Balance

I have a hard time maintaining balance in my life.  Work can easily take over, and time for me is moved to the back burner.  One of my goals this year has been to be more intentional about maintaining a better balance.  I decided to map out some of my goals this year and put them on my wall – a balancing act between work and life.  That way, as I approach my tasks each day – I can reflect on how well they fit into the goals I have set for myself and where my priorities should be.  It also reminds me of the things I haven’t yet tackled.  Let me share some things I would like to put on the “front burner” this coming year:

I am looking forward to tackling some books – I have a list of ones I hope to get through this year… “professional development” books include Drama of Scripture by Goheen and Bartholomew, Advancing Differentiation by Richard Cash, and Beyond Control by Al Bandstra.  I have also been going through some of the CBC Canada Reads selections for this year.  I love being able to connect with Canadian thought and culture.  Story and its importance are something I talk about in my work, but also something I love to delve into for pleasure as well. 

Self – care is also part of my plan!  I have added exercise to my life – working towards jogging 5km!  I have succeeded in making it to 3.  I have found that exercise give me more energy, even though it takes a lot of work to get out there in the morning.  I enjoy setting goals and gradually working towards them.  I miss playing volleyball though, and hope I will be able to find a group to play with here in Abuja.

Jabi Lake - a beautiful park to jog in the morning

I enjoy learning.  I wonder if I should learn a new skill this year too…Indian dance?  Cooking class?  Photography?  Let’s see what the year holds. 

Some things have suffered.  I usually spend a lot of time “getting organized” and writing “to-do” lists.  Which I am still doing – but have tried to lower that as a priority.  As a result my side desk is a disaster!  It makes it hard to work some days.  So as I type this I have turned my back to the piles in order to concentrate J

Will you join me in praying for balance in my life?

#GTTP2015

In February I was able to participate in a program that is becoming one of my favourite parts of my job: walking with teachers in the Graduate Teacher Training Program (#GTTP2015)! 

GTTP Class of 2015

Finding a job is hard work in Nigeria.  So much depends on who you know rather than what you know.

Finding good employees is equally hard work.  Applicants often do not have the skills employers are looking for.

Meadow Hall is a school in Lekki, an area within  Lagos, that is seeking to bridge this gap.  In 2013, they started a program for teachers who are young graduates.  These applicants either have teaching degrees or are passionate about education and planning to get their post-graduate diplomas in education. They participate in a 3 month program that seeks to upgrade their skills to make them more “marketable” to other schools and seeks to bridge the gap between what is being offered in teacher education programs and what schools are looking for.  This training program covers topics like school culture, writing lesson notes, communication skills, classroom management and 21^st century learning practices.  Speakers are recruited from nearby universities, education consultants, and staff within the school.

Since this project began, I have had the privilege to lead trainings each year. Two years ago I met Daniel, a graduate trainee and colleague (put blog link) through this program.  Last year I was in Canada, I wasn’t able to participate at the program in person – but I was able to present a lecture over skype.  This year, I was encouraged and challenged in my vocation as an education consultant for West Africa.  Let me share with you how.

Over three days, we covered a variety of topics germane to education challenges in Nigeria; classroom management and discipline, 21^st century learning, and classroom instruction and delivery. Our days were packed with icebreakers and starters, with active learning strategies and action plans.  The group was engaged.  They were open to new ideas and reflecting on how they can put these practices to use in a traditional Nigerian classroom setting.  They had many questions.  From small group discussion to dramas and tweets, I loved every minute of it.  These teachers were learning and growing.

One thing that is refreshing about these young graduates is their openness to trying new things, something that is more difficult for experienced teachers to branch into.  And it has been fantastic to see the results.

Chika – graduate of the program two years ago – called me last week to say, “Miss Sheila, I have been using the active learning strategies you taught us in my classroom.  The administration wants to know where I learned them so all the teachers can benefit.  Will you come to our school?”

Daniel – graduate of the program two years ago – was hired on by Meadow Hall.  He had expressed concern then about teaching younger students.  “Miss Sheila, how will I engage them?”  He came beaming last month to report how much he loves his job – and that the young students are now his favourite!  He is also preparing to lead a training program outside of Meadow Hall for the first time!

I am dreaming about how this program can be adopted by other schools to bridge the gaps in Christian Education in West Africa. I have been talking about it with every school I can think of that might have the capacity to do so.  What a great way to transform teachers…and a nation!  This vision is both challenging and encouraging for me. Please join me in praying for Meadow Hall and other schools that would take on such a program.

Please join me in praying for young graduate teachers – for meaningful jobs and the zeal and ability to bring about change in lives of students across this nation.