On top of all the teaching and preparation, ambitious teachers have to also think about getting ahead in their careers. Keri Reid, principal teacher at Muthill Primary School in Scotland, explains how partnering with Juliet Johnston school in Ghana has helped.
Internationalising your school might launch your career
Working with the Juliet Johnston school in Ghana since 2007 has shaped me as a person, teacher, and leader. I've gained experience and have become more confident, a better leader and communicator. How?
First, I've led an international programme for our whole school and spoken to teachers, parents, community groups, student teachers, and the Scottish government to get them excited about making our curriculum more international.
Then, visiting a school in another country, you're able to observe the similarities and differences between your teaching methods and those of your colleagues. With access to limited resources and without the aid of technology, you are forced to reflect on teaching techniques. For example, teaching in Ghana brought music back to my own classroom, something I had forgotten about under the pressure of an ever-growing Scottish curriculum.
Over the years, we have discussed (and at times debated) discipline, language learning and the need to support teachers. The Ghanaian teachers have adapted and integrated some Scottish approaches, such as designing a Ghanaian version of a child-centred literacy teaching approach; banning the cane; and creating their own positive behaviour policy. Their teachers' ability to evaluate, challenge and alter traditional Ghanaian teaching methods has been recognised, and they have been invited to share their thinking with other schools in Ghana.
You can improve your CV by taking a course or workshop
As part of the Connecting Classrooms programme, which is responsible for my contact with Juliet Johnston school, you can become an international schools co-ordinator. It is quite a grand title but not as scary as it sounds; the most important features you need are flexibility and a good sense of humour.
Co-ordinating a school partnership allows you to take on a leadership role within your school. You get access to continuing professional development, online training modules, and various informal workshops that you can go to, which are held across the country.
The best part of going to a workshop is meeting with colleagues and hearing about what other schools are doing. It's really helpful to network with other schools, both in and beyond the UK. You meet like-minded colleagues who share ideas and a passion for showing children the world beyond their own communities. The online courses are good, because I can access them at times that suit family life, and they are designed to be practical.