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Independence and beyond
The convener of the Twelfth Council of GTC Scotland recognises the task before him, but is looking forward to playing his part in the history of education.
Over the last few years, many of us have come to terms with having to do more with less. It is a necessity created by the recession, the legacy of which we will likely have to manage for years to come.
So while David Drever, convener of the Twelfth Council of GTC Scotland, faces a daunting term, at least many others will empathise with his predicament.
The Twelfth Council of GTC Scotland will sit for just over two years, a little more than half its usual term. This is to accommodate Scottish Government plans to make GTC Scotland the first independent regulator of teaching in the world.
This also means that the Council, besides managing its ongoing responsibilities for raising professional standards, will additionally have to prepare the foundations for an independent future.
David said: "You could say we are having to do twice as much, with half the time."
Not that it is something he is either frightened or overwhelmed by. In fact, he is proud to be involved at this transitional time, which he says has "a sense of history".
He is confident that the Council and the supporting staff at GTC Scotland have the skills and attitude needed to successfully complete another first for the organisation. Since David's appointment in late 2009 he has been struck by the depth of skills and experience the Council has at its disposal. Appropriate, certainly, that the very body charged to manage professional standards should be characterised by its professionalism.
He said: "The composition of the Council includes a range of stakeholders and interests, while the majority of members are classroom teachers.
"Combine this with the dedicated staff at Clerwood House and you have a significant body gathered together to pursue one common interest."
He himself has a strong pedigree, not only in the classroom, but also with his experience shaping wider systematic change.
As a former President and Vice-President of EIS, David is well aware of the issues facing the profession as a whole. He has more than three decades of teaching experience, having worked in several schools in Glasgow and, for the last 24 years, in his adopted home in Kirkwall - where he is depute head of the local secondary school.
His CV shows that his dedication stretches beyond his own responsibilities to those of the wider profession. He epitomises the altruism of the Council, staffed by teachers based the length and breadth of the country who give up scarce time and energy to further the standing of teaching.
David is confident, but not complacent. The work of the twelfth Council cannot be underestimated.
Besides the normal committee work, looking at standards and discipline, there is the "big ticket" issue of Curriculum for Excellence, and the changes that will mean for the profession. At this time, there are still more questions than answers, so David and his colleagues will need to keep a watching brief and be able and prepared to respond appropriately.
Meanwhile, the remit, structure and size of GTC Scotland will also need to be reviewed in light of the Government's independence proposals.
Given these fundamental, historic changes, it is easy to assume the common or garden work of GTC Scotland will largely disappear from the attention of the teaching profession. This is something that David is comfortable with - indeed it is something he thinks is right and proper.
"Much of the work of GTC Scotland is behind the scenes and if we are doing our job properly this is where it should remain. Our work involves engaging with stakeholders across the profession to ensure the systems and infrastructure are in place to support teachers in the classroom."
So, for much of the career of a 'typical' teacher, GTC Scotland may seem like an enigmatic, distant organisation. Something that, perhaps, is a bit of a luxury in chastened times?
David refutes this. Far from being an extravagance, he regards GTC Scotland as the foundation upon which the education system in Scotland is built.
He said: "A modest subscription fee provides a wide range of services for teachers.
"We are here at pivotal times throughout their careers, helping them to achieve full registration through the induction programme, guiding them through professional recognition and registration and onto chartered status.
"And we are here to protect those in our care, on the comparatively rare occasion when individuals do not meet the standards expected of them."
David is also keen to involve more teachers in the work of the Council. He said: "We are always looking at new ways to engage with our stakeholders.
"But the best and easiest way to become involved is to stand for election."
The opportunity to do this, as David is all too aware, will come around very quickly. Dedicating your time to the first independent Council is perhaps one of the best opportunities you will have to leave a positive legacy to the entire profession.