Life before Girton
I grew up in Melbourne, went to “drama college” as we called it back in the day, performed in a few shows around Melbourne and started my first teaching job at Methodist Ladies College, Kew and remained there for quite a few years. My family moved to Bendigo in 2000. Once my children were at school, so was I. I have been at Girton “off and on” since 2004.
What I Love about Teaching:
I surprised myself how much I enjoyed teaching. It wasn’t necessarily what I thought I would do, having grown up with two parents who were teachers! Apparently, as a child I loved to say: “I’ll never be a teacher!” with an eye roll. What perfect irony that I grew to love the job quite quickly, despite the fact that I hadn’t really planned it. It felt like the right thing to be doing.
What is the best thing about teaching at Girton?
People are always the thing for me. Students, particularly teenagers are wonderful people to be around. Colleagues are important too and at Girton, I work alongside people with whom I simply click. Most work days have an element of fun. I think that makes me very lucky.
My favourite classroom activity
I have a favourite classroom moment, rather than activity. It’s the moment when a group of students are all completely focussed on a creative task and lose themselves inside it. Equally great are the moments when students realise something about what they or their society are like, because a dramatic scene reflects it back.
What difference can good teaching make?
If I am doing my job well, those are the experiences I hope to provide. Good teachers are not just completely focused on their subject area. Looking after the whole person is much broader than that.
