Primary School,
New South Wales
What inspired you to get into teaching?
When my children were younger I was a parent helper at their school. I derived great satisfaction from helping the students develop their reading and numeracy skills. One of my son's teachers suggested I should retrain as a teacher. I’d previously studied sciences and worked as a process engineer in mining. I started working as a School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) full time, gaining amazing classroom experience, while also completing a Master of Education part time.
Why do you teach?
I have seen first-hand the impact that positive and empathetic teachers have on students. I am driven, every day, by the goal of being a role model to students and being a positive influence in their lives. I want my students to feel the same passion I have for learning. To feel valued and important. To know that they are capable and that they can achieve amazing things. The students really are my why!
What's your stand out/most memorable teaching moment?
I have been fortunate to work in a range of settings including support units, mainstream environments, and opportunity classes. From this I have so many standout teaching moments. These include the student from my autism support unit class who, after 6 months of not talking much, started communicating with me because of my "funky earrings". I had another student whose attendance increased from below 50% to over 80% because they felt welcomed and developed a sense of belonging in our class. I also had a Year 6 student who read her first ever book as we took turns daily reading a page each.
Have you received a special keepsake from your student/s that you treasure?
I have a framed print in my classroom from a class a few years ago where each student shared one thing they loved about our class/me. Knowing that the students had a deep understanding of how valued and accepted they were means so much to me. It is a wonderful reminder that the little things we do as teachers can make a huge impact in our students’ lives.
What is your advice for new teachers or people considering a career in teaching?
It is never too late! Whether you are considering a career in teaching straight after high school, or a change of career a few years down the track, you may be what that one student needs. As someone who fits into the ‘career change’ demographic, I know that I have so much more to offer my students thanks to the other experiences I bring into the classroom, which enrich my students’ learning. I also found gaining experience as an SLSO is also a great way to get a feel of the classroom environment before committing to the responsibility of being a teacher.
