When I first started my English Language and Literature degree, I was convinced that I would go on to teach in a secondary school. However, after getting a job in my college library (and absolutely loving it!) I chose librarianship over teaching, and lived happily in library-land for 18 years. Libraries offer so much more than books, and I really enjoyed helping people find the information they needed, learn new skills, and discover new things about the world and themselves.
However, I found myself becoming increasingly frustrated with the continuous cuts to library funding, and having to withdraw library services from the communities who needed them the most. I was spending more time in service review meetings, and less time developing, delivering and promoting the service I loved. I felt stifled, and started to question what I could continue to offer the library service now that the passion I once had for my role had gone. When the opportunity arose to apply for voluntary severance at the beginning of 2017, I decided to leave libraries and take some time out of the workplace to refocus my mind.
I had originally planned to take a year long career break, but I stumbled across a job advert for Learning Coach at XP School. At that stage, I hadn’t even heard of XP, but once I started exploring the website and watching the videos of staff, parents and students talking about their experiences of the school, I knew I wanted to be a part of this amazing place. The enthusiasm and sincerity with which they spoke about XP totally hooked me. This was the type of school I would’ve wanted to teach in had I not had my head turned by libraries, and – more importantly – they type of school I would’ve wanted my own two boys to go to had it been around when they were heading off to secondary school.
So, I applied for the job and was delighted to be offered the position. I was even more delighted to be assigned to XP East and have the opportunity to be involved with the school growth right from the start. I feel very privileged to be part of XP East and can’t wait to work with my colleagues, with our students and with their parents. I’m also looking forward to developing my own skills and learning more from all the inspirational people I’m surrounded by. We really are part of something amazing!
The culminating event to our staff induction is an Educator-Led Conference, where staff prepare speeches, critiqued by their peers, which answer the guiding questions:
“How have my ideas about teaching and learning changed during this induction process and have I changed as a person during this induction process?”
Below is Mrs Parker’s speech: