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Dorothy MacKay

Life membership awarded November 2005

Dorothy MacKay was, for many years, Careers Adviser at Horowhenua College, Levin.  She has also worked in Transition education, was on the DACOTE Committee and later the local LEC representing the Principals in the area.  Dorothy was always involved with LINK, Gateway, STAR and Careers, plus a strong support person for any new careers advisors and CATE members. 

Trish Keiller, of Career Services rapuara in Palmerston North recalls:

"She always kept me informed as to the ?mental health? of CATE members and ddid what she and/or others could do to help that teacher - flowers, cards, practical stuff.   She kept her finger on whatever was going on, both in schools and personally, for more than 20 years."

Dorothy herself comments:

I was surprised and delighted to be made a Life Member of the Career and Transition Education Association in 2004. It capped off my involvement in the Transition and Careers which started in 1987.

• In 1987 I became the Transition Teacher at HorowhenuaCollege.
  
  
• In 1988 I also added Careers to my job description. I had been Careers Advisor when I taught in Australia in the 1970?s
  
  
• In the late 1980?s and for part of the early 1990?s, I was involved with the Dacotes and occasionally Nacotes. Also chaired the local Link meetings after they gained more autonomy from the Polytechnics.
  
  
• The introduction of Unit Standards without any training resulted in me organizing a 2 day workshop for regional transition teachers to enable us to help and support each other.
  
  
• The introduction of the STAR programme meant that we had to support each other in being creative in how we obtained and used this money. Remember the early days when we all competed for money!
  
  
• Running the Star programme at the college put me in an influential position re new courses to be offered to better meet the needs of students.
  
  
• The networking one gains by being a member of a national association proved invaluable in getting ideas re the Link and Star programmers out to the regions.
  
  
• In 1989 I attended my first National meeting at Pawarenga (still have the song book!)
  
  
• From then until 2003 I was the representative of the Manawatu/Horowhenua/Wanganui region and attended meetings on a regular basis only missing two annual conferences; they were at Nelson and Wanganui, because of family commitments.
  
  
• My involvement in the regional association was that of convener of our meetings and organizing venue and speakers. I withdrew from this role around 2003 to ensure that others would keep the region going if I was no longer involved and in hindsight I am pleased I made that decision.
  
  
• Between 1999 and 2000 I was the National President of the Association and although it created a great deal of work I found the role satisfying.
  
  
• I was involved in organizing the national conference in Wanganui and headed the team that organized the conference in Palmerston North in 1999
  
  
• When I retired in 2005 I felt that I had worked hard for the students that many other of my colleagues preferred not to deal with. I also believe all Transition teachers are rewarded when their students achieve. Also for myself, since I started in the transition area, I believe that having access to money has improved the status of the transition and careers areas.

 

I believe that as an association we have always been more politically aware of changes occurring in the education system than other subject areas and we strive to get the best for all students. I am aware that a great many people give their time to ensure that the problems facing Careers and Transition are continually confronted and this plus motivated regions ensures the organization will continue to be an influence in the educational arena.

 
My sudden retirement in 2005 has meant that my link with the association has not continued although I feel I would like to attend another national conference in the near future.