Teacher: MiC Strings/Music & Teacher of Year One
Life before Girton
I completed an Associate Diploma of Music in Cello Performance (AMusA) and Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Teaching (Honours) in Melbourne by 2005. During this time I taught strings at Mentone Boys Grammar, Our Lady of Sion College Box Hill, and Castlemaine Secondary College. Upon moving to Bendigo I worked as a classroom music teacher at Maldon Primary School and Newstead Primary School and came to work at Girton in 2007.
What I Love about Teaching
I thoroughly enjoy working with young people and developing their skills in many different areas. Seeing them grow and achieve is pure joy and I love playing a part in that process.
I love sharing the thrill of music with the next generation. It can make such a difference in students’ lives socially, emotionally, and academically and we have a lot of fun along the way.
What do you like best about the subject/s you teach?
I love Music as a subject because of all the ways it can affect your life. Music has an amazing ability to move us, help us feel and deal with our emotions and help the world make sense. It is truly a universal language.
I enjoy working in the early years in Junior School because I am intrigued by how young minds take in information and process it, often un-inhibited. Children each have a unique way of finding a solution or learning a new concept and I find this very interesting.
What difference can good teaching make?
We can all remember good teachers in our lives, and to have an effect teachers need to reflect on what good teaching is.
Each student is an individual and I feel it is important to learn about my students and find out what their passions are. Making a connection with each student and their family is at the heart of good teaching, as you are then able to tailor your approach with every student.
Also important is a sense of community, whether the classroom community, house community, or wider school community. Fostering a group understanding and respect for all members is at the heart of high-level music-making, as well as effective classroom environments.
Organisation, knowledge of the curriculum, and support from a student’s home environment and from within the school all make for good teachers. The effect on students lasts a lifetime.
Other Hats
Outside of Girton, music continues as my passion. I am the Musical Director of the City of Greater Bendigo Brass Band, and we perform local concerts, compete in state and national competitions and perform civic duties on days like ANZAC Day. I am Principal Viola with the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra, who performs regularly in our local theatres. I also freelance as a composer and music arranger in my spare time!
Life is busy, but I also thoroughly enjoy spending time and exploring the country with my husband and two young sons.
