How do you hope to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders through your role?
As an educator, I strongly believe that each student has a unique story inside them waiting to be told. It is an honour to be a part of their educational journey and to help shape the next chapter of their story. My goal is to empower them to take risks and step outside of their comfort zones in an educational context. By sharing my own journey, I hope to inspire them to explore new opportunities and discover their own passions.
What unique opportunities do you find in teaching at a school like Fintona, and how do these differ from other schools you have worked in?
Fintona provides a world of opportunities that I had not witnessed during my tenure at coeducational schools. The students exhibit a keen thirst for knowledge and often ask out-of-the-box questions that also inspire me to explore further, making it both an opportunity and a challenge. I enjoy the small class sizes and the sense of community that prevails, with students who display a high level of concern for one another and support everyone around them. They tend to be more engaged than their coeducational counterparts and are less hesitant to ask questions.
Can you tell us more about your journey to become a pilot, and how does this passion complement your teaching?
Flying has always been a dream of mine, but I never thought it was possible. It is an amazing feeling to be in control of an aircraft high above the ground. The science behind flight fascinates me; as my instructor once said, ‘We are in a little tin can with a big fan on the front, moving at 200km/h, 3500 feet (1km) above the ground!’ This statement made me realise that there is so much to learn and understand about flying, which only fuels my desire to continue learning. As an educator, I believe that we should always strive to continue learning.
What do you hope the future of teaching Science and Technology looks like?
I believe that STEM education will become more prevalent, with more equipment from larger labs becoming smaller and more accessible to students. I would like to see students have more opportunities to explore with technology, better preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that they will face in the future.
I hope the future of teaching science is increasingly hands-on, active and curious. It is important to encourage in students the drive to find answers to even the simplest of questions. This requires developing a hypothesis, testing, refining, retesting, and exploring their question until a satisfactory conclusion is reached. I hope that technology will continue to develop so that students can explore further within the classroom and have the necessary tools to satisfy their curiosity to learn more.