College Based Researchers

Anniesland:

Jim Carmichael; Janet Gray; Mike Ward; Rosheen Young

Lancaster and Morecambe:

David Jarratt; Tracey Kennedy;
Christine Phillipson; Sarah Wilcock; Andrea Wilson

Perth:

Roy Anderson; Joyce Gaechter; Ian Gibb ; Ronnie Gibb

Preston:

Sharon Aspden; Dave Brown;
Angela Brzeski; Christine Kendrick;
Joanne Knowles; Sandra Mulligan

After working as a civil servant, a technician, and from time to time as a stage manager - I became a mature student. I got a joint first in politics and economics, and went on to do an Mphil in labour economics and whilst working on it, taught at Glasgow Caledonian. For many years now I've worked as a Social Sciences lecturer at Anniesland College and carried out a variety of research projects of one kind or another at the same time. At the moment I'm working on distance learning packs, support materials for Higher Philosophy, and of course, the LfLFE project!

Mike is a part-time college based researcher based at Anniesland College, Glasgow.

He is a Multimedia tutor for the School of Computing and specialises in Digital Video and Audio Production, Digital Photography, and also teaches various other I.T. related subjects.

The units mike is researching for the LFL project are HNC Introducing the Internet, and Multimedia Technology (Higher).

I grew up in the 1970s in the Lake District and always had a strong interest in Tourism in that area as well as the more widely held interest in Travel. I studied Tourism at University & thoroughly enjoyed it. I ended up studying the impacts of tourism on the Lake District for my Masters Degree dissertation. I tried a high pressure sales job and hated it and decided that I should go with work in an area which truly interested me even, if the money wasn't great.

In a complete turn around I then worked for the National Trust in the North of England and managed to reach managerial level which had the perk of living in a Stately Home! After living in deepest Northumbria for a while I decided that I wanted to go into teaching - I had always enjoyed guiding and interacting with people. I went back to school to learn how to be a teacher and then decided to travel the world. I taught English in Japan and travelled Asia for nearly four years - high adventure all the way. On the eve of the new Millennium I found myself back in the UK with a background, and genuine interest in, both Travel & Tourism and Education - a position teaching Tourism seemed like an obvious choice. I have been working in said position for nearly four years and still don't have itchy feet - a good sign.

Trained as a Nursery Nurse. Worked in Nurseries, Primary Schools as NNEB working in reception Year 1 & 2 classes Worked supporting children with SEN Left education to become fast food rep (different) Back to NNEB to manage Creche for holiday centre (good fun) Private Nanny (fantastic money) Back to education in Primary School reception Year 1 & Year 2 classes / delivered early literacy support in conjunction with Literacy Strategy Whilst working continued with own education ‘A' levels / counselling / HNC / HND Childhood studies / BA Hons Education with combined studies 2:1 Subject specialism Early Years / Registered Teacher Scheme Qualified Teacher Status (hard work whilst working full-time and still had to pay for it all ! Lots of travelling between Kendal College / Preston University / Edge Hill College Chorley / St.Martins College Lancaster & Morecambe College Course Manager for level 2 Childcare Course / lecturer on level 1, 2, 3 courses / trained in and deliver Child Protection to childcare professionals / trained in birth to Three Matters / completed and attained NVQ assessors certificate A1 & A2 in childcare / do some part-time assessing when I can fit it in !!

As with most people in Catering and Hospitality it was something I fell in to almost by accident. After completing my A-Levels at a local grammar school, some friends of mine were going for a Higher National Diploma in Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Management at Lancaster and Morecambe College. It sounded good and I was already working in Catering so I decided to go for it.

After graduating in 2000 I stayed on at a local hotel. I was quickly promoted to Restaurant and Banqueting Manager: quite a responsibility at the age of 20. Itchy feet kicked in at 21 so I ventured down to the Cotswolds, working as a Bars Manager then Brasserie Manager and finally Spa Manager at one of the world’s most renowned hotels, The Lygon Arms. As I approached the end of my time there I started to consider the possibility of teaching; something I had always thought would be a great idea but never thought I would get the opportunity.

After moving back to my home town and a short stint as General Manager of a local bowling alley, I started teaching at the college I had studied at when I was in my youth! I taught practical restaurant and bar skills, supervisory qualifications, travel and tourism courses and Key Skills.

Sarah is now working as the Manager of a hotel in the Lake District.

Roy Anderson was the College-Based Research Coordinator Perth College for the first two years of the project.

He was seconded to the project from his post of Lecturer in the Academic Services Unit, teaching Communication Studies and English at various levels to a range of age groups.

Except for a two-year secondment in the Sultanate of Oman he has worked full time at Perth College since 1982.

I have worked at Perth College for the past seven years firstly as a lecturer in Childcare and Education, then as the Programme Leader of Childcare and Education and now as the Assistant Head of Faculty for Care and Social Sciences with responsibility for the Childcare, Care and Social Science Teams. I still have a teaching commitment teaching mainly on the Childcare and Education courses from Intermediate 1 up to degree level.

I originally trained as a primary teacher and my first job was working with adults with additional support needs in Strathmartine Hospital in Dundee. I then taught for two years in the United Arab Emirates. I moved to Switzerland and taught for twelve years in an international school the last five years of which I was the Deputy Headteacher. While in Switzerland I studied with the Open University for a Certificate in Professional Development and a MEd in Educational Management.

I returned to Scotland on a one year sabbatical and completed an MBA at The University of Abertay. At the end of my sabbatical leave I decided to stay in Scotland and subsequently came to work at Perth College.

I loved cooking from a very early age. I was one of the few lads to choose Home Economics in my fourth year at Perth High School and decided to attend Perth College 2 hours per week to study cookery. I left school at 15 after completing my '0' grades (my best grade was home economics - I also received the 'best pupil' award!) and started college full time on the City&Guilds General Catering Course and worked part time kitchen porter in a small hotel.

College was superb and I was 'top of the class' which was something new for me apart from cookery at school! The lecturers were so helpful and when I completed my course I started my chef apprenticeship with British Transport Hotels and continued studying at Perth for my 706/2. I followed the traditional HCITB company training scheme. I was promoted to Chef de Partie then Chef Tournant within the company and yet again studied at college to gain my 706/3. I was promoted to Junior Sous Chef then Sous Chef within the company and finally Acting Head Chef, which was an excellent achievement at 21 and in the early eighties!!

I enjoyed the pressures of the industry but in my heart I wanted to be a lecturer. To enhance my CV I wanted to work abroad although I had never been out of the UK . I was awarded an HCITB scholarship for America . WOW.. I made it!! This experience was mind blowing, working in a 440-bedroom hotel and studying at El Centro College , Dallas Texas .the social life was also pretty good!

After eleven months of my American experience, I received a telephone call from my senior lecturer at Perth offering me the post as chef lecturer and I was also offered a transfer to China from The Westin Hotel Company. I decided to return to my hometown college to take up what I really wanted to do even if it was just for 20 weeks! Well 21 years down the line I am still there - Promoted to Programme Leader for Tourism and Hospitality in 2002 and in my spare time I do Scottish Qualifications Authority duties - Principal Assessor for Hospitality. I enjoy every day at college, as no two days are the same. It has been very rewarding for me, as it has allowed me to constantly update my industry skills and academic qualifications although my main reward is seeing the potential in every student and helping to 'make it happen for them'.

Ronnie Goodman teaches music at the Faculty of Arts, Perth College (University of Highlands & Islands Project) and is a member of the HE Academy.

His specialist areas are Drumkit & Percussion and Composition & Arrangement. For the LfLFE project in the second semester the HN Unit that he will focus on is Composition & Arrangement.

In semester one he collaborated with fellow lecturer Nick Green from the Audio engineering dept to research NQ Live Sound In-house Production 1 for LfLFE.

I have worked as a lecturer in Further Education for 24 years, the past 13 years in a management role. My experience has been gained from four colleges from when I started as a part-time lecturer in 1980, to my present role at Preston College. The main part of my career has been at St Helens College in Merseyside where I worked for 20 years.

Prior to my full time career in FE, I started my working life as a Painter & Decorator working in the family business before eventually taking over the business from my father. I started teaching on a part-time basis whilst running my business. In addition to my vocational qualifications and the Certificate of Education, I recently completed a BSc. (Hons) in Organisation & Management at Edge Hill University College with Lancaster University.

I teach a group of mixed adults studying on a full-time painting & decorating Foundation Construction Award. This is a level one programme for anyone who is not currently working in the industry but is seeking to do so at some time in the future.

Dave has been appointed to Dean of Construction.

I graduated from Edge Hill College of Further Education in 1984 with a 2:1 Hons degree in English and, after attaining a range of secretarial skills, I started work as a Secretary/PA for a Director of a local company.

Seeking a new challenge, I undertook a full time PGCE in Secretarial Studies. I commenced working full time at Preston College in 1993 and have worked at the college ever since. I have taught on a variety of full and part time secretarial and administrative courses, from Vocational Access through to NVQ Level 4. I have experience of teaching16-18 year old students and adults, on the college site and in the workplace. I have recently started to make more use of my English background by teaching English to Vocational Access, GCSE and AS English students.

In 2003, I completed a Masters Degree in Education (through research). The focus of my research was the causes and effects of disruptive behaviour amongst 16-18 Further Education students and how this could be overcome. I found this fascinating. As a result, I recently enrolled on a PhD at Lancaster University . I am now focusing on the relationship between disengaged students and their literacy practices.

Away from work and studies, I live in a beautiful, semi-rural village in Lancashire . To keep fit, I play as much tennis as possible. I am a member of a local health club and a local tennis club. I also enjoy listening to music (Elvis Presley is my hero) and driving around the local roads and countryside in my little Micra.

Began career working in administration but, at the same time, started off teaching adults typing and word processing in the evening. Then moved to training and assessing apprentices on the Business Administration programmes after having children. Worked at Preston College for nine years teaching on the NVQ Business Administration Levels 1-3 and latterly the OCR Administration programmes Levels 1-3.

Joanne Knowles worked as a nursery nurse for 6 years before becoming a nursery manager for 2.5 years. She then went into teaching in further Education, which she saw as "a natural progression". She loves teaching and thoroughly enjoys her work.

She is currently the BTEC Placement Coordinator at Preston College , which means that she supports and encourages the students in the work place as well as teaching them in college.

I left school with 2 ‘O’ Levels in 1978, worked in an office for a bit and then entered nurse training. I have come to teaching as a second career having injured my back and retired from nursing when I was 30. I had a couple of kids and became bored at home, so I went to the local college to do a Diploma in counselling. Having been bitten by the education bug I went on from there to university and did a BSc (Hons) in Biology.

In the final year of my degree I got divorced and decided to do a PGCE as there was a bursary attached to it and I would have money coming in for the next year! I found that I loved teaching and feel very fortunate to be in a second, very enjoyable, career.