Top Panel To Debate Teacher Professionalism
1 July 2011
Professor Dennis Hayes, Director of the Centre for Educational Research at the University of Derby, has organised the SCETT debate.
We need to hear the teacher voice in the debate about what it means to be a professional in the current climate.
”Professor Dennis Hayes.
An intriguing panel of speakers with a national profile has been unveiled for a debate on teacher professionalism at the University of Derby next week.
SCETT - the Standing Committee for the Education and Training of Teachers - is Britain's leading charity for teacher education and training. It is hosting the free open panel debate at 4.30pm on Tuesday (July 5) in The Courtroom at the University of Derby's Kedleston Road site, in Derby.
Professor Dennis Hayes, Director of the Centre for Educational Research at the University of Derby, is also SCETT's Honorary Secretary and has lined up the panellists.
Speakers include:
- Professor Gary McCulloch (Institute of Education, University of London)
- Siôn Humphreys (Policy Advisor, NAHT; SCETT Chair)
- Toby Marshall (Curriculum Manager for Media, Film, Communications and Philosophy, Havering College of FHE; SCETT Officer)
- Rania Hafez (University of East London; Director of Muslim Women in Education and SCETT Vice Chair)
- Brian Cookson (Executive Member NASUWT and SCETT Treasurer)
- Dennis Hayes (Professor of Education, University of Derby; SCETT Hon Secretary).
Professor Hayes said: "Teachers are now told they must adapt to an 'age of austerity'. After years of being controlled and silenced, we need to hear the teacher voice in the debate about what it means to be a professional in the current climate of cuts and low horizons."
The panel will debate the following issues: What does it mean to be a professional teacher today? Is it to be compliant and regulated, or is it still possible to be an autonomous professional whatever your discipline is? The idea of a 'new professionalism' is increasingly discussed but the meaning of professionalism is now uncertain.
Educators' views are needed to fuel the free debate and they are welcome to come along to the event at the University on Tuesday. It will begin with coffee and tea from 4pm, with the formal opening of the debate at 4.30pm.
SCETT is a charity, formed in 1981 by all the teacher unions and professional associations to promote professional education and training.
Copies of the SCETT pamphlet In Defence of Teacher Education will be on sale.
For further information about SCETT visit website www.scett.org.uk
For more details about Tuesday's panel event, and to book a place for the afternoon conference following it at 1pm (conference fee £25), visit website www.derby.ac.uk/professionalismconference
