Primary & Secondary School,
Victoria
Meet Natasha, a teacher from Victoria, who shares what inspired her to get into teaching and advice she gives to anyone considering a career in teaching.
What inspired you to get into teaching?
I got into teaching because I wanted to leave a positive impact on the next generation. My teaching philosophy is centred around the motto that every child matters every day. I am driven by my passion for lifelong learning as I aim to assist learners in finding their dreams and scaffolding learners in achieving them.
Why do you teach?
I am passionate about teaching young people that learning is a lifelong process and teachable moments don’t just happen in the classroom. Learning is a skill which allows us to transfer knowledge into various contexts and apply these concepts in various ways. I teach because I want to foster student wellbeing so that young people have a positive growth mindset which sets them up for success in life by supporting them in turning adversity into victory.
What's your stand out/most memorable teaching moment?
Every time a student has an “a-ha” moment in the classroom these are the true stand out moments! This is what teaching is about; building confidence so that students can make connections of concepts and take ownership of their learning journey.
Have you received a special keepsake from your student/s that you treasure?
I have received so many keepsakes during my teaching career, but one that stands out the most is a painting of myself and the student who gave it to me. He began art classes during the Covid pandemic and then sold paintings to raise money for local charities.
What is your advice for new teachers or people considering a career in teaching?
Choose a school where your philosophy of teaching aligns with that of the educational blueprint of the school. Teaching can be hard but surround yourself people who love what they do and leaders who you admire - these two things make the hard days a little easier.
