I’m a teacher, a senior leader, a researcher and and a parent. I’m a stubborn optimist and privileged to be part of a wider community of educators.
Those that can…
I’m a teacher, a senior leader, a researcher and and a parent. I’m a stubborn optimist and privileged to be part of a wider community of educators.
Those that can... 
Hi there Emma,
I have been reading your blog and enjoying all your thoughts on your senior leadership role. I know you have lots on your plate but I was wondering if you had considered writing a book for teachers to share some of your wise words? If this is of any interest at all, I would be delighted if you could get in touch with me here at Bloomsbury (helen.diamond@bloomsbury.com).
Thanks
Helen
Hi, I just read your article in this week’s TES magazine. I wish I had read it a few months ago. Having recently returned back to work following mat leave I had to give up my role as a senior leader because I was told senior leaders can’t work part time even though I have a proven track record of being one of the strongest leaders in school. I am a part time class teacher and though I love having extra time at home with my young family and love teaching, I feel trapped and frozen in time. I feel that my expertise are not being used and I have to sit quietly and get on, I don’t know where my career path will go next but it seems very unlikely it will move on to the position I know that I am most capable of. I read your article and for the first time in a while I felt hopeful…
Thank you
Hi – Just picked up this message. Would be really interested in a chat; though I don’t have the answers, necessarily! Just some ideas. Do you have an email address I could contact you on?
Emma I really want to read your thesis….really, really! Any chance?! I am just embarking on an EdD and my proposed title is around parenthood, Early Years and career ambition, as mine went out the window as the baby developed…I read your blog and I think you are brilliant. Anyway, if there is any chance of a sneak preview, I would love to read it.
Hi Aimee – sorry not to reply sooner. Drop me an email at emmakell@me.com and we’ll sort something!
Hello, I like stubborn optimist and am trying to encourage my daughter who is in her first term of primary school teaching and is totally snowed under by the workload she is being asked to undertake. She’s in an ‘outstanding’ school but most of the staff want to leave because of the expectation of daily marking of books, regular scrutiny and not being given her full allocation of PPA time. I’d like to put her in touch with people who have found a better way of primary teaching which doesn’t involve staying at school from 7:30am until 6:15pm. Any suggestions? I wonder whether the twitter community might help but don’t understand it well enough to recommend. Any suggestions gratefully received. Thanks. David
I read your book by chance after I’d handed in my notice. I was captivated by how much your words spoke to me. I had become one of that statistic (leaving teaching after 4 years). I had absolutely loved my job…in fact was known for my positive attitude and great relationships with staff and children. I had progressed from trainee to NQT to art lead, to English lead, to phase leader in that time and truly couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I loved Sunday nights as I would already be buzzing for Monday morning….and then it all fell apart. A year when for the first time ever I’d needed to ask for support, that there were a large number of children in my class that I couldn’t reach, couldn’t seem to support, that had needs that simply were not being met in the classroom. Unfortunately my pleas for help were not supported and so I struggled on. I found I couldn’t sleep, I lost weight, I lost my ‘bounce’, I doubted my ability and finally I lost all enthusiasm for the job I’d loved. Friends and family saw the huge changes in me and were so worried. Eventually I’d had enough. I left at Easter vowing never to return to a classroom again. I felt broken and let down. Your book spoke to me and made me realise that I wasn’t alone. Have just listened to your interview on Pivotal Podcast and again was inspired by your words. Thank you.