REACH ››› UP MENTORING
EDUCATION
PARENTING
LIFE SKILLS
MAY 10 - 16, 2012
ROLE MODELS ...
Special supplement › page 21 - 28
Black role models showing the younger generation the way INSIDE: › Equality campaigner Lord Ouseley gives us his thoughts on making it and racism in football
› Boys of the military
We talk to two young men about their future army career
› Those who can, teach
We talk with two teachers, one at the beginning of his career and the other at the end
› Young entrepreneur
We talk to a young single mother about how her creativity is bringing social change
22 | THE VOICE MAY 10-16, 2012
REACH UP
Supplement Editor - Bart Chan
Email: bart.chan@gvmedia.co.uk
Introduction from the Chairman of Reach Society
A
fter some 12 months of encouraging, motivating and inspiring young people, especially black boys and young men, in small groups it was decided to engage much larger groups. The Careers Conference, rolled out during the Easter break in April, was our big idea for achieving this. Here are some memorable comments we received from young people, and their parents or carers: • My son liked it and there were people who spoke and encouraged him; • This was just what I needed right now; • A fantastic day, very proud to be a part of it; • Lord Ouseley was an excellent guest speaker who provided class and inspiration which
Reach Society is a social enterprise that started operations eighteen months ago. It is the brainchild of a small group of professional men who are passionate about reaching back into our community to inspire our young people.
INSPIRING THE YOUNG: Dr Dwain Neil can only help young Black males; • It was an excellent, encouraging, inspiring conference; • These workshops were inspiring for teenagers allowing them to look at different op-
PLAY TIME: A young boy rebuilds a model navy ship
tions; • This conference should be held periodically and in local communities. We were delighted to attract almost 400 young people, their parents and some teachers. Everyone gained the opportunity to interact with around 30 professional men from the black community (whose skillsets included engineers, business owners, doctors, lawyers, university lecturers, surveyors, HR experts, senior educators). Visitors also took advantage of our unique, experiential
workshops, The Perfect 10, in which everyone obtained information, advice and guidance for becoming successful socially and educationally; and were alerted to the advantage gained by young people when their parents are engaged in their development - hence our decision to found Smart Children Clubs, to involve parents in simple steps to improve their children’s life-chances Visitors also interacted with several private sector firms such as Carnaby Erp and Learners Cloud (IT experts),
Rare Recruitment (experts in placing high achieving Black graduates), Altran Technologies ( structural engineering experts); established mentoring groups ACES Youth Project and Black Boys Can Association; and Welbeck College and others. We noted with delight that 90% of respondents rated our careers conference as good or very good, and many asked us to hold more. I could not end without expressing my thanks, on behalf of Reach Society, to those who
helped us to make the event truly extraordinary, such as our patron, Lord Ouseley, for his outstanding message to the young people. I would also thank The Royal Navy for the use of their magnificent facilities, HMS President, St Katherine’s Docks; and our strategic partner organisations - ACES Youth Project, Excell3 and Runnymede Trust. Our deepest thanks are due to the cohort of professional men and women, who volunteered time to encourage, motivate and inspire our young people. Above all, Reach Society is grateful to The Voice for the huge interest and enthusiasm it has shown in our work to build viable connections to improve the future of our young people. ¢ Dr Dwain Neil, Chairman
of Reach Society
REACH UP
MAY 10-16, 2012 THE VOICE | 23
The lord of race relations By Bart Chan
W
hen Lord Ouseley takes the stage everybody listens. The parliamentarian tells the audience about how he got where he is, someone from the crowd asks, “If there’s anyone piece of advice you could give, what would it be?” Ouseley barely hesitates in answering, “Work hard.” After Ouseley has informed the audience about his origins and personal experiences in facing institutional racism, he talks to The Voice about the event. “Reach [Society] is do-
ing an important job, it provides positive role models, and we hear a lot of negativity, so it’s good to hear about achievers.” The racial equality and diversity campaigner says it is events like these that “help young people become confident, making communities stronger and British society healthier. It is a triumph over negativity.” Ouseley, who began his career in local government, feels it is particularly important young black children are given the chances and opportunities other children enjoy; “All people need to feel a sense of selfworth, and young people need
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Lord Ouseley opens Reach Society’s careers conference at St. Katherine’s Dock, HMS President
to get as much encouragement as possible.” One campaign that Lord Ouseley is closely associated with is ‘Kick It Out’, the antidiscrimination organisation of which he is chairman. Kick It Out, set up to tackle and ultimately remove racism from football, has had to deal with the spotlight on racism in football recently – the Luis Suarez and John Terry incidents, not to mention the considerable Twitter controversies, all have shown an ugly side to the beautiful games still lingers. “Clearly employers have a responsibility,” says Ouseley about football clubs disciplining their players and overseeing their fans, “they have to have a moral code.” Kick It Out’s chairman is disappointed by the new spate of racism cases, “Action needs to be taken where the code has been breached. We think all the regulations are in place, it’s just the application of these regulations which proves difficult. “I welcome the findings of the Suarez and Evra case,” he
says, but is unwilling to comment on the alleged comments made by John Terry to Anton Ferdinand, as the case is ongoing. When weighing up freedom of speech and people’s right to air their airs via social media, such as Twitter, Ouseley says the most important aspect is “consistency.” He says, “We have to understand the full circumstances and all the factors, before we can say whether the punishment is very harsh or lenient, but it doesn’t make sense if punishments are inconsistent.” He remains resolute in the law dealing with abhorrent content when made public; “If abusive, racist, homophobic or sexist comments are made in the public domain, they need to be prosecuted.” Ouseley offers a warm handshake and big smile, then goes off to share his thoughts with the young black people attending the event, who live in a very different country to the one Ouseley grew up in, a change in which he has played a significant part.
Always there/Actions speak louder than words Could you befriend a young person in care? Young people in the care system need stable and positive role models We’re particularly looking for men to volunteer to offer that support. If you have experience of being in care yourself we’d like to hear from you but if you haven’t – and you’re commited about mentoring a young person – give us a call. Full training and support will be provided.
Training to start Summer 2012 To find out more contact The London Independent Visitors Project
Email: LondonIV@actionforchildren.org.uk Tel: 020 7254 9408
“My IV listens when I talk. He helps me to be positive about my life. He’s always there and we have laugh.” (James, 15) James has come a long way since he was “matched” with a volunteer Independent Visitor through Action for Children. By the time we met him he had already been involved with the police and his reputation as a ‘troublemaker’ was spreading through his neighbourhood. As a first step the project went to visit James; explained what he could get out of the scheme and spoke about the sort of mentor he might like. One of our volunteers, David, shared similar interests and could offer James the sort of support he needed, so we introduced them. That was over a year ago. “James is a great young man. We started out just having fun, getting to know each other – going to the park, kicking a football around, going to the cinema, finding places to go and eat, simple stuff really, “ says David. “There was never any pressure to talk about the ‘serious stuff’. We would just have fun and chat about all sorts – football, TV, anything really. But James knew that if he wanted to he could talk to me and I would be supportive. James would often talk about being let down by this person and that person and that it was really difficult for him to trust people. I never tried to ‘achieve’ that but just kept on being that reliable, consistent person that he
could have a laugh with. He’s a really bright lad and has a lot of ideas and plans about what he wants to be but just needed that bit of space to express them. A year on I wouldn’t say that we’re totally there, but I feel proud and privileged that I have been there for him and have no intention of stopping now!” The support IVs offer can range from just going out and having fun to more structured and targeted help – Each young person is an individual and it always depends on what that young person’s needs are. Children in care often have to deal with regular change and a lack of stability, which is why it’s incredibly important that there is someone independent (hence the name) and consistent in their lives that can give that young person a chance to build a positive relationship with someone over a long period of time. Something that most of us take for granted. And what do volunteers get out of it? David says, “I never went into this expecting to get a specific reward or gratification, but it’s been a thoroughly fun experience. The most amazing reward was to see the change in James and how he has grown as a person. To know I’ve played some part in helping to give him the space to find out what he wants in life, and to stay out of trouble is more than I could have hoped for.”
• The London Independent Visitors project supports children in care across London linking them with volunteer befrienders who aim to support a young person’s emotional wellbeing by developing a long term friendship with them whilst engaging with their interests/hobbies. • Action for Children supports and speaks out for the most vulnerable and neglected children and young people, for as long as it takes to make a difference in their lives. • Action for Children works with the most vulnerable and neglected children and young people: whose families need support; are in care; who is disabled; who experience severe difficulties in their lives. • Children are at the centre of everything Action for Children does. For more information on our work, please visit www.actionforchildren.org.uk.
24 | THE VOICE MAY 10-16, 2012
REACH UP
An adventure - preparing for life as an engineer in the army By Bart Chan
M
any youngsters do not know what kind of career they want in later life, but not Ben Bolton and Roberto Thomas. The two 17 year-olds know exactly what they want to be, and their education is providing them with a precise skills set for them to excel in their future professions. They are set to become engineers in the army, and are preparing for it by studying at Welbeck College, a sixth form military school. “I wanted to join Welbeck and then the army because it will
be an adventure,” says Bolton. Thomas agrees, “I want to travel around the world, and in the army it’s possible.” They both have already seen much of the world, this year Bolton has been skiing in Austria and diving in Egypt. Their decision to sign up to the army is based on lifestyle, and “opportunities,” says Thomas. This summer they are scheduled to visit Germany and spend a week with the Royal Engineers, and will get a taste of what they could be doing in a few years. The boys’ faces beam with excitement at the prospect, clearly they are pursuing what they want, and no-
body can stop them.
BENEFIT The future engineers, smartly dressed in uniform, have been promoting their college at the event, trying to show other young people how they too can benefit from a military career. They have their immediate paths mapped out; Bolton aims to study at Southampton, while Thomas would like to go to university in Northumbria or Loughborough. One thing they will not be getting lectures on at university is the art of killing. Being able to end the life of another human is something anyone
joining the armed forces must contemplate, and both boys have thought about it. “You need control, discipline, and be able to follow commands,” says Thomas, “as an officer you set your own boundaries.” Bolton looks forward to the prospect of combat situations, “I want to be in battles, I want to be in a position to test myself and see how I would react,” he says. They will become officers in the army, meaning they will be issuing orders to other men. Though not quite out of boyhood, they have been primed for leadership, a role that requires maturity, responsibility and independent thinking they say. “To get to point B from point A, it’s your choice,” says Thomas on the way to lead. “You need to make the decisions with your men; it has to be a two-way trust.” Thomas’ family has backed his choice of career from the very start, “My mum said she was behind me if this was what I wanted to do,” he says. His family are familiar with the army; he has two older broth-
ers serving in uniform. With Bolton the situation is different, “My mum is only just coming round to the idea of
“I wanted
to join Welbeck and then the army because it will be an adventure” me being in the army,” says the engineering hopeful. Yet he realises it is normal for mothers to worry about their sons, and going into the army is not exactly being out of harm’s way. For the time being, the boys are enjoying their time at
3 Ben Bolton (left) and Roberto Thomas, both 17, students at Welbeck College
Welbeck. “It’s like living with your mates,” says Bolton of the boarding school environment. Plus there are girls at the school too, which is “definitely a good thing,” thinks Thomas, though the ratio is only three to one. The girls must be spoilt for choice at school discos. Being Welbeck students has enabled Bolton and Thomas to experience things they might not otherwise done, particularly Bolton, who has developed a taste for extreme sports, such as climbing and kayaking. Their thoughts once again turn to the future, perhaps one day they could become elite soldiers in the SAS or Royal Marines. “I won’t lie, I’ve thought about it,” says Thomas, “those units raise standards for officers. They expect more, officers have to be at the front of the pack.” Leading from the front is what both these soon to be men have been trained to do. Ambitious, dedicated and bright, you would expect them to go far, making their mums proud, even though they may be putting their lives on the line.
Below: The Welbeck College stand at the Reach Society event 6
REACH UP
MAY 10-16, 2012 THE VOICE | 25
WELBECK DEFENCE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
WHERE LEARNING MEETS ADVENTURE
AND ENGINEERS MEET THEIR FUTURE.
Welbeck is the Defence Sixth Form College – and it’s one of the best A-level colleges in the country. For potential engineers with drive, ambition and ability, Welbeck is where potential turns into bright futures as Officers in the Armed Forces or Civil Service. The combination of state of the art facilities, excellent teaching and a constant drive for improvement, creates an environment that prepares young people for success in whatever role they take in their professional lives. • • • •
98% of students from Welbeck were offered a place at university in 2011 Tuition funded by the MoD En-suite accommodation Annual technical bursary of £4,000 at University
If you’d like to turn your engineering or technical potential into a promising career, come and visit us at one of our Open Days. For more information visit www.dsfc.ac.uk or follow us on
26 | THE VOICE MAY 10-16, 2012
REACH UP
Teacher of faith - the life of a young religious studies teacher By Bart Chan
L
eondre Douglas ushers his school pupils around the event. He does not let them out of his sight as they share jokes and laughs with each other. Douglas, who’s 23 but looks not much older than his pupils, exudes a quiet confidence. He recently qualified as a religious studies teacher, a profession he aspired to follow because of how he was taught. “I had a really good relationship with my teachers,” he says, “I saw how hard they worked.” Respect was obviously a mutual feeling between Douglas and his teachers, and it is how he remembers his time being taught which guides how he wants to teach; “The way they made me feel, I want to make my pupils feel.” Apart from teaching, Douglas is also a youth leader in his local church. He grew up in a Christian home, but it was when he was 16 that he found his
TEACHER: Leondre Douglas
“I had a really good relationship with my teachers”
own faith, attending a religious youth conference. “Preaching and teaching made me see what was important in life.” The usual pursuits of boys his age weren’t of interest, “Clothes, money, girls – they didn’t seem important anymore.” Faith, he says, “Gave me a new focus.” Douglas looks back over his students, casting a watchful eye over them while they explore the event, taking in the possibilities of what they could do in the future. Their teacher, whose grandparents are Jamaican, says he had role models that have inspired him; “Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Barack Obama, but also my good friends and family,” he says. Douglas, who enjoys cricket and football – he’s Manchester United fan, is arguably a role model himself. “I have a lot of friends who are in prison or don’t do anything, I wanted to stop that by going into teaching.” The young teacher from Ladbroke Grove, West London, simply wants to make a difference like those who helped him define where his life would go. “I find young black guys lean towards me, because I look like them, they can see someone doing something positive.”
Chavanese Wint brings social change through the arts By Bart Chan
S
he is only 20 years old, but Chavanese Wint has done more than enough to suggest she is older than her tender age. At 15 Wint founded her company, Voice of Young People, an outfit that aims to get young people away from criminality through performance arts. “I want to speak for young people who can’t speak for themselves,” says Wint, determination running through her voice. “I want to give people a way out of gang culture and knife crime. I grew up in Stockwell [South London] and saw a lot of crime; it made me want to do something.” That something has been realised through the performing arts, a medium she discovered in school and went on to study. “Doing drama, acting and writing inspired me to do my own thing and set up my own company,” she says. “One of the main reasons why I have set up this company is because as a young person myself I see the world just like other young person. I understand their main reasons as to why they are involved in gun and knife crime, and I know how hard it can be to get out of it. As a single mother, gang crime has made me want to protect other mothers whose children could be affected by gang violence.” Her inspirational journey has been aided by her father, who
FOUNDER AND MANAGER OF VOYP: Chavanese Wint encouraged her with more than just words. “My dad helped me out with my funding. He paid for me to put on performances in theatres and showed me how to apply for grants, such as the
Prince’s Trust.” Wint must be making her dad proud, for apart from combating youth crime, she finds time to write poetry and plays. “I’ve published a book of poetry, it’s called ‘Life is what you make it’, and it’s got 50 poems in it.” All the poems are written by her – she is a prolific writer, she has another 200 or so unpublished poems up her sleeve. Wint likes to write about life. What she sees, she puts into words, poetry or drama. “I also write songs, they are R&B love songs. My plays are about the challenges in life: crime; teenage pregnancy; and those kinds of things. Wint harnesses her own experiences in her writing; she has recently written a play which is to be put on at the National Theatre and will be performed by professional actors. It bears the same title as her book of poetry and is about
or in the news, I have to write about it to forget about it.” Her sensitivity to the outside world and issues that do not directly affect her is remarkable. Apart from writing about it, what does she do when she sees death? “I sit down and cry for hours,” she says. Wint is on a mission. What she is trying to do is admirable, and you would think she
a young single mother struggling through life. In reality, the father of Wint’s own baby daughter left them, leaving her to raise a child by herself. She is creating art out of her own struggles, constructing drama which mirrors her own life story. Writing also provides a release for her, a way of coping. “If I see a young person die on the TV
knows some good ways to “engage young people and keep them off the streets.” Her chosen method is performance arts, but if she donned a mask and cape you would be tempted to call her a super hero. ¢ To find out more and contact Voice of Young People, email Chavanese Wint: voyp_mmp@yahoo.com
VO.Y.P. MULTI-MEDIA PRODUCTIONZ PRESENTS Saturday Workshops Time: 5pm – 8pm Workshops include:
V.O.Y.P. MULTI-MEDIA PRODUCTIONS
Acting Singing Dancing Mondelling Poetry + many more ]Contact: PRESENTS 07534017970 Email: voyp_mmp@yahoo.com
Saturday Workshops Location 1 Renbury Street London SE5 9BS
Time: 10am - 4pm Workshops include:
Acting • Singing • Dancing Mondelling • Poetry+ many more... Contact:
075 3401 7970 CREATIVITY AND INSPIRATION : VOYP Rehersal group
Email: voyp_mmp@yahoo.com Location: 1 Kenbury Street, London SE5 9BS
REACH UP
Turning a future imagined into reality By Joseph Ogbonna
T
ime and again I see evidence that we can achieve more than we thought possible by looking beyond what our physical senses perceive, to what our minds can see. Sometimes, it is an act of faith, other times an act of will and sometimes simply imagination. Steve Jobs’ ability to create a ‘reality distortion field’ to achieve results that initially appeared impossible is likely to be studied by business students. He seems to have the ability to sow a seed of optimism in those around him, so strong that despite many flaws in his behaviour, his Apple folk stuck by him. There are other anecdotal accounts of people who envisioned a lofty future and who have arrived there and realised that many seeming impossible goals have been achieved. As a story in the Word for Today (UCB. 21 April 2012) put it, the young son of a ship captain said that he was calm when the boat was caught in a storm because he could see his father and knew his father had come through worse. Research has shown that the
Creating a vision for yourself is your best chance of achieving success human brain can create an experience by imagination. “It cannot tell the difference between an “actual” experience and an experience imagined vividly and in great detail,” according to Michael Michalko (2012) in Psychology Today. So why bother? My personal experience is that creating a detailed picture of your ideal future, including feelings, smell, sound and environment, is a powerful source of motivation and energy. This is especially powerful when this picture captures personal core values – those things that are most important
“A lofty future and who have arrived at the future time ”
The heritage of vision passing down experience By Joseph Ogbonna
S to u s , like love, influence, family, spirituality, to mention a few. Whilst the resulting achievement may sometimes seem magical, it really is clarity of vision which boosts self-confidence, and communicated to others both verbally and non-verbally, gives rise to more opportunities. At the same time the individual’s senses are heightened to passing opportunities that are aligned to the vision. With no mental barriers, the person can apply concerted effort to gather resources needed and make the best of these opportunities.
MAY 10-16, 2012 THE VOICE | 27
o how do young children develop a positive vision of their future? Through their parents and grand parents of course! Studies have found that older generations transmit a variety of positive and negative aspects of life to younger ones, ranging from cognitive ability, social status, divorce, child abuse, and religion. A parent’s words, the company they keep influences their children in the books they read, movies they watch, developing the first blocks of a child’s vision. More specifically, women are believed to be more active than men in maintaining this intergenerational transmission (Rossi 1993; Kamo & Zhou 1994). Rather than leaving them to it, this natural strength in the community wants to be valued, supported and emboldened if a community is serious about transferring a vision from one generation to
“holding a positive vision for younger people”
the next. Transmitting a vision often gets more difficult as a child turns into an adult and starts to create their own personal vision of the future. It was interesting to read Bengson & Kyupers (1971) finding that whilst the older generation strives for continuity, the children want
independence and so focus on the difference between the generations. I guess the fastpaced change in street slang is testament to this. At this stage, the parent can best serve the young one by helping to gather the resources needed to achieve the vision and to help them create a positive energy in their environment. The effort is worth the positive results that could accrue in African – Caribbean communities in the United Kingdom. The Mexican Oportunidades programme takes this ‘whole community’ approach based on the idea that poor families do not invest in human capital and so are locked into a cycle of intergenerational transfer of poverty. In an effort to break the cycle, the programme pays parents whose children remain in school to keep them there. When more families in a community are consistently holding a positive vision for younger people, giant leaps of success will be made over time.
CHANNEL 4 PROGRAMME ARE YOU INTERESTED IN CHALLENGING MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA & DISCRIMINATION AT WORK? DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN A GROUND-BREAKING DOCUMENTARY? We want to hear from people who have a mental health issue, and just as importantly, we want to hear from people who do not. If you are interested, please contact: mentalhealth@cineflix.com or call Tel:
020 3179 0097
Cancer Black Care is a registered charity since 1996, supporting predominantly black and ethnic minority cancer sufferers and their families. We are looking for motivated individuals to join our board of trustees or to volunteer experience and skills in fundraising, grant writing, welfare rights, cancer awareness raising, newsletter production, administration. If you have some time to commit to four board meetings a year and would like to be part of a well respected, London based, forward thinking organisation, why not give us a ring. Speak to Natalie on: 020 8961 4151 or contact by email: natalief.cbc.org@btconnect.com
REACH UP SPECIAL COURSE
28 | THE VOICE MAY 10-16, 2012
Transforming lives through teaching 36 |
APRIL 19 -25, 2012
Course that changed my life
By Bart Chan
W
e are here passing on our experiences to young people,” says EXCITEMENT WAS atspent fever Keith Davidson. Having at as Kensington his pitch career a teacherand and Chelsea College after stueducator, Davidson is well dent Ruth-Ann St Luce positioned to determine what impressed some of the works and names what does notmusic for biggest in the younger generations. industry to secure her spot He in prime a careers onworks BBC1’s timeguidshow ance role for the Reach So‘The Voice’. ciety, Ruth and for it is by about washim watched more than 8 million people as on tal“encouraging education a The Voice UK Judges including Jessie J ent show, The Voiceformer as she pathway to a career.The to the stage 18-year-old Ruth performed a moving head teacher sees teachingrendias inspired Educator global superstar, tion of Leona Lewis’s something like no other‘Run’ ca- to PASSION: singer and songwriter Jessie J an all star panel of Tom reer. “If you’re an engineer you Keith Davidson Jessie leave J, will.i.am and to turn her chair. see Jones, the product the facClearly moved by the Danny O’Donoghue. The economics teacher detory and that’s it, you don’t get Unlike other talent shows teenager’s audition Jessie J clares it is the teacher-student feedback from it, you can’t talk the celebrity panel sit facing said: “I couldn’t sing like that to itaway like afrom person.” the acts and can when I was that age. I am bond which makes the proonly hear them. If the stars here to work on someone that fession so special, he says, like what they hear, they I think could be phenomenal “Through education you can have to hit their buzzer and and I think she is definitely connect to your students after the education has finished. turn their chair around at that.” Outstanding performance: music Now a firm contender in You’re which point they get to see lives, St it brings college touching student Ruth-Ann Luce the person they’ve chosen for the fight to be crowned the great satisfaction.” Recently he UK’s next great voice, Ruth is ran a life be their team. intotime one opportunity of his formertopucoached by Jessie J as she Within moments of taking getting ready for her once in pils, he smiles broadly recalling the encounter.
Music diploma student strikes winning chord with Jessie J
“Education is about service, serving others”
Days on June and 13 July
battles to win the show. Songbird Ruth, who is studying for her Level 2 Diploma in Music, said of her debut performance on The Voice: “It felt like I was meant to be there. It just felt like something I could do everyday. I am just so overwhelmed right now…. All my dreams are full of being a successful artist – I feel like it’s meant to be.” The talented singer has already shown her versatility and star quality in several college music performances The educator appreciates in front of industry names teaching the right career includingis not award winning if you are English rap planning star Akala.to make millions, might not Head “The of pay Music at be as good as the but Kensington andbankers, Chelsea there is Paul muchHall more joy,” his College, said: “Ruth hands are animated like poliis a shining example ofawhat can be “there achieved with the tician’s, is intrinsic valright dogged deterue andattitude, it’s much longer lastmination and has a thirst to ing. Education the power learn. She haslives an incredible to transform in a way other careers can’t offer.”
It was during his university days that he discovered his passion for teaching and education. a student talent and While everyone at theat Middlesex university, he was college knows she has what it encouraged teach takes to go alltothe wayhis on peers, The “It was then I realised this is Voice.” To listen what I wanttoto Ruth’s do for the rest audition click of my life.” He on went on to do www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ a postgraduate and doctorate p00qw48k in educational administration and leadership, and he has not
looked back since. Like the many military personnel at the event, Davidson sees his profession in a similar vein, “Education is about service, serving others,” he says. He talks of the qualities required to make an excellent teacher, first of all “you have to know your subject well.” Secondly, he believes a great teacher will “be able to motivate and inspire young people to love that subject too.” Also, a teacher has to be good with children, he says, “You got to love the children in order to construct the right relationship and believe in them.” Lastly, he deems that a teacher “has to be committed to service.” As Tony Blair famously once said, “Education, education, education,” and this is a sentiment that undoubtably resonates with Davidson’s life If you have participated on a story. So much so he cannot course that changed your imagine lifelove without “Edulife,we would to hearit; from cation is essential to everyyou e mail Careers and thing in life, without Courses sponsored features it you can’t on: be successful.” He poneditor ders over what he has said, jacqueline.asafu-adjaye@ gvmedia.co.uk and then says with conviction, “Education is life.”