Youth Workin' It

Consultancy and Resources for Youth Workers and Organizations Worldwide

Youth Work In Schools In The UK – Guest Post (part 3)

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Today is the third and final part of Mince’s guest post about youth work in schools in the UK. Check out the first post here and the second post here.

Youth Work in Schools in The UK – Part 3

Now that you’ve been warned of the most common pitfalls, here are some top tips for doing youth work in schools:

  1. DON’T DO IT. (haha just kidding, but really, um… yeh)
  2. Find out as much as you can about the school beforehand. Knowledge is power!
  3. Prep 3 or 4 different lessons, because then you can be a bit flexible. Maybe bring up to 8 short activities, and then use the 3 that the group seems most likely to respond to. Mix it up.
  4. Get a good posh coat and wear it into the school. This will make teachers think you are a professional. Then take it off and show off your rockin’ jeans, hoodie and canvas shoes.
  5. Stay well fed and hydrated. It’s really embarrassing to pass out in a class. On that note, try to sleep too, you know, the night before you go. And troubleshoot all your logistical problems the day before, so you can focus. You need to focus!
  6. Get the teacher on your side. Praise the teacher, praise their class to them. They like that. Praise their amazing teacher voice. Teachers and youth workers can be suspicious of each other, but they shouldn’t be. We’re all working for the same thing, just in different ways.
  7. Bring a short video. Use the time that it’s on to rebuild your shattered self-esteem, breathe and meditate.
  8. Split them into groups. Be mean; don’t let them be in groups with their friends.
  9. Praise and reward the class.
  10. Praise and reward yourself! You rock!! It’s really, really hard to go in and teach even if you are a teacher, but you aren’t, and you just successfully blagged it for a whole lesson. Amazing. Give yourself a star-shaped sticker and a big glass/cup/bowl of whatever your poison is!

GOOD LUCK!!

 

Youth work in schoolsMince is a youth worker in England who doesn’t smoke but does have a lovely posh coat.

Question: What extra tips do you have for youth workers going in to schools? Please let us know in the comments below.

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