Reflecting on our Lead Like A Champion Workshop
February 7, 2023
Fulfilling my purpose as a teacher and a coach
March 23, 2023
“This is the first workshop where I didn’t want to leave!” says one participant. “I loved you last year and I love you this year still, Mrs V; I’m always excited to come to these workshops,” says another. Statements like this can be heard from many who attend Edufundi’s Lead Like a Champion workshops.
While much of our work takes place within schools, collaborative workshops are an integral part of the Edufundi Support Programme. They are an opportunity for participating schools to come together, reflect and learn from each other. They also serve as a platform for introducing the next phase of the programme and get everyone on board .
Even though these particular workshops are on a Saturday, which can be a challenge, participants show remarkable commitment. They see and feel the value and, more importantly, enjoy working with content they can use immediately. This is something very intentional on Edufundi’s part. In designing workshops it’s important that schools walk away with tools, processes and resources that can be put into practice right away - and that participants are inspired to do so.
“Every time I visit our provinces and deliver the next workshop, I am motivated and inspired by the progress schools have made, their dedication to the programme and their determination to implement the content. We learn together,” says Vuyo Vinqi, our Edufundi Programme Manager and the LLAC workshop facilitator.
Journeying Together
“It is also about the small things,” says one attendee; “even just the way you greet us makes me want to be here.” Mrs Vinqi explains that, by showing our deep respect for School Management Teams, ensures the same in return, and a commitment to journeying together.
The idea of ‘journeying together’ also applies to the provincial Departments of Education (DoE). Recognising the importance of fostering positive, supportive relationships, local DOE officials such as circuit managers and subject/curriculum advisers are also invited to attend the LLAC workshops - and the interest they show is encouraging. “When we come to these workshops it’s so that we can go back to the schools and remind them of the content and support they have,” says a Foundation Phase Subject Advisor in the Eastern Cape. Another DoE, Mrs Ndaba, in KZN attended our recent LLAC 3 workshop and had this to say: “‘I am learning here. I wish I could record Vuyo and take her to all my schools!”
Good presentations with high quality, accessible content delivered by an expert facilitator (who has herself been a principal), coupled with the follow-up support of the provincial teams, ensures that our workshops are well attended and enjoyed by everyone, and that leaders and educators are inspired to go back to their schools and implement their learnings and moving forward to achieve their visions.
