Margaret has been national CPD Co-ordinator since May 2004. The CPD team aims to lead and support the development of world-class CPD for Scottish teachers. Currently her major area of interest within the team is in the development of leadership at all levels of our education system.
Prior to this post, she was an English teacher in Edinburgh for 28 years in a variety of posts, and also served as CPD Co-ordinator for City of Edinburgh Education Department for a few years.
She believes that CPD is important - for teachers, for the children and young people in our schools and for the future economic success of Scotland. Ambitious, excellent schools need teachers who have confidence and competence to deliver the new curriculum. High quality CPD can help achieve this, and she is proud to be in a position to contribute to this agenda.
Con has been a member of the CPD team since December 2005.
Prior to joining the team, he taught geography and computing studies for more than 20 years, was seconded to the Faculty of Education, Strathclyde University, to help with staff development in IT and was training manager for a CPD company specialising in the delivery of online CPD in ICT.
His key responsibility in the team is the CPD Scotland project, which aims to provide a one-stop shop for CPD in Scottish education and to encourage the use of Glow and other online tools in the management and delivery of CPD.
Jim joined the team from St Kentigern's Academy in West Lothian where he was Depute Headteacher and, among other things, assumed responsibility for learning and teaching policy, raising attainment and co-ordination of CPD.
Within the CPD team his main responsibility is as project manager of Flexible Routes to Headship. This pilot programme, funded by SEED, is designed to offer choice and flexibility for candidates as they progress towards achieving the Standard.
As project manager, he is involved in developments relating to self-evaluation strategies, emotional intelligence and coaching, which are integral features of the project.
Ruth joined the team in February 2007 and provides the vital administrative support to the CPD team from the Edinburgh offices. Her responsibilities include event management, first-line CPD guidance, communications with the CPD networks and generally keeping the team on track. Before joining us, Ruth worked as a PA to the Vice President at BAE Systems from 1996 - 2006 and and before that was PA to Robin Salvesen at Christian Salvesen PLC since 1978.
Sheila Smith joined the team in August 2008. Sheila has been working as CPD Coordinator in West Lothian Education Services for the last 8 years. Previously she worked in the secondary school sector teaching Modern Languages and English. Sheila has always had in interest in Adult Learning which she developed through teaching in a Community High School and in college evening classes. She has also worked as a volunteer in Adult Literacy. A desire to work in the area of CPD was a natural progression and she took on the role of School CPD Coordinator.
Her professional interests include networks, social capital and the particular cultures, environments and relationships which promote teacher learning. Recently leadership development has been a major focus of her work. She feels that CPD is now coming of age and believes wholeheartedly in the power of teacher centred, practice focused learning not only in terms of its positive impact on pupils but also in its ability to sustain and motivate teachers.
Before joining the National CPD Team in August 2008, Margaret was a member of the education directorate in Glasgow City Council, a post she held from 1996. Her main responsibility was Additional Support Needs across early years, mainstream, specialist schools and services.
She was also a lead officer in many aspects of CPD for all staff and responsible for commissioning a range of innovative approaches, working in collaboration with external professional bodies.
In her earlier career she was Principal Teacher of Support for Learning and Assistant Head Teacher before joining Renfrew Division of Strathclyde as Advisor in Special Educational Needs. Prior to taking up post in Glasgow she was an Education Officer in Renfrew.
In association with Education Scotland