Page 5 - ELG1710 Oct Issue 451

WELCOME .
EDITOR’S LETTER

Appoint a busy woman –

you’d be a fool not to.

theteam
A critical mass of women will come into management positions only
when there are enough role models to inspire them, writes Irena Barker IRENA
BARKER, editor,
I was up a windswept hill in the driving rain with my three young studied French
children when I first shouted the word ‘idiot’ at one of them. My middle and linguistics at
Durham, UK and
child was standing at a 45 degree angle in the howling wind atop a vast taught English in
cairn with his raincoat wide open. He was rummaging in his bag for a France for two
KitKat. ‘What do you think you are doing, you idiot?’ I yelled, beckoning years. Her subsequent 15-year
frantically to him to come further down to a more sheltered spot. ‘Looking career in UK news journalism
for my KitKat!’ he called, his voice trailing away with the wind. includes reporting for local and
From that day forth, my children have felt that it is completely regional newspapers, a news
agency and a 10 year stint at the
acceptable to yell ‘idiot!’ at any opportunity. It does not matter how many Times Educational Supplement
times I tell them it is rude and not an acceptable form of address, it is now their FAVOURITE magazine.
word. Of course, this was a solid lesson in how poor role-modelling can wreck everything a
parent has worked for. They will almost always copy what you do, but almost never listen to you MELANIE
(unless you are swearing or yelling ‘idiot’). But BUTLER,
imagine what good role models could achieve if editor-at-large,
For more role models poor ones can be this effective. started teaching
EFL in Iran in
On page 16 Ella Tyler says ELT and
to emerge, schools and international education have a ‘moral 1975, she worked
for the BBC
other employers need to obligation’ to lead the way in encouraging World Service,
Pearson/Longman and Modern
walk-the-walk and develop women to push forward in their careers and English teacher magazine before
taking over at the Gazette in
become managers and decision makers in the
a culture that allows industry. And she’s absolutely right. 1987 and also launching Study
Travel magazine. Educated in
Through her organisation Lead5050,
women and men to excel she and colleagues are providing excellent ten schools in seven countries
she speaks fluent French and
Spanish and rather rusty Italian.
alongside each other role models of strong confident women in CLAUDIA
leadership roles. But we need more.
It is easy to talk a good game about CIVININI, chief
promoting women but things will only change reporter,
when women coming through the ranks won a scholarship
to teach Italian
can see numerous other women who have in Australia in
succeeded – without paying a price. 2009, where she
For more role models to emerge, schools qualified as a state school teacher
and other employers need to walk-the-walk in 2010. Bilingual in English and
Italian, she joined the Gazette
and develop a culture that allows women and as head of research in 2014
men to excel alongside each other. No amount after teaching for five years. She
of words and female empowerment internet specialises in data journalism
memes are going to achieve this. It is down to and research news.
individuals in their everyday actions to achieve.
An important aspect of this culture change is ANDREA PÉREZ
for people to ignore stereotypes. EGIDO, online
Don’t underestimate the motivation of a and production
working mother, for example. Do not presume manager,
has a BA in
she wants to ‘take it easy’ or miss out on that Journalism from
foreign trip. Allow people to do things ‘their Complutense
way’ if it is effective. Don’t let the phrase ‘job share’ bring you out in a rash. Talk to women University, Madrid and a Masters
in Corporate Communications
about their needs – and, above all, what they have to offer. It may be simpler to promote a from Kingston University,
mediocre childless man, but a busy woman with a family to worry about might actually turn out London. She previously worked
to be the better appointment. on the international desk at the
Try it and see. You’d be an idiot not to. IRENA BARKER, Spanish newspaper La Razón.
She joined the Gazette as online
EDITOR and social media editor in 2015.

editorial@elgazette.com 5