Teachers work in a challenging environment – having to cope with limited resources, overcrowded classrooms, learners who are often uninspired about their future, dealing with lesson plans, marking and admin – all this while trying to make a meaningful difference. In an effort to address this situation and provide teachers with additional skills and knowledge to transform education, the SABC is hosting the 10th EduWeek at Gallagher Estates on June 29 and 30.
‘Education for sustainable development’ is the theme, chosen to support the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. EduWeek brings together leading global educators, leaders, strategic thinkers and entrepreneurs to network and address five important themes: Early childhood development; basic education; higher education; inclusive education and educational technology.
The importance of goal-setting is one of the higher education topics at EduWeek and presenting this is Gary Hirson,
author, life coach, motivational speaker, and photographer. ‘My talk addresses why the imagination is so important and will outline a step-by-step process to achieving one’s goals,’ he says. ‘Learners are our future so it is vital we equip them not only with a good education but also optimism and life skills to help ease their transition from school to university or the business world.’
Hirson says that highlighting the importance of goal-setting to educators will take them on a journey of self-discovery as they rediscover their own goals. This, in turn, will help them inspire and motivate their learners to dream, believe, set goals and achieve.
‘Successful business leaders and entrepreneurs have one thing in common – setting goals.’ says Hirson. ‘All will say that initially they had a dream, which led to putting goals and plans in place and then hard work made the dream become a reality. Whether it’s Elon Musk, Richard Branson or Steve Jobs, they are quick to admit that there were failures, hiccoughs and stumbles along the way but that they stuck to their goals and never gave up.’
It all sounds simple and achievable but the reality is that far too few of us have the drive and knowledge to set the right goals in order pursue our dreams. He says, ‘To assist learners to be successful we need them to identify their individual strength, talent, and passion, to make them believe in themselves, that they are good and strong enough to turn their dreams and goals into a reality.
‘Motivational speaker, Tony Robbins, says it so succinctly: Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into visible and that’s the aim of my Eduweek presentation,’ says Hirson. “It’s about highlighting different perspectives related to self-worth, abilities, and journey towards dreams – whether it be improving grades, being chosen for the first team or accepted into the university of choice.
Gary Hirson’s presentation is at 3.30pm on Wednesday, June 29, his company, Calm in Storm, will also be exhibiting. For more information on Eduweek go to www.educationweek.co.za.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gary Hirson is a qualified NLP and Life transformation coach, a professional photographer, author, motivational speaker and
entrepreneur. He regularly appears on SABC 2’s Hectic Nine-9 programme. Following from EduWeek he will be facilitating a half-day goal-setting workshop for high school learners, in association with Student Brands, on July 1. www.calminstorm.com