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Qualified in 2012?

If you qualified last year and have not yet upgraded to full membership, phone our membership hotlines 0845 300 1669 or 020 7380 6369, or go to www.teachers.org.uk/join. Upgrade today and pay £1 for your 2013 membership.

My role in the Union

Isobel Shaw is Curriculum Leader for modern foreign languages at Longbenton Community College, and an NUT rep and union learning rep for North Tyneside.

Why did you become active in the Union?

There was no school rep when the pay campaign was launched a few years ago. I stepped forward as we really needed someone to coordinate meetings and put forward colleagues’ views.

What role do you currently hold?

I am the NUT school rep, and last year began to promote life-long learning in North Tyneside.

What does the role involve?

I received NUT training at Stoke Rochford last March. I surveyed members’ needs, and so far have organised taster classes in relaxation, Zumba and Spanish. I try to raise awareness about the NUT courses and events on offer to members, such as training for early career and newly qualified teachers.

What are the best aspects of the role?

There is a sense of fulfilment when members

report back positively on a course or a taster class. For some, it leads to a regular commitment.

What are the worst?

In November last year there was enormous support for the joint union pensions rally in Newcastle- Gateshead. The mass of people crossing the Tyne, and then walking along past the Sage and the Baltic gallery, had to be seen to be believed. It was frustrating that on the following day the national press chose to ignore this and other rallies around the country.

Who has inspired you?

North east suffragette Emily Davidson, who gave her life for women’s votes*. Also my colleagues at Longbenton who are determined to secure a better deal for young teachers.

What changes would you like to see?

Occasionally colleagues say they don’t use their vote. A positive change would be a higher turn-out whenever there is a ballot.

* The Union is supporting a campaign for a one- minute silence at the Derby and a permanent memorial in her honour.

If you are interested in becoming an NUT rep, or playing another role in the Union, go to www.teachers. org.uk/getinvolved

Tell us about your role – email teacher@nut.org.uk

100 years ago

The Schoolmaster, January 11, 1913 County Council Teachers

Miss Evans, Leo Street Council School, described how she inculcated home reading among girls. They began by creating a love for stories in the lower classes partly by letting the children act the stories. Their aim was not merely to make fluent readers, but book lovers. It was hoped that the Council would allow money for a library in senior schools. The older girls were encouraged to join a free library.

One of their greatest book lovers went as a general servant at fourteen, and was now, age twenty, in the same place and most highly valued by her mistress.

That was the answer to those who thought reading spoiled them for domestic service.