How have you used something that you learned during your MEL studies in practice?
How all aspects of a well-functioning school body relies on all aspects and fundamentally the culture is set from the top. How each day is a case-study and I consider my actions, words and e-mail replies towards the bigger picture of leadership in my section of the school. I consider my role much more in daily interactions, informal conversations over lunch, official meetings and advocating for the staff with the school leadership. I have learnt to see conflict as a chance for conversation to understand. I see my role as a leader as the guy who needs to have a framework to decide what we do with new initiatives rather than just jump in. I have learnt how I need to create a framework for success within our institution that allows for individual creativity and flair but also ensure a standard minimum that our learners can expect.
How have you grown personally since enrolling within the MEL programme?
Where to start!? This was a wonderful opportunity for my growth as a professional and a learner. This gave me a critical look at my own teaching practice and how my learners engaged with the material and changed many aspects of my teaching practice. This course gave me many of the relevant skills to combine my love of teaching and learning with leading it. I have grown in my sense of empathy and consider much more how others might perceive it. I have calmed down during times of conflict over change at my school and see this uncomfortable time as a requirement for us to come together and grow as a group. I allow people time for these frustrations as part of the process, I consider my own use of language in a diverse group of nationalities, I remain focused on the overall goal but am much more ready to go the direction that the individuals wish to travel to get there. This has been my main area for growth and remains it but I am on my way!