Primary and Secondary Teacher with NSW Department of Education
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Honours)
Teachers must be flexible, and ready to adapt our teaching program or style within a moment’s notice. However, we also have to be constant and present. We could be the one solid figure of trust in a student’s life/circle, so our role extends far beyond educating. We must show we care, we are there for our students, and that we are there to celebrate their achievements just as much as they are.
What inspired you to become a secondary education teacher?
I have always been a voracious reader however I never found any joy in an English classroom. Fast-track to my senior years of High School and my whole perspective had changed due to the passion and dedication of one teacher. She encouraged me to keep digging through obscure books, to follow my passion for context and history as much as I could. So I would like to pay forward that passion and interest in adolescents' learning journeys, as it is truly a wonderful time in human development where we can really centre in on who we are and how we want to help our communities.
What do you love about being a secondary education teacher?
The secondary learning environment is unique, and provides an incredible opportunity for teachers to get to know their students and their interests. This allows me as an English teacher to tailor my lessons and discussions to involve student interest and allow them autonomy in directing their own learning journey. I can be the catalyst that erupts a whole new passion in a young adult that lasts a lifetime, which is a pretty heart-warming aspect of an already incredible and important role.
Book Week 2020 with Hamish and other Year 6 Teachers
What do you do not love about it?
I get bored in the holidays! After a few days of rest, I begin to miss the endless discussion and workshopping, alongside the look of joy that accompanies an ‘a-ha’ moment when a student has preserved their way to the answer.
Where have you taught and have you experienced a range of classrooms?
Throughout my prac experiences, I was lucky enough to teach across the four different educational settings; those being: Mackellar Girls Campus (Government/single-sex female), St Augustine’s College (Independent/single-sex male), Hornsby Girls High School (Selective/single-sex female), and Narrandera High School (Rural/co-educational).
I was privy to a multitude of students' experiences and circumstances. The selective environment was a constant melting pot of discussion, debate and inspiration, and allowed me to facilitate and extend students' ideas and arguments. Being able to teach in classrooms where half the student population identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander provided me with an amazing opportunity to learn from my students, creating a two-way relationship that inspired and encouraged each other’s interests.
The one thing that sticks out most for me is the impact that a calm, caring educator can have on the mental outlook of a student.
What is your best memory from being on practical placement during your studies?
I was incredibly lucky to have been offered the experience of a rural placement for my two final pracs, in which I went to live in the beautiful Narrandera in NSW’s Riverina district. Having to pick one memory out of those incredible few months is hard, however the one that sticks out most would be the opportunity I had to involve myself with the Clontarf Foundation, and their work for First Nations students in rural areas, which culminated in an afternoon of playing rugby league and having a barbecue with the boys. Despite multiple bruises and very sore ribs, I’ll always cherish the fun we had on that afternoon, and the opportunity I gave for a few boys from the country to knock the wind out of a skinny kid down from the city.
Did you learn anything at UTS that you now apply in the classroom?
I learned many valuable lessons, ranging from behaviour management to my own research practice, however the one thing that sticks out most for me is the impact that a calm, caring educator can have on the mental outlook of a student.
There were many times during my studies when I sat back amazed at the care and interest that I was shown by all UTS staff. (I never realised how easy it was to get stuck into a back and forth email conversation with a lecturer about Thoreau’s ‘Walden’!) I was very lucky to have some incredible lecturers and tutors at UTS, and my own pedagogy and classroom presence would not be the same without them. Special mention to Mark Tredinnick, Don Carter, Anne-Louise Agnew and Robyn Stavely for the dedication they show to their students.
If you could give your younger UTS-student-self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Make use of incredible facilities the uni has, make yourself known to the amazing staff at the uni, and make sure you keep up your friendship with the legends at Café 10.
What would you tell your high school self after your experiences being a high school teacher?
Be nice to student teachers, that could be you one day!
What attributes do you consider important to become a successful teacher?
Teachers must be flexible, and ready to adapt our teaching program or style within a moment’s notice. However, we also have to be constant and present. We could be the one solid figure of trust in a student’s life/circle, so our role extends far beyond educating. We must show we care, we are there for our students, and that we are there to celebrate their achievements just as much as they are.
What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career so far?
Limiting my enthusiasm when teaching certain novels/texts!
How are you adapting to COVID in your teaching?
As we are currently in a remote learning cycle, I have had to become a lot more tech-savvy and open to using more digital resources. I have never been a big proponent of reading digitally, so was initially skeptical with how I would find teaching this way. However I am blown away at the independence and creativity of my students whilst they are learning from home.
Who are your role models?
Mum takes the number one spot – I couldn’t imagine the stress of raising 3 young children alongside full-time study in nursing, yet she passed with flying colours. I have also always admired people who speak up for marginalised communities, and those who inspire us to be introspective. One person in particular is the Kurdish-Iranian journalist Behrouz Boochani, with others including Henry David Thoreau and Mandawuy Yunupingu.
Year 6 Camp. 20 mins of sleep.
A lot of influence has come from the carefree, fun-loving personality of Jack Black too haha!
