Secondary Education students
Kurt Montana-Borg
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with International Studies
What made you want to become a teacher?
I wanted to demonstrate my passion in English while also having the opportunity to teach it. I have always loved educating people on a variety of subjects and topics I feel deeply about and when I was offered the chance to achieve this at UTS I knew it was the right step for me.
What has been a highlight of your time at UTS?
The highlight of my time at UTS has definitely been the friends and connections I have made. While the subject matter and content are brilliant and inventive, the social side to UTS hugely benefits the university experience for me.
Janine Kheir
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
What made you want to become a teacher?
In my senior years, I developed a strong connection with my teachers as they motivated me and supported me throughout the most difficult times of my schooling period, specifically during HSC and this inspired me to want to be that teacher for students who lacked the confidence to become something more than they believed. I also had a love for Legal Studies despite the thousand essays I did, day in and day out and this inspired me to go ahead and become a social sciences teacher and do something I love and am passionate about.
What has been a highlight of your time at UTS?
The most enjoyable time I’ve had at UTS is the placement they offered us in the first year of university. It was so interesting to go straight into the reality of education and what it would be like as a teacher. Also, just getting to know so many diverse students of different age, race and religion has been enjoyable.
Jonah Aw
Bachelor of Art / Bachelor of Education – Secondary Mathematics
What made you want to become a teacher?
I was inspired by many of the teachers I had throughout high school in a variety of different ways to become a teacher myself. However, most of all was the common commitment of teachers who saw the best in students as well as their perseverance in supporting and genuinely caring for them both inside and outside the classroom. I believe teachers have the opportunity to have a positive impact on people’s lives and I really hope to be that for my students in the future.
What has been a highlight of your time at UTS?
Highlight of my time at UTS has definitely been the practical learning experiences and relationships that I have formed from both time spent interacting with peers in the classroom but as well as the hands on experience from undertaking placement.
Christopher Ketkeo
Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (Japan)
What made you want to become a teacher?
During my time studying Engineering at UTS, I was part of the Student Representative team of UTS College. Through them, I was able to inform High School students about their university entry options to get to UTS. I was able to attend Career Expos, give presentations and meet many students, parents, teachers, career advisors, both domestically and internationally based, visiting UTS. One day I decided I enjoyed my work so much that I wanted to be a part of the Education industry, as a teacher or career advisor or beyond. Thus, I switched my degree over to Education and International Studies, to give myself as many opportunities as possible to get involved in Tertiary Education, Higher Education or overseas.
What has been a highlight of your time at UTS?
It would be being a part of the multiple Japanese High School and University exchange programs that would occur over the year. In addition to showing students and teachers around the campus and Sydney, I got to make many friendships with university students from areas like Tokyo, Hokkaido, Saga, Kanagawa and beyond.
Matthew Dunne
Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Education (Secondary major, Maths/Science stream)
In my short time at UTS I have been able to increase my teaching skills greatly whilst having a lot of fun along the way. In my classes I have gained knowledge from my lecturers and tutors, as well as my fellow classmates, as they span from a diverse range of locations and backgrounds, allowing for my interest and passion for education to grow.
Prior to my first placement, my expectations of teaching didn’t go beyond its face value that I had experienced as a student. On my first day of prac at Georges River College Oatley, Senior Campus, I was able to witness first-hand the amount of preparation and considerations that teachers must complete, in order to give their students the best possible lesson and overall learning experience. This, whilst daunting, was important for me to realise, as this initial fear later turned into motivation when I was able to observe my supervising teacher be so passionate about all aspects of teaching.
It was also exciting to witness the ideas and teaching methods that we had learned in class being practised by my supervising teacher. It was even more exciting later in the prac, when I was able to personally use these methods to interact with students and then reflect on the success of the methods.
Personally, this placement was eye-opening and completely changed my opinion of teaching as a career. This prac has since motivated me and increased my passion for teaching as a career.
Grace Devaney
Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Education (Science: Biology stream)
The Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Education degree has been made by the wonderful teaching staff and the large number of placements.
I have had so much fun undergoing this degree. From the wonderful supportive staff that I don’t believe you could find at any other Uni, to the amazing support from other students in your cohort. The practicals I feel really make this degree stand out against others. There is nothing that compares to the experience and knowledge you gain on placement.
The most amazing experience I had on placement was on my very last day when a few of the year 7 boys in my class came up to me at the end of the lesson with a letter they had written, thanking me for my lessons and teaching them over the three weeks. It really moved me and highlighted the impact teachers can have on students. I believe there is nothing more valuable than placements for students studying teaching. As good as you may be at theory and assignments, nothing will prepare you more for your career after university than your own first-hand experience in schools.
