08 Mar 2023
Why did you become a teacher?
So there’s a point in your life where you're about 15 or 16 and you realise that on the weekends that you're probably too old to be playing teachers anymore. And from there I was like why do I keep playing teachers? There must be something in this and some of my school teachers actually helped me with this and they were like actually, I think you might make a good teacher. And I was originally going to be a primary teacher and then I was going to be a PE teacher. But there were no jobs in that. So I became a Science teacher, because I got a scholarship. When my teachers said that I would be good at teaching I realised after a while, I was actually doing lots of variations of teaching around the town. I was teaching kids how to swim, I had my own sports session on a Friday afternoon and I would teach dance. And there’s something about the thrill that you get when someone's trying to work towards something and you help them achieve it, and they are buzzed so you're buzzed and I kinda got a bit hooked on that energy. So I decided that yup, teaching's for me and now when I teach I still get that buzz when someone gets it. I get so pumped. But I love interacting with people and actually education is power, so when you educate people you have the potential to change someone’s life. And I’ve actually seen first hand education doing that. So I want to be one of those people that can effect change and changing peoples lives, so that’s why I continue to be a teacher.
What was it like coming to JCS, then becoming DP so quickly?
Ahhh, not a lot of people know this, but I was a Deputy for about 18 months at Gilgandra, before I came here. So being a Deputy is not new to me, I already kinda know what the rigours can be and what is required of the job. I was not planning to be a DP here, it just kind of happened. I came here for a bit of a lifestyle change, the snow, and then this came up and I was like actually I really do like that position, I like being able to help teachers and students and parents and I get to effect change on a greater level than a classroom teacher. Plus I am kinda like a bit of a go getter, I just don’t like to sit and chill, I was like what's the next thing? What's the next challenge? So being a DP here, yup it's happened fast but, I’m loving it.
What is it like being DP and still teaching Year 12 Biology?
In one word. Hectic. Very hectic, but I would never change it. I love my Year 12 Biology class and it really means that I have to be on my game. I have to be super organised and prepared because you never know what your days are going to throw at you. I always like to be prepared and organised but, when your a DP teaching, you just got to up your game a little bit more. And it’s about working with your class so that they understand the rigours of their teacher being a DP. But for me they are my priority so I’m going to rock up for them everyday. But they also know that I’m going to rock up and they want to work with me too. So we work really well together and collaborate but pretty much. Hectic. You need to be planned and organised but I love those guys. I would have never given them up.
What is one thing you love to do, that is nothing related to your job?
My biggest thing is travel, I love to travel to different places. It can be in Australia or can be overseas. My biggest love is probably overseas travel though because you get to experience the adventure and thrill of the unknown. I just sometimes, you know I just like to get out and just randomly walk around and find what you find, and travel does that for me. You can experience new cultures, new ways of living and there’s something about trying to figure out how to use a terminal at a train station in a different country and figuring it out. It’s about that thrill of the unknown and going 'am I getting off at the right station?' And turns out my kids now have that, they’ve had a little bit of a taste and now they are like "where are we going next?" I’m trying to convince my husband to take me to America and Disneyland in the next big holidays.
How has being DP treated you?
I’ve had a bit of a crazy start, but that’s not because DP’s been crazy, the school’s been great and amazing. I’ve just had a lot on my plate with moving to a new house. I now own a house. Yay. My first house I’ve ever owned. I’m now an adult. And my husband's been working away a little bit, so just trying to organise that and having the rigors of being a Deputy at the same time as being a mum. Juggling those things has been a little bit difficult, but being DP here is exactly what I expected, the kids are great, you have your little hiccups here and there and you can sort those out but nothing too strenuous.
How will you and Mrs Henretty work with the SRC?
I like this question because, I think this is really important. Of course you guys will really want to know the answer to this. I think the word student voice is really thrown around a lot as a bit of a catch phrase and not true student voice. So I kind of want to work with the SRC to actually get what their thoughts are and not be tokenistic. We do have the new school coming up and I would like to work with Mrs Henretty, yourselves and the SRC to determine things maybe like uniform, logo and other bits and pieces that you can actually be involved in. There are some things that you are unable to have a voice in. But I’d really like you guys to have input in what you can have input in. So I know at the moment we’ve had the leaders and the SRC going up and doing the assembly so that you are more accessible showing and developing leaderships qualities. Because sometimes with leadership you have to speak in front of a lot of people and that’s a really important quality to have. So just developing those skills a little bit more in leadership is a really strong priority for me.
What is an event that you are most excited for in this upcoming term?
I have a few, they kinda go across the term and into the next term. I love the swimming carnival, athletics carnival and I’m really looking forward to the cross country, because I’ve never actually done a cross country carnival in a high school. I don’t know why we didn’t do it a my previous schools, but we didn’t. I’m really excited to feel the vibe and see what the kids do and what the teachers get to do, and get to know kids and students on a different level, that's not like I’m trying to teach you science. I’m also just really pumped for this year/moving forward as there are so many things that I’m like oooh we could do this to really progress the school forward in learning, in our expectations, and progress our school forward in our culture so that we can keep raising the bar and keep moving forward and for our growth and progress, there’s nothing better to see than students progress in their knowledge in some areas, but to do that we need to grow as teachers and progress as a school too. So I'm really pumped about being able to do all that.
Thank you Mrs West and we hope this helps inform the students and parents a bit more about you. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much and if anyone wants to know anything else about me feel free to ask me, I’m sure I will answer you because I like to talk. Thanks.