Gerry Lyons

Improvement and Leadership Consultant

[Harry Eccles @Heccles94]

I seem to have upset the @Nigel_Farage fan club - so let me be clear.

This man sows hate, lies and division.

He is a grifter and a conman.

He does not represent the vast majority of Britons.

RT if you agree

P.s. multiculturalism is great.

[Mr PitBull Stories @MrPitbull07]

"I’m 79. My name’s Agnes. I walk to Oakwood Elementary every Tuesday and Thursday at 2:45 p.m. Not for my grandkids, I don’t have any. I go for them. The kids waiting for parents who are late. Again.

It started three years ago. I saw Miguel sitting alone on the school’s concrete steps, tracing math problems in the dirt with a stick. His mom worked double shifts at the canning factory. His homework was smudged with tears.

I didn’t say much. Just pulled a folding chair from my tote bag (I carry it everywhere, bad knees) and sat beside him. "Show me where you’re stuck, mijo," I said. He flinched like I’d startled a bird. But he showed me.

I was a teacher for 42 years. Fractions, state capitals, how to hold a pencil, I know them like my own heartbeat. That day, we solved 3 problems in the dirt. When his mom finally rushed up, breathless and apologizing, I just nodded. "He’s got a good mind," I told her. Her eyes got wet. Not from sadness. From being seen.

Next week, I brought my old teacher’s stool and a clipboard. Set up under the oak tree across from the school gates. No sign. No fanfare. Just me, my red pen, and a jar of butterscotch candies.

Kids started coming. Not all at once. First Miguel. Then Aisha, whose dad’s truck broke down again. Jamal, who whispered, "My grandma’s sick." I never asked why parents were late. I just opened my clipboard.

Some days, I only helped one child. Other days, five crowded around my stool. I taught multiplication tables while braiding Maya’s hair. Showed Leo how to write his name in cursive on a foggy window. Never took money. Never called the school. This wasn’t their job. It was ours.

Then came Mrs. Chen. She stood at the edge of the sidewalk for weeks, watching her daughter Linh hover near my bench but never approach. One rainy Thursday, Mrs. Chen finally walked over. Her hands shook. "I failed school," she admitted in broken English. "I can’t help her." I slid my stool aside. "Sit," I said. "Today, you do the math. I’ll hold the umbrella."

Last month, the principal found me packing up in the rain. "We’ve had complaints," he said gently. "About ‘unauthorized tutoring.’" I braced for the end. But then Linh ran over, dragging her mother. Aisha brought her little brother. Miguel stood tall beside his mom, the one who once cried on the steps. Twelve parents and kids formed a circle around my soggy stool. "This bench stays," Miguel told the principal. "Or we all leave."

Today, the PTA provides the folding chairs. Retired nurses check kids’ ears for infections. A barber gives free trims. But the homework bench? That’s still mine.

Last Tuesday, Linh placed a college acceptance letter on my clipboard. "You taught me numbers," she said. "But you taught Mama something bigger." She pointed to Mrs. Chen, now helping a boy sound out words. "You taught us we’re not broken."

I packed up my red pen that night, my hands steady for the first time in years. Here’s what nobody tells you about growing old, The world doesn’t need your savings or your spare room. It needs your stubborn, ordinary love. Show up. Sit down. Make space. The rest will grow around you like wildflowers through concrete.”

Let this story reach more hearts....

By Mary Nelson

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

@MichelleKersha7 @TBF_Glasgow @DYWGlasgow @CofGCollege Well done Chelle. So well deserved. I know how hard the team work for young people in Glasgow and how brilliant you all are. Great to get the recognition.

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

Really interesting. How does this relate to our Curriculum Improvement Cycle in Scotland?

[Tes magazine @tes]

We don’t just have an attendance problem, we have an engagement problem – but we can learn a lot from the way Chicago has turned around its school system, says trust CEO Becks Boomer-Clark
https://t.co/jfUZfWXMkH

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

@RSteven36808818 Ok. No

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

To middle leaders: what do you do which has the biggest impact on your team’s effectiveness?

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

@RogersHistory No

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

@Headteacherchat Yip. Hardest year of my career, but still the best job in the world. You’ll build confidence and see the school improving, all good from there.

[Mrs Moroney @MrsMoroneyEng]

Just when you thought you were ‘done’? Naw, ye arenas! New display coming on a treat. We are never ‘done’ with our learning! #fastfinisher #BGE #Senior

[DYW Glasgow @DYWGlasgow]

It's here! Say hello to yattle, a youth-focused recruitment app transforming how you connect with early talent.

Built by young people and employers - launched by @Glasgow_Chamber & Glasgow Futures.

🔗 https://t.co/3QzRN52prX

[Michelle Kershaw @MichelleKersha7]

Say hello to yattle, a youth-focused recruitment app transforming how you connect with early talent. @DYWGlasgow - support @GlasgowCC young people #TowardsBetterFutures @TBF_Glasgow 👇

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

@johnvincentkane @eurofootcom @PartickThistle They’ll be gutted to hear that 🤣

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

“Checklists seem lowly and and simplistic, but they help fill the gaps in our brains and between our brains.” Atul Gawande

Superb working with headteachers on a raising attainment checklist. Happy to share checklist with others and offer a free consultation on its use.

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

Working with headteachers mentioning they work every Saturday and Sunday. Unhealthy, unsustainable,not good for families. I can help you to leadwithout having to work like this. Email or DM for a free workload chat. #healthyleaders

[email protected]

[Mary Myatt @MaryMyatt]

High Challenge, Low Threat

If we are serious about an ambitious curriculum, then we need to start here.

With challenge.

Not challenge for the sake of it.

Not challenge that overwhelms or humiliates.

But challenge that stretches.

/1

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

Great end to the week. Working with aspiring Middle Leaders in Holyrood yesterday and Middle Leaders in the Royal High today. So many good people. #leadinginthemiddle

[Secret Headteacher @secretHT1]

One thing I couldn’t do headteachering without?

My wife and family.

In a job which can be so very lonely at times, a support network outside school is so vital.

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

@Headteacherchat Pop in briefly, say hello to people, and then leave quickly and quietly, always home for Match of the Day or the golf.

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

If I can support you in any way on your journey, just drop me a note on here or at [email protected]

[Gerry Lyons @GL1718]

And “A fresh perspective and a level of insight and challenge for us that provided real impetus for further improvement”