Working at Jewel & Esk

Eleanor Symms

Job

Lecturer in Integrated Curriculum Services

How long have you been at Jewel & Esk?

I have worked here since June 2001. (Previously, I worked in community-based Adult Literacies, as a Senior Community Education Worker with City of Edinburgh Council and before that with Lothian Regional Council.)

What does your job involve?

I am a Learning Support Lecturer, supporting a wide range of students on different courses who have additional learning needs. I also teach Communication and Study Skills, for students who have literacy and numeracy learning needs, on the part-time Adult Returners’ Course, for which I am also the course tutor. I teach Communication with students on the Bridging Programme courses. I also teach the Introduction to Arts and Crafts course for students on the Headstart Programme and Arts and Crafts with Bridging Courses students who are working towards learning new skills for the bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

What’s the best thing about Jewel & Esk?

I really enjoy working with students and being part of helping them to achieve their potential.

Tell us something about you…

As well as teaching at Jewel & Esk, I have always been interested in Art and I am currently studying on a part-time degree programme at Edinburgh College of Art.

John Telfer

Job

Lecturer in Electrical Engineering / Installation

How long have you been at Jewel & Esk?

5 Years

What does your job involve?

I teach a variety of Electrical courses that range from an Introduction to Construction Skills to Performing Engineering Operations.

What’s the best thing about Jewel & Esk?

The diversity of the students I am involved with that range from pre to post school leavers through to employed apprentices and who all bring individual qualities with them to the college.

Tell us something about you…

I have always been an outdoors person and my main sport is road cycling. I use the bike to commute to work as it keeps my training going as well as beating the traffic. I live in West Lothian, so it’s about 20 miles each way.  It’s an interesting route which takes me through the countryside to Balerno, through Colinton, Fairmilehead and on to Eskbank.

Cycling is certainly a good way to wake you up in the morning.  I feel more energised for the day ahead and the trip home allows me to unwind.

Kim Campbell

Job

Lecturer & Learning Assistant

How long have you been at Jewel & Esk?

I’ve been here just over a year, but was at Jewel & Esk for several months from Aug 2005 on placement.

What does your job involve?

My job is extremely varied.  As a Lecturer, I teach Music Industry Promotions & Management and Events Management.  This typically requires me to help students promote different events such as concerts, Halloween parties, race nights and retro games nights, usually with the proceeds going to charity.  I also teach Music Appreciation and Critical Listening which allows me to listen and discuss various types of music with my students and whenever possible, hear live music.  They’re great classes to find out about new music, both from the lecturer and from the students.

 My job as a Learning Assistant is even more diverse.  A significant amount of time is dedicated to helping students in their live performance classes.  In these classes, I work with students in the rehearsal rooms and help them prepare for their gigs with their class tutor.  I also coordinate the promotions and marketing of the students’ gigs as a Learning Assistant. 

At other times, you’ll find me organising to have the newest, up and coming bands stop by Jewel & Esk College to talk with the students and/or give a performance.  Previous artists included Justin Hawkins’ new band Hot Leg, Julian Velard, the King Blues and most recently, The Little Comets. 

Lastly, the other major aspect of my role as a Learning Assistant is to organise any other activities for the students, which included a trip to New York City and Boston last year.  16 students and 2 staff members went to the states for a music conference.  We managed to squeeze in some historical sight-seeing including CBGB, the John Lennon Memorial in Central Park, Broadway and Radio City Music Hall.  At the music industry conference in Boston, students had the opportunity to network with some of the biggest names in the music industry and listen to panel discussions on the topics that are most important to the success of the music industry today.  The staff and the students learned so much from this trip, that we’re currently looking into attending the conference again in March 2010, when it’s held in Miami, Florida!

I can also be found helping to organise placements with the music business students and teaching music theory to the musicians.

What’s the best thing about Jewel & Esk?

Working with the students is the best thing about Jewel & Esk.  The students I work with are really passionate about music.  They’re talented and opinionated and they know how to keep me on my toes!  My job is extremely varied and I love being able to work with the students on so many different levels.

Tell us something about you…

My main instrument is the clarinet, but I can also play the flute, saxophone, French horn and trumpet.  I’m originally from just outside New York City.

Mostafa Gamal

Job

Lecturer in Social Sciences

How long have you been at Jewel & Esk?

3 years

What does your job involve?

I am involved in a range of activities, chief among them is teaching and acting as a tutor. I teach a range of subjects (Psychology, Sociology, Politics and Communication) across a range of levels (HNC, Access to University and Entry to Further Education).

What’s the best thing about Jewel & Esk?

I can think of a few reasons:

1-      Jewel & Esk College is a forward thinking organisation which offers me the opportunity to work imaginatively and teach innovatively.

2-      I work as a part of very supportive team within Creative Industries and Arts.

3-      The nature of the job itself: I derive immense satisfaction from  knowing that I have contributed to the development of my students (either towards gaining entry to university or moving on to other jobs)

Tell us something about you…

I’m originally from Morocco. I came to this country in my early 20’s to do a Phd at Glasgow University. I have since pursued a teaching career with the Open University before joining Jewel & Esk. I teach a variety of social scientific subjects and am very interested in exploring the interdisciplinary potential of social sciences. This is reflected in some of the courses I have developed ( Psychogeography). In addition to this, I am also interested in  developing thematic (integrated units), an area our team is currently exploring. Furthermore, I am very interested in developing cross-cultural units.  Currently, I am delivering a unit called “Growing up in Scotland”, which consists of getting my students to collaborate with  Iraqi students via a blog , in a project which aims to explore aspects of growing up/issues affecting young people in these respective countries.

I live in Portobello with my wife and 2 young daughters. 

Rena Cowan

Job

Information Services Team Leader

How long have you been at Jewel & Esk

7 and a half years

What does your job involve?

Advising prospective students on all aspects of coming to College, helping them find the right course and the right mode of study to suit their individual needs.  Processing all the applications that are received in the College and dealing with student enquiries about their applications.

What’s the best thing about Jewel & Esk?

The people I work with, not just within my own section but throughout the whole College.  And the holidays are good too!

Tell us something about you…

After years of advising and encouraging people to take up a course of study I decided to become a student myself.  I have recently completed a 2 year evening class at Jewel & Esk and graduated this year with an HNC in Administration & Information Technology.  So now I can give prospective students first hand advice on being a student at JEC.

Rosie Nimmo

Job

Lecturer in the ICS Faculty

How long have you been at Jewel & Esk?

Almost six years

What does your job involve?

A great variety of things.  Mostly doing different classes with adults who have additional support needs.  These classes include Communication through the Arts and Listening & Talking.  This year for the first time I am doing Core Skills with Winter Leavers who are studying Hairdressing.

What’s the best thing about Jewel & Esk?

It's hard for me to define but I'd probably say the excellent atmosphere across the board with staff and students alike;   a real sense of an enriching, shared journey.

Tell us something about you…

I am a singer/songwriter who has been performing other peoples’ music for several years. I have  won many fans both local: "...the guitars melted into the background and the purity of her voice really came to the fore - Edinburgh Evening News" and National: "...'a dynamic singer with a smooth band - The Guardian".
I have been quietly working away on my own songs for some years now and my first album 'Lazy and Mellow' was released in October last year. The album has already attracted many great reviews from respected publications such as the List, The Sunday Herald, The Scotsman, R2 and Maverick and has also been endorsed by Iain Anderson on his Radio Scotland show as well as other radio presenters
I was shortlisted from 700 applicants for Radio Forth’s One to Watch competition, and made it to the final five in November 2009.  My most recent high-profile performance was at the Danny Kyle Open Stage in Celtic Connections in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, on 24th January.
I'm already recording for my second album.
My website is www.rosienimmo.com where you can find loads of information and some sounds and videos.

Stephen Lindsay

Job

Head chef at eh15 and the Club

How long have you been at Jewel & Esk?

9 months

What does your job involve?

My job is varied, and involves the day to day running of our 70 cover rooftop restaurant, eh15, both for regular dinners and also special events and functions. The job also involves coaching our professional cookery students, who undertake some of their training in eh15.  I also support the Food Court, where we cater for staff and students. 

What’s the best thing about Jewel & Esk

I really feel we have the best possible facility and team of people in place to give our students a solid platform to start their career in the industry.

Tell us something about you…

My career as a chef started 16 years ago as a wee but loud commis chef.  Since then I’ve had so many different experiences, including working in Switzerland; cooking a banquet for 7000 people over two nights at London’s ExCel Arena; catering for guests at events such as Royal Ascot and  the 6 Nations rugby tournaments at Murrayfield, Twickenham and the Millennium Stadium.

I am also a keen bagpipe player and a new proud father.