07 Jul 2023
This is the time of year when many of us come together at the NAEO Summer Conference. It is a chance to connect with others in our field, to share, to learn and to pause for a while after all our recent efforts. Will you be there?
Not being a hugely sociable individual, there have been times when I have felt Conferences were not for me – especially as I go there alone, without the support of a friendly colleague. It can seem too much effort to make the trip, mingle with others and attend workshops when I feel already out of my comfort zone. Perhaps you feel the same.
But in the last 5-10 years I have changed my mind and find these events are important. They remind us we are not alone in our concerns and struggles, and it gives us the chance to talk to and listen to others who appreciate the challenges we work with.
In the last few years, The Exams Office has done much to raise the profile of Exam Officers and changes are coming. We can expect to be respected more. And that has to be good for our Profession and for our self-esteem. Because we ARE in a profession, and we should be acknowledged for all that we do.
The fact that you are a member of this new Association (The NAEO,) shows that your employers have listened (however partially) to your request for support. By attending, you are showing your own desire to learn from others and to be around those whose experience may help you with your own.
Perhaps some of the workshops may not ‘be for you. But I believe, just taking away one nugget from Conference can change and improve my mindset, leaving me more motivated and connected to what I do, and committed to working on my own approach to those I work with and work for.
By now you will already have decided which Presentations you feel you may ‘get’ something from.
Let us hear it for the Presenters, new and experienced, who are willing to share their take on their subject to benefit us all. Presenting myself, I know it takes no small effort to put an engaging workshop together. Especially when presenting is not my main activity at HMP. Like you, I beaver away with registrations, exam administration, claiming certificates, talking to prisoners.
There are so many skills and attributes that we need to demonstrate. And Juggy and his Team are making big strides in bringing these to the attention of the decision makers.
So, this Conference time, whether you attend in person, or not, let us send our appreciation to all those who work on our behalf – centre stage, and behind the scenes.
Conference is a CPD opportunity, and we would miss a trick if we did not recognise the service of others in our own NAEO development.
But CPD is an ongoing process. Continuing Personal Development is just that – it continues throughout our working life.
Your annual appraisal should not just be a one and done affair that is best got out of the way. It should be a working interaction between you and your employer where you continually bring new suggestions and ideas to their door to help you develop your own working practice and personal skills.
I will be honest – some of my appraisals have been less than uplifting and I have felt I have been the one leading the conversation (especially when new and inexperienced Managers have been in charge of the process)!
But there are so many ways we can develop our own practice.
Perhaps we can suggest some of the following to those responsible for our CPD:
- inviting visiting speakers to share their experience with a group of colleagues
- attending an outside workshop on a topic of value and interest
- signing up for an online course that will increase our expertise
- arranging a talk for our students that we feel will benefit them
So as the academic year comes to an end and a break is ahead, spend a moment reflecting on your own CPD and what you might do to further your own understanding.
You may pick up a book, read a magazine, seek out a course, or reach for a more substantial personal goal.
Whatever it is, YOUR development is key to keeping on top of change, wherever it comes from.
And if I do see you at Conference, come and say hello, or let others know if my own workshops have been of value. This time I’m talking about Building Resilience – and one of my CPD takeaways is that ‘By Doing Less we can BE more’.
Love and light
Geraldine
Have your say in our Mindfulness Survey at https://www.geraldinejozefiak.com/naeo-survey
Sign up for details of Developing the Exam Mindset – a Mindfulness course for schools to support their Exam Students – coming out Autumn 2023
https://www.geraldinejozefiak.com/exammindset2023launch
Get your ‘I’m on a CPD break’ poster download at: https://www.geraldinejozefiak.com/CPDbreak