Geography Teaching Today

Thanks for taking the time to have a look at this discussion.

Just to introduce myself, my name is Claire Wheeler and I am responsible for the Chartered Geographer (Teacher) accreditation here at the RGS-IBG. I hope that having looked at the CGeog (Teacher) pages on this site you are thinking of applying. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have.

I am also looking to set up regional CPD networks as part of this programme, for more details see the 'CPD ideas and guidance page' and contact me if you are interested in being involved at cgeogteacher@rgs.org

Do you teach in the Bristol area?

As part of the CGeog (Teacher) network we will be running FREE regional CPD in the Bristol area, starting on the 8th December. This CPD will be based on fieldwork, and will begin with a focus group of local teachers, leading to a project (or 2) based on the APG. If you would like to be involved please contact Claire at cgeogteacher@rgs.org
Spaces are limited for the first CPD session so register your interest soon.

Details of other CPD regions will be available here soon.

Please also contact me if you would like to lead a CPD network, or you are interested in getting involved.
Claire Wheeler, RGS-IBG

I have recently acquired CGeog status and urge others to join me! How often is it that there is the chance to be recognised and rewarded for professionalism and hard work in geography and at the same time have the incentive to complete subject-specific CPD? Isn't a love of geography the main reason for doing the job we do and yet so often we are railroaded by more general initiatives, whilst movement up the career ladder tends to equate to more admin and less geography! We teachers are the geographers at grassroots level, with the future of this fantastic subject in our hands, so there is a responsibility to enhance its status in whatever way possible; this accreditation, with the networking and 'voice' it can bring, is one way forward.

Firstly, Mary it was great to read your positive posting and I am in total agreement with all you say. I too have recently acquired the accreditation and would heartily endorse others to do so. Yes, it takes a bit of work and time but that in itelf is beneficial and enjoyable. Some reflection on all the good work that you are doing and actually seeing the good practice written down, reinforces your belief that you are really making a difference and doing some very worthwhile things, for the children, the development of geography in education and your own CPD. The accreditation affords a real extra bit of confidence and makes others take you that bit more seriously, for let's face it, not everyone gives geographers the recognition that they should do. I feel particularly strongly about this in our current global situation - there is, undoubtedly now, a crisis in our environment and what better subject, not just to understand it but to deal with it could there be than geography? We as practioners have a responsibility to the next generation to help them come up with solutions for dealing with the issues that will face them and so we are essential cogs in the wheel - thankfully there is now recognition of that and of our importance and potential as techers. CGeog is really doing something positive and inspiring - taking geography teachers another crucial step forward.

Being a CGeog has been great, even if I have had to explain what it means to some people. Once people recognise you for what you are, a Geographer who is passionate about the subject, they are very supportive and keen to support you and learn from you. Since becoming a CGeog I have taken on the role of local expert in teaching children and creating Geographers. It is great recognition and fills me with confidence when approaching the development of resources for schools in the UK and when I am selling the subject as the most important subject in any curriculum.

I am really interested in becoming a CGeographer along with a couple of people in the department. Everyone has posted positive comments, could some one let me know exactly what they had to do to get the award.
Thanks

Marie, it's really not onerous at all and there's lots of help and advice from the RGS - contacting Claire Wheeler will reassure you of that and she can answer any of the specific questions that you might have. They really have made the system as pain free as possible - writing the 1,000 word report isn't nearly as bad as it sounds and I actually found the self reflection really helpful - it crystalises exactly what you have been doing and makes you realise just what you have done and how important that is. The information that you need is on the web-site, basically it's writing the report, there's now an example on the site, providing any necessary accompanying evidence - documents, examples of ideas that you've had and so on, filling out the form, paying a small amount for the admin fees and then waiting! As it was part of my CPD, the school paid the fee - so enquire do about the possibility of that at your school. I would recommend that you get together with your colleagues who are also thinking of doing it and coming up with some ideas together. I would also check it out with Claire as well if you have any doubts etc. Do go for it though, as long as you fill the specified criteria I'm sure you'll have a really good chance. Am happy to answer any queries through this forum as well if you want!
Good luck with your application and I'll look forward to meeting you as a chartered geographer (teacher)!

Hi all,

I have just gained C Geog (teacher) and I am over the moon. As the above posts mention, it is really putting Geography and geography teachers on the map (sorry :-) )

I look forward to taking part in different CPD events, and hope there will be some down in Essex, where I live and work.

Merry Christmas

Paul

Many congratulations Paul - great to hear that you've got your CGeog status - it seems that there's loads of CPD going on at the moment especially with the Action Plan - worth looking out for what's around - are you near the Olympics site at all ? There's some great stuff around there happening - some good fieldwork ideas which Eleanor Coulber on the fieldwork section of this site knows all about - might be worth contacting her for some ideas.
Good luck, and a very Merry Christmas too!
Tessa

Just a quick note to say congratulations to all those who have just been awarded CGeog (Teacher) status! What a great achievement! It's also nice to see such a range of evidence being presented, and colleagues who are keen to get involved in the Action Plan projects. Throughout 2007 we will be holding events for Chartered Geographers- we look forward to meeting you all!

Well done again
Claire Wheeler
RGS-IBG Action Plan for Geography

DEADLINE UPDATE: The next 'soft' deadine for CGeog (Teacher) applications is 23rd March, for approval in June ready for the 2007-8 academic year.

Having spoken to numerous teachers over the past few months, I have noticed that many of you do not realise that the work you are doing already meets the requirements for CGeog (Teacher). Basically anything you are doing above and beyond of what is required of you as a 'regular' teacher counts as evidence towards the accreditation. This can include attending external inset courses, examining, mentoring trainee teachers, working with other schools in your area, creating your own website etc. If you are interested but are not sure whether your experiences count, please email a summary of what you do beyond the classroom to me at cgeogteacher@rgs.org. I can also provide some guidance on how you can make your application stronger.

It's time to get the recognition you deserve!

Claire

Hi Claire,

I'm really keen to have a go at the Chartered Geog status this year, but am in a bit of a perdicament about exactly what I can do to achieve it! I am Head of Geog at West Hill Park Preparatory School in Hampshire, and I now have 5 years experience in the post. My main job is to get my pupils through their Comon entrance & Scholarship examinations, but I do fair amount of fieldwork and set up the department's website (www.westhillpark.com and then look at the departments page) I do pride the department in making the subject interesting , and i have recently been out in the field taking my own video footage of spits, stacks& stumps etc to show the pupils.
Time is scarce here in Indep. Prep schools , but could you please give me some more pointers of what I can do to qualify for the CGeog status.

Thanks
Regards,

Alistair Gray

Hi Alistair

I'm pleased to hear you are thinking of appying for CGeog (Teacher) in the near future. As for gaining evidence towards the accrediation, there are a variety of things you can do (both in school and out) including:
Examining
Working with your local GA branch
Working with local schools, universities and businesses
Publishing your resources (textbooks, online, via organisations
Working with the RGS-IBG or GA (please contact us for more info)
Committees
Geography CPD and inset (attending, leading or contributing to)
Setting up international links
Geography club / sustainable schools programmes
Promoting geography within your school and community
Mentoring trainee teachers or other colleagues
Working on curriculum development
Engaging students in fieldwork
The list goes on....

Basically we look for teachers who can prove that they are going beyond what is required of them in an everyday role, and enhancing their professional development along the way. Many teachers I have spoken to have already gained a vast amount of evidence that will count towards CGeog (Teacher), particularly in the CPD / inset areas. If you are unsure if your evidence counts, please email me some details at cgeogteacher@rgs.org and I will let you know if you should include it in your application.

Many thanks
Claire

Hi Alistair
It sounds like you are doing lots of great things to really enhance the children's learning and also giving them some really good geographical experiences through fieldwork, using IT innovatively and so on. I taught for quite a while in the independent system and appreciate that it can feel as though your life is just about the school and the children. However all that you are doing is equally valid in any geographical teaching context, it is a question of disseminating that and getting it out to as many children and teachers as possible. That's what's great about CGeog satus as it ensures that you are continually developing professionally, getting out and about and meeting and networking with other people and sharing experiences and information in the geography community. Doing the application is an excellent tonic in self-reflection and really shows you just how much you are doing without often realising it. I'd highly recommend you go for it.

Good luck and keep up the good work!

Tessa