This is the second in a monthly series of 10 questions with teachers of RME. It would be great to get as many teachers as possible to take part. Please follow this link to select the questions.
This month we have Dr Constantinos Athanasopoulos from Kingussie High School. Many thanks for these Constantinos! You have replied to more than 10 questions, but your responses are so fascinating that we’ve included all of them.
What motivated you to become an RME/ RERC/ RMPS teacher?
Teaching about subjects that fascinate me.
What is your favourite thing to teach?
Christianity, Buddhism, War studies, Holocaust Studies, 5 steps to tyranny, Human Rights, Philosophical Questions.
Why do you think RME is so important? What is your favourite thing to teach?
Values and character education.
Why do you think RME is so important?
Makes me think and learn more about religions and philosophy and how they relate to our world today.
What advice would you give to a prospective RME/RERC/RMPS teacher?
Do not give up! The Future of Scotland depends on you!
How do you see RME/RERC/RMPS evolving in the future?
I want to see more values and character education and more serious work being done in teaching philosophical enquiry at schools and Christianity.
What is your biggest triumph?
PhD in Philosophy.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned?
Never give up. Find always alternative ways to continue in your efforts.
Do you have any interesting/ funny stories from the classroom?
Co-operative learning that it was too fun to stop. Pupils refused to go to the next class they had…
If you could change anything about RME/RERC/ RMPS what would you change?
More character and values education.
Where would your dream school trip be?
Greece; Essex visit Monasteries (Orthodox); Buddhist Monastery in Scotland.
Who would you love to invite to your classroom to speak to your pupils?
Holocaust survivors.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Do not give up! Go go go!
What has been the most beneficial CPD you have attended/been part of?
Glasgow- NARME meeting; St Andrews- Philosophical Enquiry for Schools meeting.
Who was your most inspirational teacher/ lecturer? What made them stand out for you?
Jesus and Gandhi.
Who was your most inspirational teacher/ lecturer? What made them stand out for you?
Teachers I had in Uni.; took a special interest in my learning and my effort to overcome obstacles in my learning.
Did you always want to be a teacher?
As a young pupil I wanted to become an expert in all things (degrees in all subjects). Then I wanted to become a Philosopher, right now one of the things that take most of my time is teach RMPS Secondary.
If you have created any new courses what topics do they cover and why?
Christian responses to animal farming; I am taking part in CEFAW project.
If you were in charge of education what changes would you make and why?
Make the RME/RMPS Curriculum more orientated towards values and character education; place more emphasis on Christianity and Philosophy.
If you could be anywhere else right now where would you be and who would you be with?
Greece with my family.
What do you do to switch off after a day at work?
Watch comedy in You tube.
What podcasts, websites, books etc would you recommend to colleagues?
Too many: send me an email.
If you were to describe yourself as a kitchen implement what would it be and why?
I would not describe myself in this way.
How do you answer a pupil who asks “are you religious?”
Yes, but I am employed here to teach you religious and non-religious perspectives.
What advice would you give to colleagues unsure about tackling some of the more ‘controversial’ topics.
Co-operative learning activities.
What would you like to see from STARME in the future?
More sharing of resources; online co-operation and verification exercises.
Why did you join STARME?
Communicate and network with colleagues; influence SQA standards.
How can people find you? e.g. Twitter handle*
email, Facebook, Twitter.
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