A couple of weeks ago, I wrote the first entry of a ‘two part’ post about a great weekend of CPD activities and I’ve finally managed to get around to writing part two (how time flies!).
The second CPD opportunity came about after I read that the Association of Chartered Teachers Scotland (ACTS) were having a buffet lunch in Aberdeen. I took advantage of some bargain rail fares and an even better accommodation bargain and set off early on the Friday afternoon (JV had left in the morning to do some sightseeing). Although I’m a member of ACTS, I’m not on the committee, but everyone who attended the lunch was invited to stay on for the open meeting. The committee members are to be commended for the hard work they do to help the association thrive. Dorothy and David - and a whole host of others regularly give up their free time to attend these meetings so that the ACTS vision can be realised.
I’ve copied the Vision and Aims statement from the ACTS blog:
VISION
To facilitate and encourage communication and collaboration within a community of Chartered Teachers
AIMS
· To support the community of Chartered Teachers in all its forms
· to encourage communication and collaboration between Chartered Teachers
· to encourage the provision of appropriate level CPD opportunities for Chartered Teachers
· to develop awareness of the professional identity of Chartered Teachers
· to make representation on issues affecting those in the Association of Chartered Teachers.
I’m proud of my Chartered Teacher status, and I explained my reason for embarking on the C T journey in a previous post. But what can I do, as a fully qualified Chartered Teacher to realise these aims? Well – a few of us CTs in Falkirk got together and we’ve come up with some ideas:
This CPD oppportunity is being organised/run by a few of us who have achieved the status.
We’re all going to tell of our experiences since gaining full Chartered Teacher status - and all have very different stories to tell! It won’t be a passive experience for those attending, though, and we’ve planned to make the event as collaborative as possible in the short time available.
- A CPD Session for those thinking about embarking on the Chartered Teacher Journey
This CPD opportunity is for those teachers who are contemplating the journey.
Again, all the presenters have very individual stories to tell. I think that’s the message we want to give – it’s a very personal journey and there’s no ‘one size fits all’ element – so lots of discussion during that event as well 
- An Opportunity to Attend a TeachMeet Event
Beginning on Monday 27th September, Falkirk is holding a week long ‘Learning to Achieve’ festival.
Various events will be held all over the Falkirk area to celebrate learning and Teaching, and on the Thursday of that week there will be a TeachMeet in Carronshore primary School from 4-6pm. The group of Chartered teachers who organised the above CPD activities thought it would be a great idea to hold a Chartered TeachMeet in the same venue between 6.30 and 8pm. I should add that the requests to hold both the TeachMeets came from Falkirk staff who have never actually attended one, but had heard of the concept through the grapevine and thought it sounded like a great idea.
David Noble has agreed to chair the event, and Dorothy Coe has already signed up to give a 7 minute presentation (I’ll add my name soon – and will try my best to persuade some others here to do the same!)
- Finally…….
Writing this blog post has helped me realise that I’m going to be busy when I return to class teaching in August!
