Jackie’s blog

Just heard that I was successful in my application to become a Learning Fellow of the University (see previous posts). Yippee! Am really chuffed because you can only have a Fellowship if you can prove you are an excellent teacher. So now it’s official - I am an excellent teacher. Cripes, sounds really big headed, me thinks I need to get over myself! Anyway, now I have to make a positive contribution to professional development within the University by delivering my project before April 2010. I am going to be producing e-learning materials using the Articulate Pro Presenter software. It is not a huge project but as I only work here one day a week it can’t afford to be. It is really exciting and I have to admit to feeling really chuffed about it. So, will keep you posted …

Well, I did my best at my interview but I had forgotten how quickly the time flies by. I felt like I had said almost nothing. I also made a bit of a boo-boo in the first few minutes by being a bit too relaxed (though I had been told the interview was informal). So not sure how it went. It was really good though to go through this process again because it really does remind me what the whole experience is like. So keeping my fingers crossed - I can honestly say I have no idea whether I got one or not. We’ll see.

I have an interview tomorrow for a Learning Fellowship at the university where I work. It’s funny really but you would think that someone who does the sort of work I do would sail through interviews without a single twitch or moment of blankness. Not so. As I prepare for it today I can feel my nerves jangling already. It’s a nice feeling though. Why? Well because I happen to think it is really important to ‘walk the walk’ when you ‘talk the talk’. What do I mean? Well how many people are out their giving talks on how to ace interviews when they haven’t had one in ages. It’s only by doing these things yourself that you get reminded of exactly how it feels to have to sell yourself to a panel of strangers.

One of the things I am going to be asked about (they sent an outline of what is being covered) is what in particular is special about my approach to teaching. One thing I am planning on saying is that as a teacher I have a real empathy for my students and what they are up against when trying to sort out their careers. That is no hollow claim actually. I have spent the last year refocusing my own career and making changes to downsize, learn new stuff and expand into new roles. I have always been very hands on about my own career path. It is all very challenging and, do you know what - I love it. The feeling of being in control of your own career no matter how stormy the employment seas, is quite wonderful. It isn’t easy, I know, but I want my students to have that feeling - in fact I am passionate about my students having that feeling and I bring that to my teaching too. So back to the interview … have I done my preparation? Yes? Am I ready? As I’ll ever be. Will I get it? Yes!

Will keep you posted.