Great teachers making a difference

What do you teach? And who do you teach it to?

I teach a variety of subjects to students on differentiated programs depending on the needs of each student. Students in my cohort vary from Year 1 to Year 9. I conduct my lessons via Skype or REACT – in an online learning environment (to reach Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in remote communities across the NT).

How do you make a difference to your student/learners?

Being an approachable and supportive teacher is important to me. I take the time to get to know what each student needs to be successful and happy in their learning environment. If students are happy, they engage in their learning and this is the key to their success.

Why should teachers be proud of their profession?

Because we make a difference. Many children I have had the pleasure of teaching are now young adults, it warms my heart to see them grow into beautiful people.

What teacher made a difference to you as a learner, or someone who inspired you to teach?

Growing up in a small fishing community in Newfoundland Canada, I was a painfully shy student. My year 6 teacher was Miss Tobin, she was new to my school and had not long been qualified as a teacher. I had become very good at flying under the radar but when she arrived, Miss Tobin was quick to pick up that I loved to write and she really took an interest in me and pushed me out of my comfort zone… she saw me. I hold that in the back of my mind to this day and I make a point to look out for those students who shy away from the spotlight and really see what makes my students unique in any class I teach.

Why should teachers be proud of their profession?

I think it can be misunderstood how big the responsibility of being a teacher is, and what we are responsible for is important. Teaching is not just about content, it’s about so much more.  I often think, if Miss Tobin hadn’t come into my life what trajectory would my life have taken? She influenced my ability to believe in myself and to be proud of my strengths. We are role models to our students EVERY DAY, in how we act, how we behave and how we treat those around us.  Everyone needs someone to believe in them.

How do you make a difference to your student/learners?

I can be very critical of myself and I’m always trying to be better and what I do. I know that if I can send my students out the door with more self-belief than they had when they walked in, then I’ve done a good job. As a team in the middle school, any chance we can get to work together, we’ll take. We make a difference because we show kids how working well together makes a difference, we walk the talk.

How do teachers makes a difference in your community?

I’m really lucky to work in the school community I’m currently in, it’s a small campus and a really tight-knit community. We work really well as a team. Our parents are very involved in the school and supportive of us, they’re willing and open to support us trying new things, they can see what we’re trying to achieve.  

What teacher made a difference to you as a learner, or someone who inspired you to teach?

The most significant teacher for me was my high school Deputy Principal Peter Young. Peter took the time to really understand my needs as a student and believed that I was capable of so much more than what I was achieving. Through encouragement and a bit of ‘tough love’ Peter motivated me to avoid taking the easy option and made me push myself to become the best version of me. I was inspired by the dedication that Peter showed and he is a big reason as to why I chose the profession.

Why should teachers be proud of their profession?

Teaching is a tough gig and if you didn’t love it, there’d be so many easier ways to make a dollar. A good teacher gives themselves entirely to the profession and the students. They are selfless and should be proud that their hard work and dedication results in real life changes for the students that they work with. Quality teachers make a big difference in the life of the children.

How do you make a difference to your student/learners?

I really get to know my students and build relationships with them. I get to know how hard to push them, but when to back off and support. I’m not afraid to challenge my students and feel that I make a difference by encouraging them to have high expectations as a learner and citizen. I work shoulder to shoulder with my students and promote an authentic student voice in learning to challenge students to take responsibility for their own learning.  

How do teachers makes a difference in your community?

Teachers work tirelessly in our community to give students the opportunity to improve as learners and as citizens. We value real life learning and encourage our students to be critical and creative thinkers. We want our students to consider the world and ask: “Is this the way it should be?”. We don’t just want our students to learn facts and obtain knowledge. We encourage our students to become real world problem solvers, deep independent thinkers, students that ask questions, and students that promote change and action. It is through supporting active positive citizens that our teachers make a big difference in our community.

What’s your definition of great teacher?

Eloise:

Great teachers help you to feel confident and not embarrassed to ask more questions.

At my school, our teachers show us different ways of finding the answer to a question. You can choose the way that works best for you.

Mrs Sill:

At Lourdes Hill, teachers are very open to feedback from the students. Teaching is a dialogue between students and teachers.

Which teacher has made a real difference to you, as a learner?

Eloise:

My maths teacher, Mrs Sill, has made a big difference to my learning. She makes maths easy to understand. She will sit down and explain everything to me, so that I understand. She makes me feel confident and comfortable to ask questions.

If you get a good mark, she says: Good Job! She’s really nice. She shows me that working hard pays off.

She makes everything fun. I feel engaged.

How does your Maths Teacher, Mrs Sill, make a difference to your learning?

Eloise: 

Mrs Sill is a really great teacher. My results have improved a lot since last year, thanks to her. I used to get Bs and low Cs. This year, I’ve definitely improved, especially in problem solving [understanding of fluency, complex problem solving and reasoning].

She has all these different ways of teaching, like using a piñata to show us how algebra works.

Mrs Sill:

Maths is not a secret language. It’s a skill that you can learn. And it takes practice. Just because a student doesn’t feel confident at the start, it doesn’t mean that they won’t grow to be successful in the future. I try to use real life examples or stories that students will easily grasp in class to explain a skill. Something as simple as breaking open a piñata at a birthday party can be used to help a student visualise the process of expanding an algebraic expression.

Why should teachers be proud of their profession?

Eloise:

I think it’s because it’s ok to do whatever you want. You have to work hard to be what you want to be.

Mrs Sill:

It’s really satisfying to be able to work with students to build their confidence and celebrate their successes with them.

It’s important for teachers to understand each student and where they are at. We have a data analytics dashboard at this school, which provides data on each student. This helps me to improve my teaching and tailor my approach to each student.

We also offer online learning (LHC Virtual) at our school and girls can access that at home as well as at school.

Eloise:

I use LHC Virtual every day to do my homework. I find it really useful, especially when I don’t understand something.

Eloise, do you like Maths?

Eloise:  

I find maths quite fun. I think I prefer exams over assignments. I find it easier to do an exam in one day. It’s quicker than an assignment – they take more time to do.

When I leave school, I may look for a job as an accountant.

How does the teaching profession make a difference?

The profession can make a real difference in peoples’ lives. Teaching is about quality and the learning experience for students. It’s a balance between the learning experience – the development as a person; and measurable, academic outcomes – the development as a student. Learning is a process that needs to be encouraged by a teacher. Teaching is not just about delivering content. There is a balance between efficiency and effectiveness. 

The skill of a great teacher is to identify where a learner is at and adapting their approach to best suit the individual in the context of a group learning environment. This is a skill that requires emotional intelligence as well as educational expertise.

Who inspired you to teach?

It started off with my family. I was inspired by the teachers in my family. My mum just retired after a 42-year career in teaching (secondary history, like me). My uncle has been a school principal. Several other family members are teachers too. I knew the power of teaching as a profession. And I also understand the reality of teaching.

Why should teachers be proud of their profession?

Teachers are both generalists and specialists. We bring our qualifications, personality, emotion and passion to the profession. It is what makes us better than online courses. We are humans.

Teaching is a great job, even though it may not always be recognised for the essential role it plays in a democratic society. The profession will go from strength to strength thanks to our increasingly reflective practice. The profession will continue to respond to what society needs – and not just in an economic sense – and what the evidence-based research says. Research, policy and practice must be in conversation, not competition.

How do you make a difference to your student/learners?

Well, I’m based in the school library in my current position and I encourage the students to improve their approach to research, reading and writing across all subjects. In the age of Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, children need to be taught how to do research well. This is about using critical thinking, displaying creative expression and developing compelling arguments. As students, children need substance in their learning to constantly strive to go beyond what we know today.

How do teachers make a difference in the community?

Schools play a major role in the community. The role of a school is to draw students out and into the community. Communities need teachers who care about children and like working with children, not just people who care only about delivering curriculum and (exam) results. Performance and learning are not the same thing and we need to ensure that schools and teachers are valued for everything they bring to the learning experience, not just marks or grades.

What teacher made a difference to you as a learner, or someone who inspired you to teach?

Teaching wasn’t really a part of my vision at school, I was going to go into history or politics. I had a teacher in year 11 and 12, Ms Conway, who taught me Politics and Renaissance history. Her teaching style was like nothing I had experienced before, there was a phenomenal dynamic in her classroom. After I completed my International Relations degree and was thinking about what step to take next, I remembered her classes – and this is what led me to teaching. 

Why should teachers be proud of their profession?

Teachers are so important, they provide a foundation for everything we do. It starts with teaching students how to read and write and this alone opens so many doors. I think teachers provide an opportunity for students to find themselves, they teach them how to find themselves.

How do you make a difference to your student/learners?

I teach senior school students and it can be a challenging time for them as in society’s eyes they are coming into adulthood. I am consistent in my approach with students and have consistent, reliable expectations of them which I really believe is important. So whether they like me or not, they’re never surprised by my reaction to something! I’m also a Highly Accomplished teacher (I was certified in the NT) so I have demonstrated my impact on students’ learning as well as supporting my colleagues’ practice.

How do teachers makes a difference in your community?

Bendigo is a small town (culturally). Generationally, people go to the same schools and have the same teachers, so teaching filters into everything. Teachers in Bendigo really are part of the town’s fabric.

What teacher made a difference to you as a learner, or someone who inspired you to teach?

A few teachers at my high school in Brisbane left an indelible love of learning, teaching and critical thinking. I remember being excited by literature for the first time in my life through the guidance of Mrs Meadows and a copy of Brave New World. I also remember the praise and support I received from my teacher Ms Tobin who helped foster my interest in biological sciences. Lastly, Ms Keene, who was one of the first teachers to interact with me like an adult and whose hilarious dry sense of humour made learning very enjoyable.

Why should teachers be proud of their profession?

Teachers should be proud of their profession because of its altruistic nature. Whether it be the love of academia and wanting to inspire the next generation or the call to student pastoral care; it is wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of our young community members.

How do you make a difference to your student/learners?

I try to communicate and interact with my students respectfully, and be a positive adult role model. I also enjoy trying to make learning relevant to students by applying content to their home, work and hobbies as engagement improves immensely. I embed curiosity, comedy and critical thinking where possible into my lessons as this reflects my nature.

How do teachers makes a difference in your community?

Teachers make a difference in our community in so many ways. Besides the obvious education of the next generation, it can involve volunteering at the local show, organising ANZAC Day marches, setting up work placement opportunities for students, and lending an ear to a student who feels they have no one else to speak to. 

What teacher made a difference to you as a learner, or someone who inspired you to teach?

My early piano teachers opened my eyes to the world of music; however, music classes for me at school were limited and pretty boring. After completing a Bachelor of Arts, and although not particularly inspired, I went on to do a DipEd. On my teaching placement I was sent to work with Rod Christian as my supervisor. This experience really changed me, Rod was absolutely brilliant and such a committed and passionate teacher – my mind was really blown as to the possibilities of teaching music. 

Why should teachers be proud of their profession?

The impact that teachers have is often underestimated, they often downplay their role saying things like ‘I’m just doing my job' or 'I'm just doing my bit’. Often they don’t realise until many years later, when a student does something that builds on the foundation they built at school, that they’ve really made a difference. I’ve been teaching for 25 years now and it gives me great pleasure to hear from my past students who are making great musical achievements; that’s when I think I must have done something right!

How do you make a difference to your student/learners?

This is something I have been reflecting on lately. I’m in the unique position where I have the opportunity to get to know students outside of the classroom with things like early-morning and weekend rehearsals and music camps. Getting to know them as people really helps develop the relationship, and so when something is not right with their learning I can draw on that relationship to help. So the key for me is really taking the time to build relationships. 

How do teachers makes a difference in your community?

Living in a regional community we’re a bit smaller and while the distance can be a challenge the people are just so great – I’m a big advocate for regional education. You see people you know everywhere, everyone’s interconnected. I’m a member of my church and the CWA and so I’m not just a teacher at school, I am modelling the good behaviour and professionalism of a teacher throughout the community. Teachers have a big role to play!