Julie Boyd

Julie Boyd is Director and CEO of Global learning Communities International and Managing Director of the Working Futures Group. She is a teacher (K-university), author, psychologist, curriculum developer, publisher, administrator and international facilitator of programs designed to create local and global learning communities. She designs, develops, coordinates and implements programs for schools, businesses, universities and communities based on the principles of effective learning and teaching and organisational growth. She works to enable education systems and schools to become more human to develop organisations and people which model their espoused theories, and to bring together for mutually effective outcomes schools, businesses and higher education. Julie Boyd was awarded Telstra Tasmanian Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999 and inducted into the 2000 Australian Businesswomans¹ Hall of Fame.

Interview with Julie Boyd

At a fascinating point of developmental opportunity. What we know about learning and education has changed so radically over the past decade that to take an integral approach to true lifelong learning which is also authentically developmental is very exciting and impacts every aspect of both learning and the function of educational systems. The advent of the Digital Age heralds an even more challenging era as teachers try to come to terms not only with changes in learning, but changes in technology and the mechanisms for delivering learning as we build both physical and digital learning communities.

What improvements would you recommend for a better education system in Australia? 

Recruiting of new teachers who are experienced in other fields of endeavour, Providing professional development experiences which enable 'hands on' opportunities for teachers to experience new technologies and new ways of approaching learning. Seriously addressing the issues of teacher wellness and resilience, and re-evaluate our approaches to curriculum and assessment.

What needs to be done to retain and improve the quality of teachers in Australia? 

Recruiting of new teachers who are experienced in other fields of endeavour, Providing professional development experiences which enable 'hands on' opportunities for teachers to experience new technologies and new ways of approaching learning. Provide  non-financial incentives and rewards. Build teacher professional esteem and worth. Remove teachers who are in the profession but not wholly committed to kids and learning. Create mentor systems where mentors are from outside as well as inside education.

Why do you believe that schools need to be a collaborative learning community and how would one develop such an initiative? 

This is difficult to answer in a short sentence in view of the fact that I run 5 and 10 day programs to explore our frameworks related to this very issue. Creating a Collaborative Learning Community is a highly complex endeavour, highly dependent on intent of participants. Relationship development and management is crucial. My frameworks tend to focus on a systemic and evolutionary approach to the creation of collaborative learning communities.  Leadership is a crucial issue and (I believe) needs to focus on four major aspects a) Being visionary enough to create a shared vision, b) Being a healer in terms of healing both people and systems, c) Seeing yourself as a teacher and taking care of the little things as well as the macro picture, and d) Being a ''wise warrior' and knowing what's worth fighting for!'

Do you think that the Australian political and educational system does enough to encourage, support and challenge teachers? 

No- I think it does too much to institutionalise them.

As a businesswoman, what motivates you to a take on the challenges you have and what forms of support have you relied on in your personal and professional life? 

The challenge of learning something new from each person I meet. The opportunity to assist people to make a difference in their own lives. The chance to live and work 'outside the box' and challenge people's thinking- and institutional policies! The chance to do what I really love. My supports- my family, my friends and colleagues. I believe in sustaining others in order to be able to sustain myself.

Who are your mentors or role models? What do you admire about them?  

My mentors have always been people who have inspired me for different reasons- my year 8 science teacher for his attitude towards learning, a business partner for the way she showed me how not to treat people, my children from whom I continue to learn on a daily basis, business partners and colleagues their brilliant minds, a dying friend for teaching me how to live, !! My mentors are not the famous- but rather I see each person I meet as a mentor. My role models- I don't believe in trying to emulate any one person but rather characteristics from a variety of people put together in a way that may be construed as bizarre- e.g. a Machiavelli and the Dalai Lama, Richard Branson and Tina Turner, my office manager who began paid work at 40, Tenzin Palmo, Ghandi, Angeles Arrien !

I believe everyone needs to see themselves as a leader- i don't see myself as special in any way and I have always seen my strength as being to help people achieve the best that they can.

What vision are you striving to achieve within the next five years? 

I still want to change the world!!!!

What key elements do you attribute the success of your business ventures to? 

I tend to think differently to the men I work with which can be a huge advantage to both sides. 

Women educators have been fantastic but they do not understand business process at all. In business I have found it difficult, but increasingly easier to find women who understand finance and business strategy. The women in my life have been either extremely supportive or unbelievably challenging because of their business naievete. I do have a female accountant, a female office manager in Australia and new Zealand, two female office managers in America who are all brilliant and who are able to balance the support/challenge roles perfectly. My mother has always been wonderful and I could not have built my companies when I was a single mother with teenage children without her support.