Introducing: Grietje Dijkstra of the Groene Golf
De Groene Golf, the youth department of the AOb, was already busy with the elections recently, on March 17 next year. “Right now that the programs are being written, we are trying to put our points in the spotlight,” says Grietje Dijkstra, director of the Groene Golf for several months.
Image: Rob Niemantsverdriet
Are you bothered by the corona measures when lobbying?
"That was not that bad. The agreements with various MPs were already fixed months ago. They could continue as usual, but now of course via a video meeting in Microsoft Teams or another app. That works fine. "
Are we becoming digitally more useful in this crisis?
“Every day I sit at the laptop to keep in touch with my mentor group. To see how everyone is doing, but also to go through the planning of the day. The lessons from me and other teachers continue. We can no longer see a screen at night. ”
What are you doing?
“I teach Dutch in secondary vocational education to non-native speakers. I prepare them to obtain a basic qualification that will enable them to continue in the Dutch education system. The remote contact with my mentor group is going reasonably well. But not everyone reports every day. Some of them really worry me. ”
Tell?
“There are mainly refugees in my mentor group. With the necessary trauma. They often find themselves in a crisis situation with many people, small housed. They do not receive government information properly. Some don't dare to go outside at all. Maybe they are fine, maybe not. I'm in the dark at this point, because they don't answer the phone either. ”
You sound involved and enthusiastic about education. Have you always been like this?
"Not really! After the teacher training college I definitely did not want to go to education. I experienced too many limitations in my freedom as a teacher due to teaching methods and top-down schedules. That doesn't make me happy. As a gap year I started working as a teacher for an International Transition Class, an ISK. That work was great and I ended up staying for three years. A young sparkling team, a great target group and plenty of room to develop myself and playfully use the teaching methods. A warm bath. That is why I have been working in education for five years now. ”
And now also for the Green Wave?
“After obtaining my second-degree qualification, I suddenly had time to spare. I have been a member of the since my teacher training college AOb and therefore saw this vacancy come along. After an initial acquaintance, I attended a meeting. I liked it and the others liked me. So now I belong. ”
What do you want to achieve?
“We want more career opportunities. We are also strongly against shortened training programs to solve the teacher shortage. We also want a better induction period and better guidance for starters by experienced colleagues. ”
What lies ahead for the near future?
“We will meet with the politicians this spring and plan follow-up appointments. We want to have a debate with them next fall, together with a room full of starters. Let's hope that the corona measures are then withdrawn. Vulnerable children are now the hare. This crisis increases inequality. ”
