Secondary School,
South Australia
Meet Carly, a teacher from South Australia who talks about the people who inspired her to get into teaching, what goals she has with her own students, as well as what advice she gives to anyone considering a career in teaching.
What inspired you to get into teaching?
Teaching runs in my blood! In addition to my aunties and uncles who chose teaching as their profession, my dad was a primary school teacher for almost 40 years. He found genuine joy in his profession, both in the rapport that he built with his students and the lasting bonds created with colleagues. I witnessed and understood, very early on, the profound impact that my dad was having on the learning and growth of his students. We would often be stopped by his past students wanting to say hi when we were at our local shops!
I was also lucky to have the gift of an amazing education myself and was supported by incredible teachers who truly championed my learning and holistic growth.
Why do you teach?
I teach to help students see all the possibilities that education and learning can open up for them and to assist them to develop a love of learning that they can carry with them far beyond the classroom walls. I believe that an education filled with rich experiences, authentic learning opportunities and strong connections with industry and the wider community, can assist our young people to develop skills and capabilities which will help them to be successful both professionally and personally, in a world which is increasingly complex. I also teach because I am passionate about empowering the next generation of young women to pursue their interests and consider careers in the fields of digital technology and STEM. By creating an inclusive environment where young women are exposed to programming, robotics and engineering (to name a few topics!), I hope to nurture confidence and encourage them to harness their curiosity, challenge stereotypes and envision themselves becoming future innovators and leaders within the technology industry.
What’s your stand out/most memorable teaching moment?
For me, there is no single moment, but a collection of moments that grow with each new class that I teach. When a student has an “I get it” moment, their eyes light up and you see pride wash over their faces as they realise that they DO understand it and they CAN do it – that moment reminds me, every time, of why I love teaching.
Knowing that I played a small part in enhancing the learning path of these students is something I come back to on those harder days when it helps to remember the impact that we, as teachers, are making.
What is your advice for new teachers or people considering a career in teaching?
My advice for new teachers is to find your team and find a school whose aims and values align with your own. An environment which motivates you will enable you to truly connect with your students and impact their lives in a small but hugely meaningful way.
For new teachers, show an interest in your students’ hobbies and interests, be firm but fair and build a learning environment where students are comfortable to make mistakes. I always find that building a strong rapport with my students is my most successful behaviour management strategy! For those considering teaching, I would highly recommend it as a profession. It is the opportunity to make a difference to the trajectory of a young person’s life. They are our future and how rewarding to play a role in helping them change the world!
