Educational Mamanagement, Teacher training, HumanitiesWhat type of job are you looking for? I would be interested in an job in education in Guyana where I could use my extensive educational experience to add to the quality of education in some way. My main interest would be in training teachers or Head Teachers in how to improve their performance or advising Ministry of Education on all sorts of educational development. What nationality are you? I am a British citizen born in Scotland aged 62 years. What languages do you speak (and at what level)? English is my native tongue. I speak a little Spanish but not to any proficient standard. What country or area are you looking to work in and why? I am only interested in working in Guyana. I have recently entered into a relationship with a native of Guyana and we intend living there at some point. It would be a great advantage for me to be able to continue to work in education at a high level which is what I love rather than embark on some business venture. What countries have you worked in? I trained and worked at Head Teacher level in both Scotland and England. I have worked for the most part of my career at Head Teacher level or above in St Helena, Spain, Oman, Indonesia and China. What countries do you have a visa to work in? At present I have a visa to work in China. What field do you currently work in? At present I am Academic Director for Dipont Education in China. I have direct responsibility for 17 Centres throughout China focused on providing A-Level, AP and IB courses to Chinese High School students. I have responsibility for over 160 ex-patriate teaching staff. I travel extensively both within China and internationally. What fields have you worked in before? My entire career has been based in education and educational management and training specifically. What qualifications do you hold? I have a BSc in Geography and a Secondary Teaching Qualification in the same subject. I have a CNAA Diploma in Educational Technology. I have my International Computer Driving Licence. Which do you consider more valuable? Formal education or skills and why? Skills without doubt. The body of knowledge is expanding at break neck speed and what we teach today is of little value tomorrow. We must focus on teaching skills which are adaptable and training people how to learn for themselves. Describe the benefits of working with others I take great professional satisfaction in motivating individuals to perform to their full potential. I enjoy passing on the benefits of the huge width of experience I have gained in education over the years to others starting out in the field. I enjoy working with and around young folk as it keeps me alert, challenged and 'in touch'. Describe the benefits of working alone I work alone to polish and perfect projects or to devise strategies. These however have to be implemented within a context and delivered by others to be successful. As such, working with others is a much bigger portion of what I do. What was your worst working experience? I have had a wonderfully varied career. I have had many challenges, crises and frustrations to deal with but I have enjoyed every single different experience. If I had to single out one I would not wish to repeat it was leading the British International School of Jakarta, Indonesia through the riots associated with the descent from power of President Suharto in 1997-8. What is the most important lesson you have learnt throughout your career? In management it is often not about making the right decision but about making a decision and then making it right. By this I mean that the effective managers don't fail becauise they make their decisions effective by the sheer hard work and commitment they place behind them. What unique skills do you have? I am an original thinker in terms of educational systems and management. I customise solutions to problems using the experience I have accumulated over the years. I work well with others especially staff from the host country. I am firm and consistent in my management and staff respect the stability that brings to their working environment. I am physically fit with a lot of energy despite being 62 years of age. I write extremely well and can produce accurate and incisive reports very quickly. What would you consider as your 'dream job'? At the moment, any challenging and meaningful role in education within Guyana to enable me to live and work there. My current post in China is exactly what I would wish for at present other than to be in Guyana. What are the most interesting aspects of your field? The constant variety that working in education offers the committed individual. No two days are the same, no two problems have the same solution. What are the least interesting aspects of your field? Possibly financial management and budgetary control although it is a very necessary component. What could you give your next employer? A unique store of experience in international education at a price affordable to a developing country in return for the opportunity to live and work in Guyana and make a meaningful contribution to Guyanese education. How can potential employers contact you? It is best that I am contacted by e.mail at any of the following addresses: john.birchall@dipont-edu.com john.birchall@dipont-edu.org johnhbirchall@yahoo.co.uk Telephone Mobile in China: 00 86 137 8891 8454 | 
