’ insights to help you to be
Ask a range of people. Ask your head of department. guilty or embarrassed. those who can keep the pressure at a reasonable level, sure about where you stand now, so that you can be
Ask someone on your school’s pastoral team. Ask And sometimes as the pressure builds up for some by letting their emotions out as they come in, but clear about the starting point on the next stage of your
senior people who are familiar with your work what, people, the only way out is to moan, nag, drink or using a positive outlet to manage them. development journey in teaching. Then start planning
exactly, you should be doing in terms of your CPD. engage in some other negative pursuit, which relieves your CPD.
The chances are you will receive advice linked to the tension but wastes energy and which does not • Dot Struthers runs tele-coaching sessions for
the specialist area of the person you are speaking to, help to solve the problem. teachers wanting to stay in control of their emotions. • Margaret Adams is the author of How to Take Charge
but it will be tempered by that person’s view of your Some people think that if they hide their feelings For more information, visit www.merechats.co.uk of Your Teaching Career (Continuum International
situation and your needs. Publishing, 2008).
SecEd • February 12 2009 13
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