4410 Educators providing Courses

Welfy

welfy

After decades in the corporate world we reached a tipping point where we needed to channel our energy into something new. We had both spent so much of our careers running, racing, relentlessly pushing, proving, re-proving, worrying, wondering, apologising. Loving it most days but at times, totally exhausted by the pressure of juggling it all. Forever climbing expectations of time and energy until the bank is empty. More and more “baby birds” demanding attention as you climb up the ladder and manage larger teams. That nagging feeling that there is always something you should be doing. Giving a little bit more. Being a touch more proactive. Staying that bit later. Being a bit more committed. More plates spinning as life gets yet more complicated with children and mortgages and sick parents and far far too much adulting. Too much guilt. Life was becoming totally out of balance. Relationships suffered. Health took a hammering. But then we realised, hang on, it isn’t all out of our hands, it is absolutely in our control. It is possible to manage our energy and even have more of it than ever before. We can fill up the bank until it’s bursting at the seams. We just didn’t realise you have to stop being so reactive and leaving yourself at the bottom of the priority pile. It hadn’t dawned on us that you have to take control of managing your wellbeing. We didn’t know that it’s in everyone’s interest to put yourself first. And even if we did, we had never been taught how?

E. C. Goodwin Technical High School

e. c. goodwin technical high school

I am honored to serve as Interim Superintendent for the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS); the finest Career and Technical Education program in Connecticut. For over 100 years, this school system has prepared high school students and adult learners with the skills to be successful in high-demand technical careers, while equipping Connecticut business and industry with a talented workforce to support economic growth. I am proud to be a part of that story. For 30 years I have worked in a variety of education roles. Most recently, I served as Superintendent of Bristol Public Schools where I was directly involved in the development and implementation of the district’s career partnership with business and industry in the city of Bristol, as well as a successful school-to-work career pathways program. Through this experience I observed how opportunities in the skilled-trades can transform the lives of students by setting them up for a living-wage career. I am excited to learn more about the opportunities CTECS offers. I believe that educational leaders are in the business of serving people first. Student growth, achievement and outcomes do not happen without a solid school foundation built on trust, seamless and open dialogue, and the willingness to engage in critical conversations. As such, over the coming months I’ll be spending my days in classrooms with students, meeting with CTECS staff, and getting to know our business and industry partners so that I can continue to support the growth of this school system. Thank you for your continued support of CTECS’ nearly 11,500 high school students and adult learners. I look forward to a rewarding school year together.