End of Year Reflection 2023

I have been working as a Casual Relief Teacher for 6 years now and have enjoyed and learned from the on-going challenges of that role at two primary schools. I'm now ready to follow a new path and look for a full-time Classroom Teaching position! I'm excited about this new chapter and looking forward to getting to know students in my own grade, and everything that comes along with that.

Collage Trees

Prep and Year 1 students practiced cutting triangles in three colours and loved arranging them in their own unique tree formation.

Cartoonist Incursion

Last term we had Brett Cardwell from Cardytoons come to Glen Katherine Primary School to teach students about cartoon drawing. Teachers may have also given it a try!

Grade 3 3D Nets

Cute Grade 2 Thorny Devils

Cellular Agriculture Professional Development

I've recently completed an Introductory Course on Cellular Agriculture. Cellular Agriculture allows us to create animal-derived products using cell-based biotechnologies, instead of whole animals. It presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to rewrite animal agriculture and have a positive impact on climate change, biodiversity loss, animal suffering and public health. It's important to teach students about the positive options, opportunities and technologies going forward as they consider ways they can help the planet navigate its many challenges.

2022 in Review

I continued to work at my two schools last year as a Casual Relief Teacher teaching Grades Prep (Foundation) to 6. Additional Professional Development last year included Spanish and Italian language lessons on Duolingo, weekly Online Ukulele lessons, Multisensory Learning for teaching literacy, and science and related meditation techniques for well-being via Dr. Joe Dispenza.

How to Teach Sustainability with Hope

This professional development short-course with Cool Australia was the best I've ever done! It gave me an approach, Hope Theory, which will make teaching sustainability and humane education easier in terms of tackling the big issues and problems in the world which are often completely overwhelming and depressing to think about, let alone trying to somehow fix. Highly recommended!!!

Humane Education Presentations: Professional Development

Recognizing that today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders — in business, education, government, social justice activism, and all spheres of public life — Farm Sanctuary is educating young hearts and minds about our modern food system. The natural sense of compassion that many youth possess for animals, combined with critical thinking skills and knowledge of our food system, is a powerful force for positive change. Studies have also shown that humane education has benefits for academic performance as well as student health and development. I viewed 5 hours of pre-recorded informative and engaging presentations for students of all ages. Pictured here is Stanton Steer who now lives a happy and healthy life at Farm Sanctuary.

Educating Boys, Educating Girls: Is there a difference?

Interesting PD webinar today on the differences between boys' and girls' learning, with a panel of education professionals. I learned some helpful facts to keep in mind that will help me better meet students' needs.

Couch Choir strikes again!

Here's a link to the latest Couch Choir singing gig I joined, so much fun! The song is called Better From Here.

The Resilience Project

I attended an online webinar entitled "Discovering Resilience" with Hugh Van Cuylenburg earlier this month. It has been 8 years since I first heard Hugh speak about his program at a primary school, and it has come a long way, better than ever. The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs to schools, sports clubs and businesses, providing practical, evidence-based mental health strategies to build resilience and happiness.

Self-portraits

Grade 3/4s constructed self-portraits, including a speech bubble describing their favourite things!

Professional Development 2022

So far this year I've attended a variety of online professional development sessions to increase my teaching and learning knowledge. These include music and drama activities for the classroom, new art supplies and resources, and a session to learn more about ADHD.

Keeping my creative projects going!

Three hour painting session with my adult children - lots of fun! At Brush by the Vines, Mill Park, Melbourne, Victoria.

Grade 1/2 Symmetrical Bugs