"What do you want your classroom to sound like, feel like, look like?" I ask my students this question at the start of the term. Their responses guide my planning and remind me of what is important.
Working with students in the Missions of St Vincent Community Action Group and teaching Religion allowed me to share my faith and my passion for social justice with my students.
I was brought up in a Catholic family with parents who taught in Catholic schools and volunteered within the local parish. This instilled me with a life long commitment to Catholic values and Catholic education.
I love teaching Religious Education and English because they allow for a diversity of learning through powerful and engaging classroom experiences. The classroom can go from intense silence to joyful laughter in one session.
Girls thrive when they are given the opportunity to connect with the broader community. I support my students in their classroom learning and I encourage them to develop their personal strengths outside of the classroom as well.
Religious Education allows students to explore the four strands of Sacred Texts, Beliefs, Church and Christian Life and respond through a myriad of forms.
English gives students the opportunity to analyse, understand, communicate with and build relationships with others and with the world around them.
I know I learn best when I'm 'doing'. I love those moments in a classroom when everyone 'gets it'. Learning is not a passive activity.
Being a homeroom teacher means extra time to get to know my students and to build strong, meaningful relationships.
I just wanted to say thank you for such an amazing year. You have taught me so much about not only just school stuff but about life and this world in general. You came into class and were caring and kind, you always respected and acknowledged everything I had to say and you actually made school fun... Thank you so much for an awesome year. I wish you all the best and know that where ever you are you will be doing amazing things.
2004-2007: I took time out to raise my own young family and remained connected to education through casual positions at Clairvaux McKillop, Gregory Terrace and Mt St Michael's.
Images owned by N. Kapernick and used with permission of subjects