The Disabled Teachers Conference & becoming the ‘Veep’

Its been a busy few months with many separate pressures and demands fighting for priority, the summer term for teachers can be extremely stressful leading up to exam season, with the seemingly never ending exam timetable ruling the ebb & flow of school life As such as with most people something has to give and sadly for a short period it has been this blog – however never fear, I am once again back on my blogging horse!

All my Year 11 students have now been coaxed, supported, cajoled and generally shoe horned into the exam halls, never easy when a heat-wave hits the country!

‘Larry The Cat’ the Nations greatest political commentator summed it up best by tweeting his updated status during this heat wave see below!

(I urge you if you have the chance to check his twitter page out, it succinctly summarizes the political position of the day.)

twitter.com/Number10cat

As for me I have been busy………….there has been our National Conference, a trip to America through the English Speaking Union & NASUWT Scholarship program and my attendance at various special interest conferences, and finally not forgetting my elevation to Vice President for Telford & Wrekin and election to the Disabled Teachers Advisory Committee.

Naturally too many issues to cover in one blog, as such National Conference & my American adventures will follow in separate posts, this blog will focus on the recent Disabled Teachers Conference and local issues in Telford & Wrekin culminating in my nomination and selection as the Divisions Vice President.

So where to begin, well once again with my on-going involvement with the Disabled Teachers I attended the Disabled Teachers consultation conference at the Hilton NEC Birmingham on the 23rd June which is a lovely hotel right in the heart of the West Midlands.

I however attended this conference in a slightly different capacity as earlier in the year I was nominated and elected onto the ‘Disabled Teachers Advisory committee’.

The DTAC is the conduit for members to raise concerns, queries, issues etc. with and in turn we liaise with the National Executive, leading up to the conference I was in contact with the other members of the DTAC and with the Training & Events team at NASUWT planning and supporting the running of this event.

The Friday evening was given over to people networking and catching up with colleagues from their respective geographical locations, always a key aspect in my opinion, followed by a drinks and evening meal with the guest speaker Janine Booth once again entertaining the room with her witty biting poetry on social issues.

http://janinebooth.com/

The following morning post breakfast delegates were straight into their first workshop with a range to choose from, this is another key aspect our Union offer, free CPD for members on key topical and relevant issues including:

1. Your rights and responsibilities as a disabled teacher
2. Mental Health First Aid – MHFA
3. Serious about SEND?
4. Disability Hate Crime including online abuse.
5. The TUC Social Model of disability

Following the first workshop & coffee break Chris Keates gave her keynote speech on the educational landscape and impact of the recent General Election, this was an interesting commentary on how public sector workers are being squeezed harder than other segments of society and the impact is an ever worsening recruitment crisis.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-35265048

Following on from the General Sec. keynote speech, Jennifer Moses the Unions Equality Officer completed a live question & answer session with delegates looking at real time issues. This is always a vibrant and enjoyable session in the conference structure.

The afternoon was given over to further CPD workshop opportunities with the morning sessions repeated in the afternoon.

Upon reflection supporting members and helping facilitate the event was an immensely rewarding opportunity and one I hope to repeat in the coming year.

Becoming the ‘Veep’

Earlier this year, during April at our AGM our division once again selected both its President, Vice President & committee members for the year forthcoming, following on from my work internationally including work in Hungary, Belgium & America I was nominated and elected as Vice President for my region, the normal term is for one year with the following year moving to President, I consider this a huge honour

and one I am looking forward to fulfilling over the coming year.

All that’s left to say is please revisit this blog for reports on my American visit and National Conference report and I leave you with a classic summer tune…

Summer Breeze – Enjoy the Summer!