For International Women’s Day the team at TrilbyTV are celebrating the inspirational ways women in education and technology are making an impact in the industry. Exploring how they got into their chosen field and the innovative ways they have made a difference.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is Embrace Equity. By embracing our skills, successes and power we can make a difference to the ways future generations will learn and grow. We are also celebrating innovation, the incorporation of technology and how we are striving everyday towards gender equality.
International Women’s Day Spotlights
We wanted to give a spotlight to a few of our customers and delve deeper into their career journeys whilst highlighting the fantastic work they have achieved. We recently caught up with Kim Phillips, Assistant Headteacher at Heltwate School in Peterborough to find out how she began her career,
“I began my career by accident! I was studying for a degree in Graphic Design and worked as a carer for deafblind adults during the evenings and weekends, (to fund the usual student lifestyle)! However, once I began working as a carer, I realised that my career path lay outside of Graphic Design, as I loved supporting individuals with SEND! I finished my degree, then completed a PGCE in Primary Education so that I was qualified to teach in a SEND School. I was so happy to be offered my first teaching post that I burst into tears and did a dance around the Head Teacher’s office, (something I am still reminded of to this day)!”
“I was able to utilise my ICT background by leading the subject area of Computing for the school and then later progressed to my current role of Assistant Head. Teaching is still the best part of the job, (especially when I get to geek out on new technology resources with the kids!), but being in a leadership role means I am able to shape the development of our provision, ensuring our young people are receiving the very best care and education possible. They are an amazing bunch of young people to work with and I truly believe I have the best job in the world. It is a privilege to do the job I do.”
We also caught up with Alex Buck, Marketing and Communications Officer at Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust in the West Midlands to hear about her education and technology journey,
“I have always worked in education and have experienced various positions in the industry. My journey to becoming a Marketing and Communications Officer for a Multi-Academy Trust has not been a linear one but believe that this has proven to be an advantage. It has provided me with diverse insights and skill sets required for this role and is what has made my career journey so interesting. From working in educational libraries, supporting students with SEND, administration and writing about the higher education sector as part of an internship. These have prepared me well for my current role. One of the things I love most about my job is the opportunity to utilise and develop my creativity, which is a key aspect of my role as a marketer and communicator. Also being able to stretch and challenge my ideas and skillset is incredibly motivating.”
“In addition, building relationships with students, families and the community is a rewarding part of my job and being able to engage with a wide range of people to help promote a sense of community and unique voice across all our schools is very fulfilling. Working with a great team is also a significant factor for me. Being able to collaborate, share ideas and learn from my colleagues’ experiences has provided a valuable opportunity to constantly improve my work and widen my horizons. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with some amazing people in this industry and to see the positive impact our work has as a collective across the Trust. Especially when it comes to celebrating our students’ successes and achievements.”
“Overall, I truly love the dynamic nature of my job and the variety of opportunities it presents for personal and professional growth. My experiences have given me a deeper, more meaningful understanding and appreciation of what it takes to deliver effective marketing and communications for education. It has also allowed me to develop my strengths and talents in ways that I didn’t think were possible before. I am so excited to continue learning and growing in this field and see where this journey will take me in the future. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I feel so proud to be contributing to the fields of education and technology.”
We also spoke to Moira Cross, Executive Headteacher at Dordon and Wood End Primary Schools to hear about her story and find out how much education and technology has developed over the years,
“I have been a teacher for 24 years now after vowing at 15 that I would not follow in the family tradition and become one! I am a third-generation teacher, and my niece has continued the pattern. I was adamant I would be different but the pull to work with children was overwhelming and I discovered, I was good at it too, which helped. I was driven to progress in my career and was adamant that I would be a career Deputy Head- like my dad, but fate had other plans for me.”
Five considerations for digital signage
Download free PDF“For me, teaching is the best job in the world. Now I am a headteacher of two schools, I do far less teaching than I would like, but when I do get the opportunity to be back in the classroom, I still get that buzz of excitement. I also take the time to visit classrooms every day to remind myself of the core purpose of my job – the children. They are the absolute highlight of every day. There are very few jobs where your day is so varied, and you can see so clearly the impact you make on the lives of others. I love the unpredictability of the job and thrive on the daily challenges – of which there are significantly more in these changing times.”
“I started my career as an NQT at a school in Birmingham City Centre where I had a blackboard, photocopying was restricted and Google was unheard of. Over my career, I have had to adapt and change to an increasingly technological world. I am not the most tech-savvy person, but technology has made my job across two schools so much easier. Many of our school systems are now cloud rather than paper-based, so I can access them from whichever school I am working in. Prior to this, my folders were always in the wrong school when I needed them most. I am sure education will continue to evolve and change. Who knows what it will look like in another 20 years time but at the heart of it will be teachers making a difference for the next generation.”
It’s great to hear the different career developments of our International Women’s day spotlights, how they progressed to where they are and how rewarding their job is. We have loved highlighting the amazing stories of some of our customers and are excited to continue this journey of celebrating all the inspirational experiences you have to share!