Hello from Hollie B! 

Hello! Welcome to the E&M Booths second ever post (woo!)

Let me start by saying thankyou for entering this space and taking an interest in E&M Booth. I wanted to take the time to share with you some of my/our thinking and the journey of the E&M booth. 

The journey 

A few months ago, the talented, Sammy J White starred as a guest host on a teacher radio station. I was lucky enough to be invited to one of the shows and share some thoughts and ideas surrounding education – when I say Sammy is a natural, it does not do her justice! Anyway, a week or so later an idea sprung into my mind for Sammy. I sent her a voice note on WhatsApp and said why doesn’t she kick start an E&M podcast – She has always shown so much passion and patience for maths and her learners, I thought the sector need to see this. Not long after I sent it, could have even been minutes, she said replied… ‘lets do it’ – I was stopped in my tracks…could I do this? I didn’t even acknowledge myself doing it. A few hours later, Sammy had set us up on Anchor and the next day we recorded and well, the rest is history. 

Why a podcast? 

Podcasts are the in thing, right? All that aside, we wanted to create something which was easily accessible. We all absorb information in different ways. Our podcasts are short burst episodes and easy to find. Some teachers can only find a small amount of time to tune in on the morning commute others whilst sinking in a glass of wine. Regardless of how you listen or tune into other educational bits and bobs, teachers time is valuable and is limited. 

So what is the aim for the podcast? 

I could sit here and use all the buzzwords, sharing good practice, amplifying etc but essentially, for me it’s the space which is important. The space to share experiences and be heard. Allowing other E&M teachers to connect, sharing the stories which resonate with one another and being able to take something away from each podcast whether it be an idea, someone to follow on twitter or learning about others workplaces. Myself and Sammy have spoken in previous podcasts about the ongoing battle within the sector of being ‘lumped’ together as English and maths. It is important for those outside the departments to understand that we are put together as core skills but what we are dealing with in lessons could be similar but is different. An example of this is maths anxiety and the amazing research and training which has been put out there to address this issue found amongst many maths learners. Notoriously, dealing with behaviour can be demanding, but once understanding the underlying issues the motives are again different. 

What's next for the podcast? 

In all honesty, this is led by our listeners. We have had an overwhelming response of both listeners and educators wanting to be a part of the process. We are in the early stages but we want to keep amplifying voices, sharing experiences and all the inspiring work which is happening in FE including those voices who are championing E&M within their college in order to help us as E&M teachers see others perspectives and where we can work together, holistically to make the learner experience one which will be remembered and supported. 

In doing so we have opened our E&M Booth blog! We understand and appreciate that speaking on a podcast may not be for everyone, but no matter how long or short of a piece you have to say we want to hear from you!

So if you know someone or have someone in your team who is doing a sterling job then come forward and share with us. 

- Hollie B: Tuesday 4th May 2021