Life before Girton
Feb 2013 – Dec 2013
Classroom Teacher (Mathematics/Science)
Crusoe Secondary College (yrs. 7, 8, 9)
Mar 2012 – Jan 2013
Classroom Teacher (Mathematics/Science)
Crusoe Secondary College (yr. 9)
Feb 2012 – Apr 2012
Casual Relief Teacher
Eaglehawk Secondary College
Crusoe Secondary College
Oct 2011 – Dec 2011
Casual Relief Teacher (Mathematics/Science)
Crusoe Secondary College (yrs. 7 & 8)
2004 – 2011
Laboratory Assistant & Demonstrator (Science)
La Trobe University (Bendigo)
1997 – 2000
English Teacher (Adult)
South Korean Army Intelligence School
Seoul Teachers Training Centre
1995 – 1998
English Teacher (Child)
JEL Language Institute (Seoul) – English Teacher
What I Love about Teaching
- It lets me share my passion for science, and learning in general, in a fun and creative environment;
I get to see the world from the different perspectives of my students;
it keeps me learning new things every day;
my students constantly surprise me;
I have the privilege of seeing my students grow in knowledge, confidence and skills;
and, at the end of a long day, I know my work has purpose.
What do you like best about the subject/s you teach?
The fantastic thing about teaching science is that the field is constantly changing in new and exciting ways. The constant stream of new discoveries provides endless opportunities to engage students in the subject, and illustrate to them just how important science is in their everyday lives.
Favourite classroom activity
Students invariably enjoy practical classes, where they can explore different concepts we’ve previously discussed in class. By way of example: many students in year 10 struggle with the Physics unit – but they all invariably adore constructing and launching rockets, and analysing their flight data.
What difference can good teaching make?
To be successful in science, students need to cultivate a variety of traits, all of which will serve them in good stead in future years: being organized; being responsible and careful when working with potentially dangerous substances; being able to communicate well; and the ability to work hard, and to not be deterred when things get difficult.
Other Hats
Since I started at Girton, I’ve been fortunate enough to be a manager of the Girton Wizards volleyball team.
My hobbies include reading (I am an avid reader of vintage sci fi novels), (amateur) photography, and now that I have a young family in a new home, landscaping!
