EwingOur Con Powell Memorial Scholars, past and present, have reunited for a special afternoon tea to celebrate ten years of the Scholarships programme for trainee Teachers of the Deaf.
During the event in York, Scholars developed a giant time line marking their progress over the last decade, noting the defining moments in their personal journeys and their careers. Four former Scholars shared their tips for getting the most out of the training and for moving into employment.
‘The event provided a lovely opportunity to review the last ten years, better understand what the Scholarships meant to people and encourage them to continue to share progress and support one another going forward,’ said Ewing Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Armstrong.
We hope that this gathering will be the first of many, and will encourage our alumni to ‘give back’ by sharing their learning with new Scholars and within the deaf education sector.
The Scholarships are named in honour of Con Powell, the first President of the British Association of Teachers of the Deaf (BATOD) and the first Chief Executive of Ewing Foundation. Each year, our grant making partner Ovingdean Hall Foundation (OHF) offers up to five Scholarships for teachers to train to become Qualified Teachers of the Deaf (QToDs). The Scholarships are managed by BATOD, with Scholars receiving support from Ewing Foundation staff. Over the past decade, 45 people have completed the programme.
Con Powell’s son Kevin sent a message on behalf of his family: ‘We’re delighted to know that so many people have benefited from the training bursaries over the years and that this helps in continuing the brilliant work you collectively do. Teacher training was always something close to our father’s heart, and it means a lot to us to know his contribution to deaf education is still being recognised. He would have been very proud, as we (and families) are, of this being enacted in his name.’
Thank you to all who attended – our Scholars, BATOD and Ewing colleagues, and to our Education Adviser Helen Martin who organised this special day marking ten years of supporting the next generation of deaf education professionals.
The Scholarships re-open in January 2023. Find out more.