VIEWS
FROM THE PEN OF: LORNA WILLIAMS & COLIN HOWARD
Teaching Early Years
In our regular series highlighting writers in education, we hear this month from LORNA WILLIAMS and COLIN HOWARD, co-authors of “Essential Guides for Early Career Teachers: Teaching Early Years”.
As a new colleague in higher education, I felt like a ‘fish out of water’ far from the comfort and familiarity of my early years (EY) pond!
Colin championed, supported and advised me as I was inducted into this very new and ‘grown-up’ world of teacher education. ‘We should write a book about teaching in the early years!’. This was a suggestion Colin made on more than one occasion. Feeling completely awestruck yet flattered, I would smile whilst thinking that this was something far from my reach! Five years on and Colin approached me with the perfect proposition and platform – a book to support EY (Early Years) teachers embarking on their early career. I was in - but where to begin? Reflecting on my own experiences as a newly qualified EY teacher almost 25 years ago, both Colin and I felt strongly that the book should speak to the reader – supportive, reassuring and encouraging. Teaching in the EY is a unique experience, often unlike teaching and learning elsewhere in primary school. Spinning the plates of the holistic EY curriculum, grappling with the multi-faceted identity as an EY teacher, whilst building effective relationships with families and most importantly the daily sprinkling of magic for those tiny wide-eyed learners is a privilege and a challenge in equal measure. We turned to the voices of those about to embark on their early career journey asking EY trainee teachers to capture their worries, fears, hopes and aspirations; asking them what should be included to support them as they stepped into their new early years’ teacher shoes. We will forever be grateful for their honest and candid input which shaped the chapters of this book together with my own experiences as an EY teacher and phase leader. Writing together has provided us both with a much-needed critical lens. It has also allowed us to share our knowledge of professional development through reflection, a key element which may be found throughout this book.
We feel this book is timely given what has recently been a period of turbulence and uncertainty for education due to Covid-19. It has become obvious to us the importance and significant role that education can play in our children’s daily lives. The role that teachers play is significant and cannot be underestimated. Our future is therefore beholden to supporting and nurturing those who choose teaching as their future profession. When children start their schooling, it is important that they have the best of educational experiences. There can be no doubt that what they encounter will form the building blocks of their future successes. It will be our early career teachers (ECTs) who will be there for our children in their future, playing a pivotal role in guiding, supporting and challenging them whatever path they may tread. In essence this book has been written to reassuringly speak to EY ECTs and celebrate the uniqueness of the EY teacher as a highly skilled professional who holds children and their futures at the very heart of excellent EY practice.
“Essential Guides for Early Career Teachers: Teaching Early Years” is available now from
www.criticalpublishing.com.
December 2022 CHARLOTTE ROWLEY ON LEADERSHIP
Setting the tone In her new regular column on leadership CHARLOTTE ROWLEY, Acting Principal, St Maria Goretti Catholic Academy, this month takes a look at the importance of setting the tone, culture and ethos of a school.
I often write about the importance of transparent leadership and how vital it is to simply be you. I still stand by this, however, there are a few exceptions to this and a few notions to consider.
Amateur dramatics
I remember someone saying to me that teaching was like acting. Admittedly, you do not need an Oscar to succeed, or any award or qualification actually – simple amateur dramatics may be sufficient. The reason for this comparison though is because pupils need positivity, enthusiasm and sometimes a performance! It’s how we win hearts and minds. Leadership is no different. Some days we just need an act.
Turn the frown upside down
Even on the days when we simply ‘do not feel it’, the days (round about now actually!) when the winter colds and other germs are doing the rounds, we need to maintain that sense of resilience. As leaders we need to be the pillars that both our pupils and staff can rely on and often lean on. Even if we have had a confidence dip or the ‘To Do’ list is out of control, we really must be present, despite maybe having our own worries or turbulence.
Why?
Leaders and particularly the headteacher set the tone, culture and ethos of the school. If their mood is miserable, this then permeates through every aspect of school life. If that office door is mostly closed and they are not visible, staff will not approach which can then lead to an ‘us and them’ culture. Not good. If leaders show appreciation and gratitude for staff, then individuals instantly feel valued. If schools are led with optimism and joy, any battles will be easier to face because leaders have taken people ‘with’ them, and you instantly have a culture of aspiration and hope. Who wouldn’t want this? The above that I mentioned are genuinely needed and staff need to feel it. Most of the time this will be naturally a part of who we are as leaders and an integral part of the job that we do, but occasionally, this may have to be ‘acted’ out. I have been fortunate to work for some amazing, positive and compassionate leaders, but I have also heard horror stories of the opposite; the mood hoovers or ‘lemon suckers’ as a colleague once hilariously referred to them as. A data-driven culture rather than one that is people-centred leads to a loss of good staff. Don’t distance and don’t divide.
Laugh the troubles away
Anyone who knows me knows that I like to laugh. I have found that laughter even in the face of adversity genuinely makes you feel lighter and a little more care free. I honestly laugh with my staff every day. Even if the day has been difficult, there is always something to be grateful for.
So how can a positive culture be sustained from leaders? • A leader’s office door should always be open, unless you are in a confidential meeting or call • Share wellbeing wins with your team to help with work / life balance • Leave early on a Friday. This shows colleagues that it is acceptable to prioritise you and your family now and again! • Smile. Laugh. Speak. Form positive relationships and ask how people are. Genuinely mean this! • I have said this before, but you should never apologise for having high standards • Through coaching and experience I have also learned that the way you convey a message and the tone of this are crucial. This awareness is so important. • I believe that the above help to contribute to a collaborative culture and ethos. The fast-paced nature of the job can lead to feelings of chaos, but effective communication is vital and helps create clarity. We have the best job in the world. Have gratitude but also don’t be afraid to show your pupils and colleagues that you are human too. We may be the pillars, but we also need great foundations ourselves.
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