New beginnings

I have been flying beneath the radar for some time now.  I have kept away from social media out of a sense of not exactly hiding, but not showing up either.  I am at a point in my professional life where I could stop work.  I could devote my time to recreational pursuits, volunteering or long walks on the coastal path.  I could learn to play the piano, dance the Balboa, go wild swimming.

But I enjoy my professional work!  I love having those conversations which are deeply personal, rich with learning for all concerned and endlessly fascinating.  I gain great satisfaction from seeing my learners have their light bulb moments, seeing how they break through barriers which have kept them stuck for years.  The connection that we create which requires honesty, effort and an ability to face up to difficult issues.  I simply do not feel ready to give all that up - I gain too much from it professionally and personally.

So, what next then?  I have been thinking about this for months.  I am finally casting my net wider, breaking free from a couple of institutions which dictated sometimes arbitrary rules and regulations.  Don't get me wrong - I am not going all maverick, kicking over the traces of ethical professionalism and being outrageous (but sometimes I think ..... what fun!!).  I have simply stopped supporting the exam process.  I have been a TA supervisor, examiner and observer for decades and now I am working in a freer way - teaching the TA theories (because TA is powerful in bringing about positive change) but not getting tangled up in the bureaucracy.

I am offering a one-to-one service, a mentoring partnership where I hope to continue to create with my learner an atmosphere where they can find support, challenge, information, trust, and learning.  I am available for supervision and coaching as always, adding mentoring, and my teaching will now be one-to-one tutorials working to the learner's objectives.

An on-going relationship, supporting you to grow and make progress in your plan for life.

Now, I won't be going wild-swimming or learning to play the piano.  But long walks, dancing the Balboa, some volunteering will easily fit into my new plan for life.  

​How about you? How is your plan working out?