Every month, under the heading ‘Getting acquainted with…’ we give the floor to an NNVO employee. He or she tells something about him- or herself and about working at NNVO. This month it is Ysbrand Bontekoe’s turn, who has worked with us as an educationalist since early July.
Who is Ysbrand Bontekoe?
"I am 33 years old and I have lived happily together with my girlfriend Brechtje for almost four years now. We are both keen sailors and we have just bought a yacht, and we are planning to set sail on a long trip in a couple of years. Apart from sailing I very much like cooking (and eating), I like listening to music and try to go to the gym twice a week. As a child I used to comment on my teacher’s lessons. Actually, I have been fascinated with learning and teaching methods all my life. And the great thing is: I have succeeded in finding a job that has it all!"
What work experience do you have?
"In 2012 I obtained my first-degree teaching qualification as a theatre teacher. In the following years I taught almost every imaginable target group, from pre-school children to adults. I also did the production management for several artists. And then I developed a growing interest for designing teaching methods and making sure that people are best prepared for the next step in their (educational) career. This led me to the university where I obtained a master degree in educational sciences and since then I have worked as an educationalist. In the past two years this was my job at a pharmaceutical company and since this summer I have worked as an educationalist at NNVO."
Can you describe an average working week?
"An average working week?! I have only started two months ago, so I am still discovering new sides of my job every week. I actually don’t expect to get an average working week here at all. But I do hope that there will always be a sound balance between personal contact with colleagues, the trainees and coaches on the one hand, and the substantive questions for which I am expected to provide the right solution on the other hand."
What makes your work interesting?
"Ever since the First World War the educational science has taken a great leap forward and these developments are moving at an increasingly faster pace. I am committed to keeping informed about my subject. I listen to podcasts a lot, I read articles and have substantive discussions with colleagues. Teaching people is complex, it is not some trick you can use again and again. And that is what I like about it. What I like most about my work is when I help people by giving direction to their ambition. One minute I am writing a piece with a vision of the future for the board and the next – while enjoying our coffee – I am talking with one of the trainees about how he experiences the training course. Both activities are equally important to me; the one cannot exist without the other. It is this dynamism that makes the work infinitely interesting for me."
