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Introducing Faye Sierota

Gary Seath 2 months ago

Media Participation
We are delighted to introduce Faye Sierota to our team, who is our new Youth Participation Worker for the West of Scotland.

Faye is presently working with our armed forces ambassadors at Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh to co-produce a project that informs those around them about the lives they live and the challenges they face.

With a passion for home transformation, cooking, and travel, culminating in an unforgettable experience of teaching Maasai tribesmen in rural Tanzania, we were keen to find out more.

What inspired you to apply for this role with Forces Children Scotland?

“As a military spouse and mother, I have a lived experience of all the challenges children and young people must face about regularly moving and integrating into new communities.

I am a trained primary school teacher and I saw this job and thought how great it would be to combine my teaching skills with my knowledge of life in a military family and be a pillar of support for children and YP in this area.”

 

What will you bring to the role in terms of knowledge, skills, and experience?

“My unique blend of experiences as a primary school teacher in diverse environments, coupled with the joys and challenges of motherhood, have equipped me with a rich tapestry of skills and insights.

I feel that I bring not only a deep understanding of educational needs to the role but also a personal connection to the military community, which will undoubtedly enhance my ability to empathize and connect with both educators and families.”

What are you looking forward to most regarding your new role?

“I am looking forward to getting into schools and meeting the children and YP from military backgrounds to work with them and help their voices be heard.

I am particularly looking forward to working with children from Early Years settings to better understand how they view their lives with a serving person, as Early Years was my specialism and passion, and it is something that has not been done much.”

 

How are things going so far – How are you settling in?

“Things are going well so far; I have had a gentle introduction to Forces Children Scotland and had time to speak with different members of the team over the summer.

I am now starting to do sessions in schools and nurseries around Helensburgh and I am excited to get to know more about the lives of military children and contribute to positive changes in their lives.”

Tell us more about teaching in rural Tanzania

“Teaching in rural Tanzania was an incredible and humbling experience that, for me, embodied the essence of cultural exchange and educational outreach.

The Maasai are known for their rich traditions and semi-nomadic lifestyle, and they live in remote areas where access to formal education is usually limited so I felt incredibly privileged to be doing this.  Although I was there to teach, I also learned so much from the Maasai’s unique way of life.

I faced many challenges during my time there; language barriers, differing educational backgrounds, and the need for culturally sensitive teaching methods were just a few of the hurdles that we had to overcome… but the most difficult by far was living ‘off grid’.

For the Maasai, education is a gateway to new opportunities; a means to preserve their culture while also engaging with the wider world. For me, it was a profound journey of professional and personal development.

I was bowled over by their kindness and resilience, and I have forged lasting bonds. My experience was a testament to the power of education to unite people across different walks of life, and to the enduring spirit of the Maasai people who strive to keep their traditions alive while embracing new knowledge.”

 

Do you work with children and young people from armed forces communities in the West of Scotland?

Get in touch with Faye by clicking the button below.

 

Contact Faye