Primary School,
New South Wales
What inspired you to get into teaching?
As I grew up, I was fortunate enough to have a very caring and supportive swim coach. Over the seven years that I had this coach, he not only taught me about the sport of swimming but also offered me support when I needed it due to external factors. He always listened, encouraged me on both my good and bad days, and taught me how to be a better person. He created a safe space for me where I always felt cared for and supported. These feelings I experienced growing up are ones that I believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience, which led me to become a teacher so I could provide those opportunities to others.
What's your stand out/most memorable teaching moment?
The most memorable moment I had as a teacher was at the school's Year 6 formal. At the end of the night, one of the students' parents came up to me and was extremely thankful for the support I had given her daughter over the year, saying that I was one of the reasons her daughter felt comfortable being herself. It was a very surreal moment because sometimes you realise how significant the impact you have on these students is, day in and day out.
What is your advice for new teachers or people considering a career in teaching?
My advice would be that it gets easier. It feels overwhelming at first when you have so much on your plate. I think the best tip I have is to remember that you are new to the job; don't compare yourself to the other teachers. Just make sure you are ready to learn and ask the more experienced teachers for help. The best advice I can give is to be willing and ready to make mistakes. It's normal, so don't stress too much about it. Just remember why you are doing the job, which is to make the students' lives a little bit better each day.
