Life before Girton
Qualifications
- Diploma of Teaching (Primary) La Trobe University Bendigo
- Bachelor of Education La Trobe University Bendigo
Before commencing employment at Girton Grammar School in 2008, I worked for many years as a Primary School Classroom Teacher at various schools in the Loddon Campaspe Mallee region. Two of those years were as a shared Physical Education /Art teacher. For three years, I was also a Head-teacher at two small rural schools where I was the only staff member teaching Prep to Year Six students.
What I Love about Teaching
What I love most about teaching is having the opportunity to interact with and build positive relationships with children, parents, and staff. At Girton we can achieve this in the classroom and through our co-curricular programmes.
One of the best things about teaching at Girton is, as it’s a Prep to Year Twelve school, staff can maintain contact with students who leave Junior School for Senior School. It is wonderful to be able to interact with students I taught when they were in Junior School. School events such as sports days, musical ensembles, House dinners, the Carols Service and Speech Night enable us to maintain connections with past students. Having Year 12 Prefects visit our classrooms on a regular basis is also a favourite activity of both Junior School students and Staff. To have played a part in the academic and social development of children is very rewarding.
What do you like best about the year level you teach?
In Year Three, students are developing more independence and improving their organisational skills. They are encouraged to take responsibility for, and ownership of, their actions. The RULER approach is enabling them to understand their emotions and how to use their RULER skills in their daily lives.
As a year level, we work closely together to make the cohort a cohesive group. The highlight of the year for staff and students is the Year Three Camp at Bacchus Marsh. It is a wonderful three day camp with fun and exciting activities for everyone to experience.
My favourite classroom activity
One of my favourite classroom activities is reading a novel as a serial to my class. I love the way the children sit and listen intently, totally immersed in the characters and the storyline. The predictions about what may be going to happen next, the discussion about the various characters and the genuine emotions displayed when something funny or sad occurs. A favourite story for me to read is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. It has a surprise ending, and the looks on the children’s faces and their reactions as I read the final paragraph are priceless.
What difference can good teaching make?
Good teaching should inspire students to have the confidence to open themselves up to new experiences and give their best in all their pursuits. School should be a place where this learning and experimentation can occur in a safe and supported environment. Positive relationships between teachers and students are vital and enhance the classroom climate allowing students to learn and develop academically, emotionally and socially.
Other Hats
Since joining the Girton Grammar School staff, I have been involved with boys and girls basketball and volleyball teams, and coached several Junior and Senior School netball teams. For the past six years, I have been Mic of the Girton Netball Club. I have also been a selector for the Victorian Primary Schools Sports Association netball trials in the Loddon Campaspe Mallee region for many years.
Outside of school my interests include travelling, reading, being a fanatical Hawthorn and Melbourne Vixens fan, going to as many games as possible and spending time with my family and friends.
