GTE Conference 2021 - Day 1

Congratulations to all the GTE Organising committee, with the support of Harriet at the GA, for the excellent programme that was assembled for the Geography Teacher Educators' Conference and for the two days I enjoyed last weekend. Rather than being in Dublin, I was confined to my normal bedroom pew with the pebbles as my background. 

We were joined by a lot of delegates for whom this was their first GTE. 

A few personal highlights from a packed programme on the first day:

- Anthony Barlow's session on 'Messy Maps', which was followed up by Paula Owens, Stephen Scoffham and Peter Vujakovic on 'Meaningful Maps'

- a contribution from Susan Caldis from Australia on voices of the lockdown in Sydney

- Ruth Till on how secondary geography teachers' identity is created

- a keynote by Margaret Byron exploring how we can empower all students to contribute their stories to the discipline - this was part of an ongoing narrative to inform the work that is being done at the GA to encourage greater diversity and representation

- an evening celebration of the work and influence of Margaret Roberts MBE

There were discussions around several projects I am involved in, or have been involved in, including GI Pedagogy, and the 3rd phase of the GeoCapabilities project. Thanks to all the presenters, and to those who shared their stories and questions in the discussions that took place.

My first GTE was in 2009, when I presented on some of the work we were doing with the GA to support teacher networks, and encourage early career teachers and NQTs to engage with the subject's community of practice. There was also a memorable event at a snowy Madingley, where Rex Walford talked us through his memories of Haggett and Chorley's lectures, and a good talk from a female Lifeboat cox when we were hosted by a hotel in Hull close to the Humber Bridge.

Details, and resources from previous conferences can be found on this link.

More on the 2nd day in a future post...

Image: from an earlier GTE Conference I attended in 2011/2 in Derbyshire, where John Lyon and I shared results from the Action Plan for Geography, CC license: Alan Parkinson

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