HSIE Teacher with NSW Department of Education
Bachelor of Teaching in Secondary Education, 2012
I teach a range of HSIE subjects – Business Studies, Commerce, Economics, Geography - and English.
As an HSIE teacher, I hope to broaden students' understanding of what is going on around them, to challenge their status quo, and encourage them to be active, global citizens of the world.
When did you graduate?
I competed my Bachelor of Teaching in 2012 – it was a 1 year degree back then and it was great.
Why did you choose to become a secondary education teacher? What inspired you?
Being a teacher was always something I had considered. I studied Economics in my HSC and at uni, and I thought it would be something that I would love more young people, particularly girls, to know and care about.
Do you specialise?
I teach a range of HSIE subjects – Business Studies, Commerce, Economics and Geography. Since finishing at UTS I have also trained in English, which has been really useful as we move towards more cross-curriculum activities.
What do you love about being a secondary education teacher?
Definitely the students – particularly when they have a hunger to know more about the world. As an HSIE teacher, I hope to broaden their understanding of what is going on around them, to challenge their status quo, and encourage them to be active, global citizens of the world.
What do you do not love about it?
When students have given up on themselves or don’t want to try. The lives of teenagers can be super complex, and as a teacher you know that often things will get better, but they can’t see the forest for the trees. It can sometimes be hard to know how to deal with it, but most schools have an excellent student welfare team to help navigate these difficult situations.
Where have you taught?
I have been teaching at an academically selective school in Sydney for the past 5 years, and 2 years as a casual teacher.
What would you tell your high school-self after your experiences being a high school teacher?
Don’t work the teachers too hard – they have lives too!
What attributes do you consider important to become a successful teacher?
Empathy for students, boundless patience (for all the late work students hand in and all the meetings we attend), and a desire to improve the minds of young people.
What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career so far?
The greatest challenge has been getting a permanent position. We often read in the news that there are thousands of casual and temporary teachers, and it can be really discouraging when the wait is so long.
How are you adapting to COVID in your teaching?
Some aspects have been easier to adapt than others – I’m very fortunate to be at a school where students are keen to learn. Zoom meetings aren’t quite the same as being in the classroom, but being able to teach in trackpants and the reduction in commute has been great.
Why did you choose to study Education at UTS?
At the time UTS offered an intensive 1 year Bachelor’s degree (basically 3 semesters worth of study completed in 2), and having just finished my undergraduate degree in Economics, I wasn’t too interested in studying longer than necessary!
Did you learn anything at UTS that you now apply in the classroom?
UTS really prepared me well for teaching. I think one of the best things about studying at UTS was the fact that many of our lecturers and tutors were still classroom teachers, which provided us a well-rounded, realistic perspective of what it would be like in the classroom and school setting.
If you could give your younger UTS student-self one piece of advice, what would it be?
You’re on the right track!
Who are your role models?
I had some really excellent teachers when I was in year 12 that I admire and respect- Paul Quill and Rob Dean.
And obviously John Keating from the movie Dead Poets Society played by the marvellous Robin Williams.
