Year(s) and Subject(s) Taught
Year 7 and 8 Enterprise. Year 9 and 10 Commerce, Global Commerce and Business and Economics.
How long have you been teaching?
15 years.
Why did you become a teacher? Why did you choose teaching as a profession?
Despite initially planning a career in Management Consultancy, a few university friends said I would make a good teacher. I love to study, so after finishing my undergraduate degrees I studied for my teaching qualifications in Commerce and Humanities.
I decided straight away that this was the profession for me. The students’ quest for knowledge kept my brain ticking over all day, their gratitude left a deep impact, and the cliché of ‘making a difference’ was visible every day.
Tell us about your own education journey.
I studied a Bachelor of Business (Management) and a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University in Australia. I then completed my Gradate Diploma of Education (Secondary). After an established teaching and management I recently completed my Master of Education (Studies of Asia) at Flinders University Australia.
What is the most memorable moment in your teaching career so far?
In my school in Australia I implemented a student Commerce Tour of China in 2015. Being able to immerse students in another country was fascinating. It cemented my belief that global learning is critical. Watching the students live together, travel as a group and experience new cultures, allowed long-term friendships, collaboration and respect to form.
What do you like most about teaching?
I love that it keeps evolving to ensure teachers are life-long learners. I am always reading and studying so students can benefit from my increased knowledge, and I have been so impressed to see this in my school in Malaysia.
Peninsula International School Australia sets high expectations for staff in a positive, growth-mindset environment, and this culture flows through to our students.
What is the best thing about teaching at your school?
My school has extraordinarily passionate staff, led by a team who ‘walk the walk’. The leadership team follow through on every statement they make publically and internally. They push for excellence but the environment they do that in is positive, supportive and collegial.
As a start-up school, we have the unique advantage of ensuring from the start that everything is done with a clear vision, making teaching here very rewarding.
Who or what inspires you?
Travel – it’s how I learn about the world and gain the passion for new experiences.
My children – my 3 sons remind me of what is important both in life and in my job. Raising independent, positive, holistic human beings!
Describe the ‘perfect’ student.
As long as a student is trying and doing their best, then they are learning. My school does not expect students to conform to any one way of teaching, we find out what their strengths are and we use those to guide our teaching.
