All Things ASE
That’ll Teach You!
ASE’s long-standing education programme has been undergoing quite a dramatic series of changes recently, with plans for more.
ASE’s new Placements Coordinator, Bill Badley , outlines what’s already happened and what is to come.
Bill Badley, ASE’s new Placement Coordinator
First of all, let me introduce myself. I took over the Education side of ASE’s work from Andrew Butterworth and Mike Rix: four very large shoes to fill but, after 18 months of flopping around in them, I now feel ready to forge even closer links with our education partners in the US: there is so much potential to build on in the fine work that Andrew & Mike did before.
I came to ASE after over 20 years in the classroom. Much of this time was spent in secondary schools, teaching a variety of subjects (music, drama, English, history and media) and serving as a pastoral leader, assistant principal and Head of Faculty; I also taught at primary level for two years and was a Teaching Fellow at Bristol University School of Education during 2015/16.
Students of our first Education Summer School, with ASE tutor Adge Baker.
Our First Education Summer School
As I write, we are in the midst of our first ever Education Summer School. This is proving to be an exciting new venture for us. Seven Education majors from seven different colleges - Brandeis University, Colby College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, the College of William and Mary, the University of Mary Washington, Saint Michael’s College, and Wesleyan University - divide their time between practical experience in local schools and academic study which, this year, focuses on ‘Memory in the Classroom’.
In our weekly tutorial sessions, I am always struck by how intelligently they reflect on the similarities & differences between our two school systems and the benefits of being in a new environment under the guidance of experienced placement mentors. I have to say that our partner schools also really enjoy the infectious enthusiasm these young Americans bring with them.
We have all just returned from two days in London, packed with visits to museums & art galleries, stimulating conversations and a lot of fun!
Looking Forwards
Not all education is classroom based. We are looking at greater integration between the Education and Internship programmes.
As I look to the future of ASE’s Education programme, there are some particular avenues I would like to follow to ensure that it is as robust and forward-looking as possible.
I am aware that not all of those on Education courses are intending to work ‘at the chalk-face’ in schools and that there is a growing need to consider how learning can be fostered outside the classroom. With this in mind, I have already started to expand our work with some of Bath’s internationally renowned heritage sites - like The Roman Baths - and their learning centres.
I also feel it vital that I get a clearer idea of what is currently happening in the United States. Inevitably, I pick up a good deal from our visiting students but I would always like to be better informed so that we can tailor our programme so that it is ever-more relevant and useful.
Teaching is changing on both sides of the Pond. You can help us keep up to date on current issues.
In order to do this I need your help…
I would really appreciate opportunities to start conversations with Education faculty members from colleges and universities around the US and to strengthen ASE’s existing links with our alums who are working in the field of education. You know what the current issues are in American schools and the needs of students hoping to follow a career in education; one of the advantages of our relatively small programme is that we can adapt readily.
I look forward to meeting you and your colleagues in the near future.
If you are a faculty member interested in helping Bill with the development of the Education programme curriculum, please drop us an email.
If you are an alumni working in education then please join the ASE Educators community over on LinkedIn, and email Rob Jones, our Alumni Association Coordinator.