Coffee with Gill

One of our desires at PACE is to connect TCK education consultants with one another. We asked several of PACE’s Master Consultants to answer a few questions related to consulting and the advice that they would give consultants who are new to their role.

Our first article in this series features Gill Cheffy, who serves with Wycliffe Bible Translators UK. She has been an education consultant there for 14 years from the UK, and previously worked in Cameroon in literacy for 10 years. She enjoys walking: “nothing too strenuous most of the time but being out in the open is such a relaxation and therapy!”

So pour a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy some time with Gill!

What’s the most important thing that a new consultant can do to build trust with families?
For those new to the organization:
Showing interest in the family as a whole, explaining how you can help them in thinking through plans for the family – particularly help with long-term education plans for their children and advice and resources about transitions and listening to any felt needs they may have. Being available and keeping in touch at significant times for the family.

For those who have been in the organization for some time:
Showing an interest in the family as a whole, listening, not intruding but keeping in touch even if they seem to suggest they don’t need help. Being available.

About what issue are you most often asked by the families you serve?
The answer depends on the circumstances and life phase of any one family:
As families prepare for their assignment:

transitions, especially for very young children
language issues for children –

wider language of communication in area of work
language of education when not first language

As families return from assignment for Home Leave or longer:

Admission to schools (ages 5-18) in the UK
University entrance requirements and application process

What does a typical day look like for you?
Sadly more often than not sat at the computer: responding to emails, research on various topics relevant to overall work or in response to question from family, maybe a skype call with others who work in similar role in other agencies or with team within our international team.

How often do you travel?
Not often enough! Travel for conferences related to my role, some travel to visit families while they are training here in the UK, no travel (yet) to visit families once they are in their place of assignment

What homeschool curriculum do you see working really well for your families?
These days families use a variety of curriculum. Some of our families are particularly concerned to use a British based curriculum and for these families the following have proved to work really well:

WES (World-wide Education Service) – UK Pre-school and Primary system
This curriculum is quite expensive which can become an obstacle for families. There is some discount given for siblings but one is not meant to re-use the curriculum for different children in the same family.

NorthStarWorldwide – again UK for age 11-18
This allows students to take both sets of UK Public exams at age 16 and 18 so is a great plus for families who want to continue using a British curriculum. The family needs to find a registered exam centre where they can take the exams wherever they are living.

What is one of the biggest challenges that you see families on the field facing?
Generally in a number of the areas of the world stability is the biggest challenge. No matter how good a long-term plan one may have, external circumstances can disrupt life temporarily or long-term.

What are one or two of your favorite go-to websites that you consult when helping families?
iCHED www.iched.org

Sharing resources, supporting families and teachers overseas. Although this is a SIL site it is open to others.

What word of advice would you offer to an education consultant who is just starting out?

Find a group of others in a similar role and work with them – there is so much information and so much need depending on your particular focus that having others with whom you can discuss situations, from whom you can learn and to whom you can give as you develop your own expertise will be invaluable for the whole community whom we collectively serve. And there is really no point in re- inventing the wheel all over again!

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