“….a generation infused with an attitude of ‘I can’, and not the attitude of ‘i want’ or ‘I hope’ that perhaps typified earlier generations.”

If this is the case many of the workplace issues that managers comment on regarding Generation Y and the challenges in managing them might make sense.  If “I can” and, just as importantly, “I will” is their way of thinking then why would they settle for what is already there if it doesn’t fit their aspirations?

Obviously I need to read some more. Will return to this when I have!

Some time ago I attended an awards event for young people with diabetes. They had been asked to share what living with diabetes meant for them and there was an excellent array of posters covering all age groups. The young people themselves were accompanied by their parents. The host – himself a parent of a child with diabetes ( as am I ) commented on the report on the news the previous day about a major breakthrough in research which would have implications for people living with the condition saying that each time he hears about advances in research he is filled with hope.

Hope – such a powerful word.

I was reminded of this story when I read this post by Don Ledingham.

We seem to be increasingly living in a world where there are demands for instant solutions to complicated issues but I live with hope that

• people like Don involved in the education of our young people get the opportunity to expand and develop the ways that that education is approached
• our communities find a way to listen to the young people who are at the heart of the solution to any problems they are seen to cause
• we value learning that does not happen in the formal education system
• we appreciate that living in a community where others are different from us makes us stronger not weaker
• as we get older we appreciate that we have a lot to give as well as a lot still to learn
• our oldest folks can be looked after in the best way possible as a recognition of what they have contributed to how we are today

And…as I write this the sun is streaming through my office window. I hope for more of this lovely Scottish spring weather to come.

And through that thinking process it occurs to me that I have had the opportunity to be in someone else’s world for a while and how interesting that has been.

Firstly  – geographically.

Until I went to Forthview I had never set foot in Pilton. I knew where it was ( roughly) but I knew nothing else first hand. I was aware from reading the local press that it is one of the poorer ( in wealth terms ) areas of the city. The school was built 4 years ago on the site of the old one. It is surrounded by a variety of quality of houses/flats.

When I told people that I was working in Pilton many made comments on how -  in their view – that would be tough.

OK – there are prettier places to drive into. But it is an area in which extended families have put down roots and stay so it sure has something going for it.

Then – socially.

I have had the privilege of meeting and working with some lovely children – and from time to time I got to meet their parents. The majority are doing their best to support their children in their education. For some their families have lived in the area for years, others settled there some time ago and the children are first generation Scots from immigrant families, others are brand new to Scotland and living in the area for the time being until they can make longer term plans. The children are in a bright and well kept building and are taught by staff who want nothing but the best for them.

And finally professionally

Although I have been working with teachers for some time it had not been as part of a school team. My role as Business Manager allowed me to spend time with everyone for one reason or another. I have an increased awareness of what goes into providing an education for children – in skills,talents, personalities, teams . And of course the extraordinary amount of paperwork attached. I have seen the challenges of timetabling and ensuring everything required is included and how getting time to chat to colleagues has to be limited to breaks -occasionally over coffee but often spent in preparation.

So my world has been expanded.

It would be doing the people I have met a great disservice if I did not mention the significant issues that affect people living with tough realities in the community there though. My awareness of the number of agencies that support children and their families has also been raised and that is encouraging.

This has been  – without question – one of the most rewarding periods of my life.

Over the past couple of days Robyn McMaster and I have been sharing ideas about the joy of work – and the joy of learning. I told Robyn about the pupils from the tuck shop at school and my attempt to teach them some basic accounting skills. In my view if they could understand that the supplies of fruit had to be paid for, that the tuck shop had to “break even” which meant that the right price had to be calculated to allow that to happen, that the takings needed to be counted and accounted for so that the next batch of supplies could be bought – they would have a skill in their toolkits which would stand them in good stead in so many situations in the future.

With the Head’s permission and after persuading the girls to give up a bit of their valuable lunch break we have started . Next session on Monday.

After sharing this story with Robyn she said

“I sense Jackie is fascinated by the discoveries she’s making as she reaches out beyond her job description to assist in student learning.”
Absolutely.

In my job description I manage the business of the school. It did not occur to me not to offer to share my accounting skills!

I learn far more from the young people at the school than they will ever learn from me – and in that I count myself fortunate to have been able to have this experience.

Yesterday it was our own school play and this year it took the form of the traditional Christmas Story. I had heard the songs drifting through the school over the past couple of weeks and here was my chance to see the dress rehearsal before the parents came to see the final show.

So, hanky at the ready, I filed in with the rest of the school to watch. The performance was by the 5 and 6 year olds so the fact that the narrators were word perfect – from memory – amazed me. The percussion accompaniment was brilliantly done. And the actors – well what can I say. I am not sure how much shows like XFactor have influenced their willingness to go for it but one of our inn-keepers certainly had his end of song flourish and bow down to a fine art.

The 3 Kings/ Wise Men had everyone laughing. They made their way to the stage in a regal way – and, just as they were about to do their thing the middle one sneezed loudly and all over the others. His crown fell off too and he spent some time after their dance and when they were in prime position behind Mary and Joseph trying to sort it. It was hard to concentrate on anything else!

The singing from the “choir” with related actions was exuberant but still managed to be tuneful. Nobody took stage fright and everyone finished in time with the conductor.

It was a triumph – and a joy.

Regardless of the discussions about political correctness this was the Christian story of the Christmas Festival – beautifully done by the little people to whom this time of year means so much.

And the tears I had were of laughter!

Once we knew what was going on he got support from school and I sat in with the home tutor for English we also engaged so that he and I could talk about his work until he got to exams. We know now that his specific difficulty is in processing what he has read and answering questions on or interpreting this. There will never be a prouder moment for me that when he got his results and he had got the grades which allowed him to go to University – something he had only recently started to consider.

He is in his final year now – reading ( yes reading) lots and writing his dissertation. This will be a huge challenge for him. he has received great support from the university. He is studying design and I understand that many design students have dyslexia.

Now I am aware that there is some dispute as to whether dyslexia actually exists. All I know is that once my son understood what made learning so difficult for him he was able to take action.

So when  Dave McQueen mentioned xtraordinary people and Kate Griggs I checked her out at the website.

Just out of curiosity I took the dyslexia test on the site – not because I have any difficulties which would lead me to believe that I had dyslexia – but to see what kind of questions were asked. Some are obvious I guess – eg do you have trouble telling right from left, do you avoid reading out loud. But others give an insight to how not being able ( or avoiding) doing some of the things that the majority of us take as everyday  actions could impact on life.

I am not a great fan of rolling out celebrity “sufferers” for any cause but in this case the range of people identified as living with dyslexia  is very interesting – and if that inspires someone like my son to maximise their potential then so much the better.

Something working at Forthview has taught me is that it  would appear to be pretty near impossible for a Business Manager to plan a day. I thought that it was maybe just me – taking my time to get to grips with things. But when I met some other Business Managers a couple of weeks ago I was comforted to find out that others have the same experience. Sure I have an idea of what I need to get through -but the priorities are dictated by what happens – whether it is arranging cover for a sick member of staff, or sorting something that has come up in the days I am not in school, or a crisis which has arised overnight ( and there have been others).

And I still don’t have the hang of how to get help from the support departments at the Council. I expect that will fall into place about a week before my contract is up.

One thing is for certain. I encourage others to be reflective practitioners. To think about their day/ experiences regularly and consider what was good, what was more tricky and what they will do differently next time. Doing this myself right now I have come to 2 conclusions

1  I am using a  load more skills than I gave myself credit for having before…

2  I have a load more to learn!

I was coming along the corridor today and saw a lady standing in front of me and realised that this was Fiona – the lady I am covering for while she is on maternity leave. I just knew it was her and I felt like I had known her for ages. Maybe it is because I sit in “her” space. I don’t know.

We had a cuppa and I cooed over her lovely baby ( that she came with the baby was probably another giveaway) and she told me her plans for coming back to work.

I feel like another important piece of my jigsaw round my involvement with the school has been put in place.

Now if I could only find a way to stop pushing bits of paper round my desk where I have still not worked out either the process – or the person who can help me with the process – I would be the happiest woman alive.  I met other Business Managers at an event last week and I was glad to hear that mine is a common experience. It is amazing how sharing that sort of information can lighten a load.

Still eating that elephant in wee chunks. Patience Jackie.

“Eighty-eight percent of voters say they believe that schools can and should incorporate 21st century skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills, computer and technology skills, and communication and self-direction skills into their curriculum.”

John wonders what conclusion a similar poll in the UK would come to. http://www.johnconnell.co.uk/blog/?p=555

In the past few years I have had several opportunties to work with young people in schools. I network widely – in person as well as online – and share stories of what I have been doing. I was surprised by the reaction of people when I mentioned that I was coaching high school pupils during business related projects like those of Space Unlimited  – http://www.spaceunlimited.org  which ranged from “I didn’t know that they did that sort of thing in schools – how interesting” – to  – ” Where do they get the money to do that?” – to – ” that’s ridiculous – they should be focusing on reading writing and maths”!

Hmmm.

I recall my own children – when they had to write a “personal statement” as part of their university applications -  had no problem counting the exam passes but we had to spend some considerable time teasing out what else they felt they had learned. I have done a similar exercise with several young people now and their end result always surprises – and delights them. There is something very powerful in seeing a page of positive ( and true) comments about you and your abilities – which you have generated yourself.

Employers continually report how hard it is to find young people who are work ready. Exam passes and further educational qualifications are still used as a starting point but can you distinguish between 3 graduates with a first – or school leavers with 3 Highers . Of course it has to be on what else they bring with them. Now wouldn’t it be great if the problem employers had was also that everybody had skills in all methods of communication , problem solving, self reflection, self managed learning, citizenship, collaboration, leading,  managing, organising…

Parents need to value these too though!