This year Elizabeth returned to the classroom teaching Year 5 at St Mark's School Inala. Read below as Elizabeth reflects on her long and distinguished career filled with connection, collaboration and friendship – always with Jesus as her role model.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I wanted to help students love school as much as I did. I knew from a young age that I wanted to make a difference in children’s lives, and I believed education was the key. My mother was a teacher. I spent a lot of time in her classroom before and after school, which gave me a strong understanding of the role and its impact.
What has been a highlight of your career?
One of the most special times was working as an Education Officer for Religious Education in the BCE Office. I loved teaching alongside my team to deliver the REAP In-service - an accreditation program for teachers of Religious Education, particularly those in the early stages of their careers. It was an absolute privilege to help teachers deepen their understanding of the Religious Education Curriculum and their relationship with Jesus.
Is there a moment with a student that stands out to you?
Students always remember your words to them, and they can have great impact. I once told a talented student that I was looking forward to reading her first published story. The student’s mother found me at a school and dropped off that story, published in her Year 12 school magazine, many years later! I had forgotten about the words I had spoken to the student, and that was a powerful reminder to always be very careful with my words. It was such a joy to read her work!
How has your career evolved over time?
I’ve worked in many different roles and discovered I was capable of far more than I imagined as a young teacher. I’ve always trusted the Holy Spirit to guide my path and have been grateful for every opportunity. I’ve been fortunate to work with incredibly talented and authentic people throughout my career. Their passion and integrity have inspired me every step of the way.
What year are you teaching this year?
This year, I am teaching Year 5, and I really enjoy this particular year level’s curriculum across all subject areas. We also enjoyed camp and interschool sports days as a Year 5 cohort. It has been a fulfilling year, and I am so grateful to my two teaching partners and their support of me in my return to teaching.
What is it like returning to the classroom after leadership roles in the BCE Office?
After nine years in the office environment, I was looking for a new challenge to take me through to the end of my career. I chose to return to the classroom and put into practice the Education Strategy initiatives which I had learnt about, as well as teaching the Religious Education curriculum to children, rather than teachers. It was an inspired decision! It’s been a joy. I’ve loved the journey to leadership, but returning to the classroom has brought a renewed sense of purpose and connection.
What advice would you give to early career teachers?
Generosity of heart is a wonderful quality, as you then appreciate all that is given in return. Building strong collegial relationships with school staff is essential as it assists you to work equally well in the fun times and the challenging times. When working with students, it is important to build trust so that students know you are there to help them be the best they can be. When students know you’re there to help them be the best they can be, they feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
What do you see are the biggest changes in education over your career?
Classroom furniture and classroom wall displays are so versatile and attractive, compared to the dull brown desks and handwritten paper charts my students had access to 40 years ago. The advances in technology, touch screen TVs and iPads mean that there are many more tools to use when teaching content. Students still love concrete materials and games of Uno, but also enjoy access to educational Minecraft and other learning apps.
I think that planning and reporting is much more streamlined and targeted than it was 40 years ago and I am really enjoying teaching Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum. The disciplined collection of data to inform teaching and learning has also grown over the years, and students seem to take on goal setting and feedback with more maturity. I can also say that marking the roll is SO much easier than the paper roll of 40 years ago!