Aluna
Behaviour
Consultancy
Newsletter Number 19,
October 2023
In learning you will teach and in teaching you will learn
I've always thought that the significance of song lyrics are under-rated. Although the majority speak of lost or unrequited love, they flow from the artiste's heart. Phil Collins' song Son of Man is used in the 1999 animated film Tarzan. The song accompanies a montage in which Tarzan learns how to hone his skills through training and experience from his fellow jungle inhabitants. As Tarzan progresses from childhood to adulthood he embraces the learning that is necessary for survival and gains access to the freedom that his environment has to offer.
As educators we often consider our roles to be the provider of knowledge. However, we are simply the facilitators of learning for young people and, indeed, ourselves. Ideally I would be a perpetual student; I have so much enthusiasm for learning. Like children and young people, if we are receptive to learning we make an emotional investment and an active contribution to the process. That doesn't mean being the one in training sessions always making a point or sharing their interest. It means being willing to change the way we carry out our professional roles, based on new knowledge, perceptions and experience. I have, several times, quoted Maya Angelou who said: "I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better." This is precisely the gift that learning awards us.
Since about three months before launching my business until this very day I've participated in:
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102 sessions of CPD
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40 Mentoring sessions
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120 networking & marketing events
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19 community events
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42 webinars
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17 appeals panels
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28 workshops
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32 Community Ambassador opportunities
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31 voluntary sessions
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14 school visits
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7 events involving research
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Individual sessions for 3 adult clients
Whilst I haven't achieved perpetual student status, my enjoyment for delivering training has increased tenfold. In addition to the 360-ish courses I've delivered; including 16 training courses and 18 workshops of my own, I am now a freelance trainer for The Training Hub.
They both provide training for a large number of organisations in child wellbeing and education, so it's great to be able to share the wide range of experiences I've had during a 36 year career supporting children and young people.
I'm thrilled to be working alongside a range of educational settings from primary schools to universities, professionals and carers in children's social care and with community-based organisations. My many networking commitments and fabulous contacts have led to word-of-mouth referrals and recognition of the expertise I have within my field.
The good fortune I've had to share my learning along the way with others; likewise to glean the valuable experiences that others share with me is truly humbling. So my catalogue of specialist subjects continues to grow, as do the array of participants I meet professionally as well as geographically.
Should you want to discuss how I can help with your training needs see the range I offer here:
Book a free 30-minute mini-consultation here:
To quote the great Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
The power of learning is, indeed, a great thing. When I first sponsored a 15 year-old boy to go to school in Ghana, little did I know that he'd be inspired by my experiences as teacher. It's an honour to have this young man in my life.
As we know, Aristotle was also extremely wise when he said: “For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” So if he and Phil Collins had met, who knows what amazing golden nuggets they'd have created together!! 😆