Still on a high from attending my first WomenEd Northern Ireland unconference I began to consciously look for opportunities that would develop my confidence and make me 10% braver personally and professionally.

A charity that supports the SEN children I work with in my job and volunteer with on a Sunday, recently advertised the chance to fundraise for them and so I signed up. My family and colleagues really thought I had lost my mind when I proudly announced that not only was I signed up to do a ski dive for my charity but I would also be wearing a Santa suit as it was a Santa ski dive! On one level I can see how they came to this conclusion but on another level why was this so surprising?

Why wouldn't a 50 year old woman want to do a ski dive for charity Santa suit or not? What had stopped me even considering such a challenge before?

I believe the answer was simply I didn't ever envisage myself being brave enough for such a challenge.

Sometimes we don't allow ourselves the opportunity to take challenges, simply by never even imagining they are an option for us. Just by putting myself forward for this challenge I began to see myself and the world I occupy as a female leader differently.

With my #WomenEd tribe in my mind cheering me on, I thought to myself this is just the beginning! The next day I applied for a leadership promotion and to my delight I was successful.

I also decided to submit my first ever presentation application for a forthcoming conference, basing it on my data generation on staff and student well-being for school improvement and then ran/ walked/ jogged a return to Parkrun which I hadn't done in years.

So really my initial decision to ski dive serves to some extent as a metaphor for me diving into a new future, 10% braver, seeking out new challenges both personally and professionally.

Next on my list is an abseil for charity down a Belfast hotel and to start writing those short stories I have always wanted to write.

Thank you WomenEd, you have reminded me that my journey...

"…is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."(Attribution uncertain, possibly Plutarch)

I can honestly say that I feel at least 10% braver after my first #WomenEd Northern Ireland unconference in Belfast on 19^th of September. I had attempted to attend a few times before but always some sort of other commitment got in the way - not this time!

It is difficult to articulate just how powerful the impact of this day has had on me. To hear the phrase ' Disruptive Women' owned and worn with pride was so refreshing and inspiring.

The generous sharing of excellence, experience, wisdom, laughter, camaraderie and courageous sharing of insights about life in Iran and Afghanistan, the delicious food and great company, the goodies, the wonderful wedding news, the super resources, the fantastic music and inspiring presentation by Our Lady and St Pat's students' Female Voices, and sheer attention to detail throughout the unconference, made me realise the other beautiful phrase I had heard earlier in the day now applied to me.

I realised I had rather unexpectedly "found my tribe" - better late than never.

I genuinely did not want the day to end.

The memory of this unconference and the amazing women I met generously sharing their time and experiences, will indeed make me 10% braver. I am reassured that I am not alone or far fetched in my hopes and dreams for our collective future or indeed past my professional sell by date!

Thank you #WomenEd Northern Ireland!

As a teaching principal navigating Northern Ireland's cost of living crisis, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for my team's unwavering commitment, despite the persistent pay disparity compared to their counterparts. 

The unwavering support and courageous leadership within #WomenEd NI have been a beacon of hope, affirming that even amidst challenging times, the power of collective voices can uplift and empower.

Our dedicated teachers, often making personal financial sacrifices, tailor their instruction with unwavering care, modelling resilience and hope for their diverse students. They listen attentively, empowering each student to reach their full potential, fostering a classroom environment where compassion and dignity reign supreme.

#WomenEd NI plays a pivotal role in nurturing this supportive space by actively encouraging educators to share their voices and expertise. Through solidarity and knowledge-sharing, we have ignited sparks of optimism amidst the storms of chronic underfunding, collectively seeking innovative solutions to stretch our scarce resources and meet the needs of every student.

Recognising the importance of staff wellbeing, we prioritise initiatives that protect and uplift our passionate, underpaid teachers, ensuring that they can continue to share their gifts with unwavering enthusiasm. Despite threadbare budgets, inventive educators continue to find ways to keep spirits soaring, their laughter echoing through the setting, a testament to their unwavering resilience.

Our school community, guided by kindness and compassion, nurtures growth and fosters a spirit of inclusivity, regardless of the season's trials. Witnessing our children overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination fills me with immense pride. On the hardest days, we find strength in each other, carrying one another until joy returns. For this fellowship, I remain deeply and eternally grateful.

The privileges of this profession far outweigh any pay check. 

The true wealth lies in witnessing the minds of our pupils' blossom under the nurturing guidance of my team, their open hearts providing the sunlight that allows fragile seedlings to transform into radiant oak trees. 

Together, we plant promises, nurturing dreams that will one day bloom into a brighter future.

In a circle of support, we stand so strong,

Guidance flows freely, where we all belong.

Collaboration ignites the sparks of our dreams,

Connections we foster weave powerful seams. 

With hearts #10percentbraver, we rise and unite,

Together we shine, like stars in the night.

Connections forged, strong and true,

Ten percent braver, we rise anew.

Determined to challenge, to change the tide,

In unity and strength, we take our stride.

A mosaic of pieces laden with stories and grace,

In this WomenEd community, we find our place.

Thank you to the leadership team for working hard to support us every day.

Together, a community, we rise, come what may.

Labels and identity are a staple of Northern Ireland's cultural landscape and are deeply politicised. The use of labels can often be contentious and weaponised, making them a complex form of personal expression. For me, my relationship with labels has been far from linear.

For many, their labels are inherited and explicitly linked to their familial background. I suppose I'm no different as my primary labels growing up were foster child and adoptee. These labels were identifiers for support and served a safeguarding purpose. They didn't cause me any issues or hurt until the later years of primary school when a curious peer asked if my brother was my "real" brother. This term followed me into my teenage years and became one I inflicted upon relations in an attempt to take ownership of a word that once hurt me. I eventually learned to use it as a teaching opportunity to better inform others.

Often labels are used for the basis of statistical gathering, tracking metrics and informing research. If labels weren't in use, the census would be incredibly short! Without holding an analytical magnifying glass up to them, we wouldn't be able to prove the serious inequity issues that impact women in the workplace, such as the gender pay gap, access to promotions and more.

While statistics can be helpful, they can also constrain the labelled, acting as a catalyst for a self-fulfilling prophecy. The 2020 Better Futures report by Adoption UK revealed that: 

"In school, [adoptees] are much more likely to be excluded, to have complex special educational needs, and to leave with few or no qualifications." (Adoption UK, 2020)

I learned some harrowing statistics about care-experienced and adopted young people when I was applying to university. 

There is an annual campaign called Tick the Box by the Fostering Network that encourages care-experienced young people to tick a box on their UCAS application form so that universities know they are entitled to support. At the time of my application, I remember researching why this campaign was needed. The statistics for care-experienced young people attending never mind completing university were incredibly low, and sadly the dropout and acceptance rates continue to be low.

A report called Breaking the Care Ceiling states that:

"Fourteen per cent of care leavers go to university compared to 47 per cent of young people who didn't grow up in care. It will take 107 years to close the gap at the current rate of progress."(CIVITAS, 2023)

I find myself wondering how many go on to educational leadership or similar levels of profession?

Statistics like this, and the many reports about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), always drove me on and turned into a powerful motivator to prove my apparent life trajectory wrong. 

I attended university and indeed returned to complete my postgraduate. Since then, I've taught in fantastic schools and my love for educational technology has opened doors to work with leading edtech giants such as Academia, Adobe and Apple. Upon reflection, I recognise that this is an example of the potential and opportunity that arise when you are empowered to break free from predetermined narratives.

Labels play a significant role in shaping how we present ourselves, both online and offline. Many of our social media bios are filled with labels and identifiers. They act as convenient introductions but they omit the complexity of individuality. 

This brings me back to a keynote speech from Hannah Wilson @Ethical_Leader at #WomenEd Northern Ireland's unconference at St Mary's College, Derry back in September 2022. She challenged us to introduce ourselves and answer the question, "Who are you?" without falling back on professional titles. 

The message was simple, you are more than a teacher.

Labels, both empowering and hurtful, have been an integral part of my story. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I expected that many of the gendered labels I would encounter would be linked to my sexuality, but in actuality, it has been the casual, everyday misogyny that has raised its head more often.

The impact of language is profound. In professional spheres, when the term "girls" has been used to address me and my colleagues, it can feel like diminishing the respect we've earned as peers and leaders. Yet, in a social context, this doesn't faze me, e.g. girls' night, girl maths, girl dinner. I find myself reflecting on the irony of feeling some discomfort by the former. It's just a word after all.

Yet one word can make all the difference. 

One that I struggled to identify with was 'leader'. 

This was used to describe me and some colleagues at BlendEd NI @BlendEd_NI during lockdown when we were supporting teachers with digitally remote learning. The accidental rise in our profiles catapulted us to opportunities and meetings we wouldn't have dreamt of prior. 

Overcome with self-doubt, I sought coaching from @NicholaLynagh, whom I met at a #WomenEd Northern Ireland unconference. 

During those imposter syndrome moments, it was essential for me to learn from more experienced leaders than me. Nichola helped me value the diversity of age and experience in professional settings, which has been pivotal in my growth.

This diversity is reflected within the #WomenEd Northern Ireland network. With network leaders in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, we collectively possess a vast skill set and a wealth of perspectives to draw from. In the Northern Ireland educational context, it is a rarity to find groups with such a broad representation of age, geographical spread, and educational sectors. 

It's no coincidence that #WomenEd Northern Ireland represents one of my most valuable examples of professional collaboration. My inclusion as a network leader by Jackie Hill @hill1_jackie, Mary Lowery @marylowery1, Mairéad Mhig Uaid @MaireadMhigUaid and Amanda Murphy @am52429087 is a testament to good practice. I was recognised in a professional capacity as a collaborator, learner, and leader. The added diversity came about naturally and incidentally as many of my labels weren't known until a few meetings in!

I believe true leadership means looking beyond labels and recognising the power of diversity. Often that means acknowledging bias and setting your preconceived ideas to one side. 

Nurture and encourage the potential you see in someone, whether it is a pupil or a colleague. 

You just never know the impact that could have in the future.

References

CIVITAS, 2023

Adoption UK, 2020

Cover Image generated using AI in Adobe Express

'The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet'. Adrienne Rich

I write this on a beautiful Tuesday evening after a long day. Why? Because I had the most fantastic weekend, and I don't want to forget what I experienced or learnt. Also, I want to share the experience with YOU…

When the Global unconference was announced just after I became a network leader for @WomenEdNI, I was determined to attend. The conference was an opportunity to thank the fabulous leadership team for their hard work and to personally show my appreciation. The unconference was also an opportunity to learn from the network to help me to be a fully active network leader in my own region. Plus, the date was confirmed for the week after our Northern Ireland Unconference, so I wanted to relax with my fellow network leaders and enjoy their company.

Did I find these things? Yes. And so much more.

When we arrived through the doors (after finding the door!) we were welcomed by Vivienne. She knew my name. What a moment. 

This is where should be. This is my tribe. 

Customary selfie had to be taken!

The network assembled and we all signed up for our sessions. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and so very supportive. Hello, Hi you, awk Hi, the greetings from old friends that I had never met in person and the warm embrace of a professional network that knew what I needed before I did.

Many more selfies and group photos followed to mark the occasion. Alongside the most delicious croissants (thank you Regent High School).

Then the work began. We gathered in the auditorium for the welcomes and an overview of the network. The first two books were mentioned, and the excitement was built for the third book. Can we pre order this yet? Sadly not, but I am braced to pounce as soon as it is available. 

As a Geographer at heart, I appreciated Keziah's welcome and overview of the global network the most.

I had planned my sessions and was ready to face the day of inspiration and learning. 

The first session was withJulie Hunter: 'shy but mighty leadership'. I was beside the most adorable youngest member of the unconference audience, and he was in the safe arms of his mum - I really enjoyed chatting with Ruby and getting to know her journey. 

Julie was superb, she had us all hanging on her every word as she shared her real-life examples of quiet leadership and how we can overcome our shyness and how we can support shy leaders in our teams. AOB was removed from all my agendas and will never return.

Julie suggested that when we are going to an interview or an important meeting that we hold a pencil in our mouth to trick our body into a smile and the endorphin release. 

I tried this today, it works! 

Thank you, Julie, for saving my day, and for the future days you will save now that I know this. I have ordered Quiet by Susan Cain, as recommended, to learn more.

I then headed into session two to support my friend and fellow network leader Mairéad Mhig Uaid. The 'Representation Panel' discussion was moving and motivating. I was in awe of the stories shared and so very grateful for the safe space that our network is for us all. Mairéad spoke about the Pay Gap in Northern Ireland, and was, as she always is, well informed, and had excellent data to share. 

In Northern Ireland the gender gap is truly shocking; 30.2% of secondary workforce are male but 54.4% of the headteachers are male. It is even worse at primary level with 15.6% of Primary School workforce being male, however, 39.9% of headteachers are male. Wonderful discussions were prompted (Stats taken from Bowden, Christine and McNally, Michele, Analytical Services Unit 2020)

I then headed to Aqsa Islam to learn about Challenging Stereotypes. I was drawn to this session as I work in Integrated Education and want to be as well informed and active as possible to disrupt bias. The conversation was encouraging. 

How can we help young people to face difficult conversations to understand themselves and others better? Resources were shared that I will be recommending to others and contact details exchanged. Powerful discussions about our lens prompted challenging and real conversations. 

Time for some grub!

With a delicious lunch came the chance for the 'Building on Barbie' research group to meet in person after so many chats online and via messaging. We enjoyed getting to know each other in person and sharing stories over the delicious food. It was lovely to just chat together and to share our hopes and our journeys. Customary photo to mark the occasion.

Time to head to session 3 and to say goodbye to my friends who were starting their journey home. Hugs and best wishes exchanged with these most wonderful ladies who have become firm friends and confidants.

Session 4 was about Taking the Next Steps in Leadership with Nicola Taylor. We chatted in small groups about the characteristics of famous celebrities and their leadership qualities. A picture of Miss Piggy now sits on my desk at work after being added yesterday. I will be more Miss Piggy every day; confident, assertive, pay attention to the little details and of course honest.

It was then time to head home and face the journey across London to my flight. In retrospect I don't remember much of the journey home as my head was jam packed with ideas and inspiration. I realised that I hadn't tweeted, not like me, as I was so busy all day. I visited twitter (refuse to call it X) and caught up on everyone else's day, leaving my own messages for Sunday morning when I was refreshed and ready to digest the day.

Two days later and my desk has changed forever thanks to Miss Piggy and my bravery is a full 10% larger. I feel seen.

Bring it on.

Thank you to the #WomenEd Leaders for organising such a powerful day and to Regent High School for your hospitality. 

Thank you to all those I talked to and shared the day with.

References

Bowden, Christine and McNally, Michele, Analytical Services Unit, Department of Education (DENI) (Northern Ireland), corp creators. (2020) Teacher workforce statistics in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland, 2019-2020, https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/37366/

Adrienne Rich quotation from https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/adrienne_rich_147915?src=t_connections

From all of us in the #WomenEd NI network, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Parm Plummer for her dedication and support to our community.

Many in our network might not realise the extent of Parm's behind-the-scenes efforts, but her contributions have been invaluable to us. Regardless of the time, Parm has always been just an email or a message away from offering support and guidance.

We're particularly grateful for Parm's assistance in taking several of our network leads through their orientation process. Her leadership and guidance laid the foundation for this thriving WomenEd NI movement, and for that, we are eternally thankful.

Her dedication is evidenced by holding the undisputed record for the furthest trek to a #WomenEd NI unconference – all the way from Jersey to Derry!

Even when she couldn't physically attend, her night-before or morning-of messages of warmth and encouragement always set the perfect tone for a day of learning and connection with our community.

Parm has been a constant ally and dynamic force of empowerment for women in education - a role we know she will continue to embody.

Thank you, Parm, and best wishes in all of your future endeavours.

Your friends at #WomenEd NI.

'If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito.'  (Attributed to many.)

In March 2022 I presented for the second time at a #WomenEd Northern Ireland unconference. 

I had to be #10percentbraver plus more as sharing personal information does not come naturally to me. Thankfully, my friends, Mairead and Chantal, were there and I felt their support. 

The final slide in my presentation was a collage of photos; women who had been important in both my professional and personal journey. I talked through each of the photos and explained why each had been impactful upon me. 

The final photo was Mrs Mary Spratt, my Nana. She had two sons, I am her oldest granddaughter, we were very close.

I had initially planned to follow up after the presentation with a blog, but it is only now that I can find the words again.

Mary Spratt was an astute, innovative, quick-witted, and shrewd lady. A disruptor. 

She was a businesswoman in a different time when not many women were in business and those who were found misogynistic comments and actions everywhere. When I was little, she was my hero, she was out there proudly doing her thing and being brave every day. She would tell me later, when I was older, about the comments and resistance she endured from male colleagues, but not as a warning, as a challenge. She would say that this just made her more determined to be successful. And she was. She disrupted.

She died the week after my presentation. Very suddenly and unexpectedly. She didn't know that I had featured her in my presentation.

Her legacy is me and my legacy is my daughter. She didn't know it, but her actions were being watched closely. 

Many times, I have been told that I can't do something or underestimated because I am a woman. Every time I see this as a challenge. Tell me I can't do something, and not only will I do it, but I will also exceed. 

That is my Nana's disruptive influence in me.

The key takeaway I wanted my presentation attendees to have was that we are all impacted in many ways by the women around us. In turn the women around us are impacted by our influence.

Let's use it to disrupt!

'Mammy, what way does 10% braver work?' my nine-year-old asked.

'I suppose it all depends on your starting point,' came my sluggish reply as I thought back to when we began the #WomenEd Northern Ireland network over four years ago, and I remembered me, then.

I'd been working in education for over 20 years. Standing up for pupils, for their rights and their needs - all day, every day. Standing up for myself, for my rights and my needs? Not so much.

The years had taken me to a place and time where being a highly qualified, experienced woman in leadership brought a whole raft of new experiences. 

For me, what seemed like the first time, I needed to stand up for myself. 

Work wasn't working. 

A book entitled '10% Braver' surely held the answers. It couldn't just be me.

Yes, I was braver. I still had a bit to do.  

Today, like most Sundays, I collected my niece from her mum and brought her to my home for dinner. This usually means that my daughter and I can go for a nice walk in the forest near their home before collection. 

However, this week my daughter was feeling tired and stayed at home and I had a tough week; death in the family, a sick friend and my values were challenged this week together with the usual January hurdles. 

This was a difficult week. I needed a proper walk today to clear my head.

What happened?

I finally saw a kingfisher. No photo as I was busy enjoying her before she flew away, but I saw her!

This made me think about my usual work habits.

Am I being 10%braver often enough by choosing a different path, the path which is harder but takes me further? It is perfectly fine to just keep enjoying the usual path, the one that is well trodden. I know where it will take me, and I know what it will look like as I have been there before.

But the muddy path requires more bravery. But bravery requires resilience.

There was a moment when I doubted that I had taken the correct path, my boots were getting very muddy. But I knew I was doing the right thing by taking a different path and if it didn't work out then I would have learnt a lesson about this path. I thought about the blog written by Farzana Akther recently. How has teaching changed you as a person? She asks. I feel that resilience has been built through many learning experiences however when I reflect on the past three to four years, I feel that this is when I have been bravest professionally.

Why is that? (My mind wandered to change focus while ascending a difficult part of the path!)

The answer is support. I can be braver as I know the #WomenEd network are behind me and wanting to celebrate my bravery while also there to offer guidance and support when the path gets challenging. This network, and especially the #WomenEd Northern Ireland team, have enabled me to be braver and choose more challenging paths and for that I cannot show enough gratitude. So, I pay it forward which is the absolute beauty of this wonderful network.

When we can take the harder path and we are facing bigger challenges our impact will be greater.

Not only will we feel better for overcoming the challenge, but we can enjoy the view from a newer perspective and elevation. The goal that we may have struggled to achieve by repeating the same actions may be achieved in the same way that changing paths enabled me to finally find a kingfisher.

Safely back to the car and reflecting on the morning I considered –

• Be #10percent braver more often.
• The path may be a challenge but is worth it.
• Teaching has changed me, and that is OK.
• Support of the network has changed my career path.
• Pay it forward as much as I can.

Images all the author's own

Belfast hosted the BELMAS (British Educational Leadership Management and Administration Society) conference on 14-16 July 2023. @WomenEdNI were invited to attend to host an information stand and also a conference session.

Over the weekend the team met educational researchers from around the globe who were researching significant factors influencing education. Powerful conversations were had with researchers, and connections were made. The team spoke to ladies from countries who want to develop new #WomenEd networks, and members of global networks connected with us.

#WomenEd NI team members hosted a conference session to highlight how the #WomenEd Global networks connect and support women in leadership and aspiring to leadership in education. 

The team also highlighted the global impact of #WomenEd including the 34 global networks and 120+ global network leaders. 

The pay gap was also highlighted with a focus on Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland 77.2% of the teaching workforce is female, however only 41.5% of post primary headteachers are female (Bowden and McNally, 2021).

What a wonderfully powerful weekend filled with conversation, connection, campaigning, and plenty of laughter along the way.

#WomenEd NI would like to thank Deb Outhwaite from @WomenEdEM for her support and suggestion that we took part in the event while it was hosted in Belfast.

Check out our short video below...