Julia

SEAHORSE TEACHER (YRS 1&2)

What is your background?

I grew up in the bush in a small country town on the NSW South Coast. My dad was the headmaster of an outdoor education school, so I spent my childhood exploring the thousands of acres of bushland surrounding my house, rock climbing, canoeing and hiking. It was a small community where everyone looked after everyone. I was raised with a deep connection to nature and to community. After finishing high school in the Southern Highlands, I moved to Sydney to study, and remained there for fifteen years, apart from a year studying in Barcelona and many travels. I moved up to the Northern Rivers with my little family two years ago and am relishing the opportunity to raise them with the same connection to nature and community that I was blessed with.

What do you remember best about primary school?

I had the most amazing teacher in Year 2, Annie Downes. She arrived one year from teaching in a remote Aboriginal community as a stranger with odd socks, a huge voice and a didgeridoo that she was gifted but would never play. She opened a whole new world to us and taught us everyday that learning was an adventure. I remember loving how social school was and loving working and playing with my peers every day.

What teaching qualifications do you have?

I completed a double degree at the University of Technology Sydney. I have a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.

Where else have you worked and how has it shaped your general outlook and your approach to teaching children today?

I spent my first ten years as a teacher and assistant principal at Vaucluse Public School in Sydney. Vaucluse was a small community school with an exceptional kitchen garden, three special education classes and a huge heart. I had the privilege of teaching and leading all stages and the opportunity to lead extracurricular activities. This was where I developed my conviction that the world is your classroom, built a wealth of experience and developed my belief that student wellbeing is at the core of education. I have spent the last two years relieving as assistant principal at Bangalow Public School. This was another amazing experience working in a small community. I learned a lot about learner dispositions and took advantage of the beautiful creek behind the school to

create our outdoor classroom. I am so excited to connect to the Byron community and take advantage of this incredible environment to base our learning and connecting.

What are your main teaching and classroom philosophies?

I believe that quality education is the ultimate freedom. When a child has access to quality, holistic education that raises the whole child, they have a world of open doors. I believe my role is to nurture, guide, challenge and empower students. Teaching in a student-centred, connected and authentic way nurtures students to become responsible, passionate, empowered individuals who connect to and contribute to the world around them.

What do you enjoy teaching the most?

That’s a hard one. I have always loved history and science because of the curiosity and wonder it evokes and the empowerment it gives rise to. I love teaching English because language is beautiful, and it unlocks worlds of expression and connection. I love teaching maths because I love the enormous sense of ability students feel when they become problem solvers. I love seeing students find calm in creative arts and explore different parts of their personality. I love teaching sports because of the team work and energy and excitement.

What is your greatest achievement?

My family. I have two beautiful daughters: Mabel is three and a half and Bonnie is one and a half and I still marvel every day that I created them.

What aspirations still lie ahead of you?

More travel, more adventure. I want to get back into surfing because it has been too long. I would love to grow my garden to the point where I can be self-sufficient.

What occupies your time outside school hours?

Raising my girls and raising my vegetable garden. When we are not gardening or building our house, my family spend our time camping, bushwalking and exploring all the beautiful waterholes the Northern Rivers have to offer.

If you weren’t a primary teacher, how do you think you’d be spending your days?

I would love to work with animals. We raised injured wildlife when I was growing up and that is something I would love to do again. Pottering in my garden.