ACEL Queensland’s ‘Time for Reflection’ is an initiative of the ACELQ Branch Executive members. From time to time, we send through an original reflective piece – something that has prompted our thinking, inspired us, or given us cause for deeper reflection. The aim is to provide our members with something to read as their own ‘time for reflection.’
The following reflection is from Tameika Grist, ACELQ Executive member and Principal, St Mary’s College, Maryborough.
Sometimes, opportunities come up out of nowhere and before you know it, you’ve gone and said ‘yes’ to something, because ‘it scares you’. At least that is how I felt about being invited to be a part of the ABC Education Q and A Special.
Annabel Astbury from the ABC Education arm approached me firstly as someone who might have a comment or question for the show. I think I may have not even thought too deeply about the first email as it got snowed under the weight of the day-to-day inbox full of the ‘urgent’. Possibly even discarding it as ‘not for me’.
After a Zoom meeting to discuss what they were asking, and apart from the obvious ‘why me’ – I was assured the show was looking to collect different voices from education around Australia, the conversation ended up inviting me to be on the panel of ‘ordinary educators’ from different sectors and backgrounds.
Of course, such a panel is going to be criticised because there are not representatives from ‘this’ sector, or ‘that’ background. However, I believe to draw five educators together all with their own unique background and experiences, living out small parts of Australia’s education scene in vastly different ways, was a brave idea and one where conversation was stimulated and possible, and the range of our backgrounds diverse enough to converse from differing perspectives and experiences.
Apart from the general stage fright, and not really knowing how the questions were going to land or how others would respond, there was a broad brief about this not going to be a political or aggressive style of interviewing. But rather with Geraldine Doogue’s talented guidance the intention would be to have a conversation about some of the current issues in education concerning teachers and educators.
We filmed in front of a live studio audience in Melbourne made up almost entirely of educators on the first day of the Victorian school holidays – testament to the interest and passion educators have for their roles, and for their commitment to furthering conversations around a variety of topics. The edited version kept the conversation tight and only a bit of repetition from the conversation was cut from what I recall.
Although I headed into this with nerves, it was also excitement; and the chance to learn by doing something new, taking me out of my comfort zone. I would say it has been one of the highlights of the year for me. It reignited that passion for improving education beyond my own walls, and to keep being a part of the conversation; to dialogue and share across a broad network of educators improving education for all.
As a Principal I want my teachers to care for all the students in our school across grades and classes. We know that when teachers care as much about the students in the other class succeeding, as they do about their own, then improvement for all starts to happen through collaborative work, sharing, and so on. As leaders then, we need to be concerned about the students in other regions and schools as much as our own and continue to dialogue across issues and concerns beyond our natural boundaries of the school gates or sectorial or State dimensions.
ACEL is a wonderful organisation supporting this in my own educational journey. I am very humbled to be able to meet with other ACEL members regularly through the Executive and of course involvement in courses and conferences when possible. The resources, conversations, stories and studies are a source of encouragement and richness, inspiring me to stay connected, look for better pathways together and to be a part of the broader conversations discussing and improving learning for all.
Tameika Grist
ACEL QLD Branch Executive Member