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Take control of your career
Right from the start of your career, there are steps you can take to make sure it follows the path you want. Professional Recognition is a great way to provide you with guidance.
The first few years in teaching after you have achieved the Standard for Registration will have a significant bearing on your entire career. Taking proactive control of your own progression and development is essential if your career is to follow the path you would like it to.
More and more teachers who have gone through the Induction programme are using GTC Scotland's Professional Recognition programme to help them with this.
Rosa Murray, Professional Officer at GTC Scotland, said: "Professional Recognition can and does play an important role in supporting learning and development at every stage of a teacher's career.
"It is a perfect way to focus an individual's CPD to ensure they not only better themselves, but also to improve systematic practices across the profession."
Susan Montgomery is one 'early years' teacher who has been awarded Professional Recognition. She received the recognition in 2009, four years after achieving SFR, for mentoring.
"Susan said: "Gaining Professional Recognition is a great achievement and it is nice to be recognised for the work undertaken outwith the classroom.
"It is also not as time consuming as you would think, especially if there are a few teachers in the school who get together and work through it."
Mairi McAra, Professional Officer (Early Professional Learning) at GTC Scotland, said: "This collegiate approach is another useful benefit of the programme. Not only does it help teachers develop and expand their network, it also hones skills that will prove invaluable throughout a career, such as negotiation (and diplomacy!)"
Susan worked with Donna Sutherland, who also teaches at Hamilton Grammar School, to gain their Professional Recognition. She recognises the benefits of working with like-minded colleagues. Donna said: "Susan [Montgomery] and I went to High School together and now work side by side at Hamilton Grammar. It is beneficial to know that you have someone you can share ideas and experiences with."
Donna also debunks some of the misapprehensions around the programme. She said: "The process of gaining Professional Recognition is not as arduous as it first appears. The most difficult part is working out where the different pieces of information should go. Your Regent/Head Teacher can help with this."
Susan and Donna's work together not only has had direct benefits on them as teachers, it also leaves a legacy that will help future generations. Part of their work involved delivering talks to student teachers and production of a booklet entitled 'How to survive your probationary year'.
And ultimately, as Susan said, it puts their careers on a more solid footing: "Having Professional Recognition also makes you stand out, especially when completing application forms and going for interviews."
Mairi McAdam, who teaches at Rosshall Academy, is also keen to stress the long-term benefits of Professional Recognition. She said: "It has prepared me for going down the management/leadership route. I am now at the stage of thinking about applying for jobs as a PT/Faculty head.
"It has greatly improved my confidence in working with other staff and has helped improve my persona in school.
"It has really helped me develop as a person and is a great stepping stone in your career, especially if you are planning on going down either the management or charter teacher route.
"The process has really helped me self-evaluate my skills and make plans for my future CPD."Mairi added: "The form for Professional Recognition from GTC Scotland can seem daunting at first. But you have already done all the work in school and are just formalising it and seeking recognition. It is very similar to the project leadership submission. I would encourage more people to fill in the form and give it a go."