The Union Now Has an International Committee
On March 15-16, almost 30 teachers from international schools and international departments at independent schools met at Hornstrup Kursuscenter at the international seminar. This was the fifth time the event took place for members of the Teachers' Union for Danish Independent Schools, but one important point on the agenda for this year was different from previous years.
The participants at the seminar were to elect the union’s first international committee which will represent the members at the international schools and departments in the future.
The members of the committee were elected by the other participants at the seminar, and afterwards the committee elected its chairman. This is the International Committee in the Teachers' Union for Danish Independent Schools:
- Chairman: Oscar Manero, Sønderborg International School (second from the right)
- Deputy chairman: Paul Jonathan Bish, N. Kochs Skole in Aarhus (middle)
- Keeper of the minutes: Jonathan Bettger, Aarhus Academy of Global Education (second from the left)
- Treasurer: Sze Yee Ong, Skt. Josefs Skole in Roskilde (To the left)
- First committee member substitute: Kelly Draper Rasmussen, Aarhus Academy of Global Education
- Second committee member substitute: Melissa Castillo, Sønderborg International School
- The general council’s contact person: Rikke Friis, Skanderborg Realskole, chairman for Department 2 (To the right)
One of the primary tasks of the committee will be to organise and promote future international seminars, and according to the newly elected chairman, Oscar Manero from Sønderborg International School, the goal is that at least one to two teachers from all the international schools and departments will participate in the 2020 seminar.
Impressions from the international seminar
Name: Emilie H. Zelander
Origin: Malmö, Sweden
School: Aarhus Academy for Global Education
Position: Teacher
Years in Denmark: Almost 5
You participated in the international seminar for the third time. How did you experience the two days at Hornstrup Kursuscenter?
It was super nice again this year. Informative, interesting and nice. It is always great to meet other teachers in the same situation as yourself, because you very quickly get to live in your own little bubble. I have fantastic colleagues, but it is also really good to get input from others.
What are the most important points you brought with you from the international seminar?
I always think that the organisers create a really good program so that you get new inspiration that you can bring home to your own classroom. It was really interesting to get a new perspective on the work with pupils with special needs, and the workshop about feedback was also really good. In addition, it was – as always – a really good networking weekend. The social aspect means a lot. I met several of the participants before, and we also keep in touch between the seminars.
What are your thoughts on the new international committee?
I think that it is a super great initiative to democratise the work with the international teachers. Previously, organising the international seminar relied on volunteers, but now the structure is more formal, and those who want to contribute can become part of the committee.
Name: Ros Scholes
Origin: London, United Kingdom
School: Skipper Clement Skolen, Aalborg
Position: Teacher
Years in Denmark: 1
You participated in the international seminar for the first time. How did you experience the two days at Hornstrup Kursuscenter?
It was a really good experience. I have lived in Denmark for just over a year, and I have been focused on my own school and getting used to living in Denmark, so it was the right time to meet other teachers that are in the same position as me.
What are the most important points you brought with you from the international seminar?
I enjoyed the opportunity to take part in two excellent workshops given by Danish speakers who gave practical advice on relevant subjects. No matter how experienced you are as a teacher, you can always improve. I heard about some new ways and also tried and tested ways of giving feedback from Thomas Nybo, and Jens Wilbrandt gave a thought-provoking presentation on pupils with special needs, and how we can change our perspective when working with them.
What are your thoughts on the new international committee?
I hope the committee can bring together the teachers in the international system even more. Not just ex-pat teachers, but Danish teachers in the international system as well. There are relatively few International teachers, and many may be the only teacher at a school in a subject area. It is very useful to network with other teachers in the same situation.